Welcome!
St. Matthew’s has a vibrant and active Children, Youth, and Family Ministry program, which includes a rich variety of formation, fellowship, fun activities, and service opportunities for children and youth of all ages. We strive to teach young people to walk with the Gospel by gathering in intentional community, living out the Gospel through community engagement, and grappling with the scriptures in our daily lives.
We invite you to join us for one of the following offerings! For more information, please contact office@stmattsaustin.org.
To sign-up for our Children, Youth & Families specfic newsletter, subcribe here: http://eepurl.com/g-9SRL
Worship with Children
We extend a warm welcome to families with children as we worship together. We want you and your children to feel at home at St. Matthew’s! Red Busy Bags full of fun activities are available in the Sanctuary lobby to take to your seats. We also encourage you to visit Children’s Chapel in Room B-21 for a kid-friendly, interactive worship experience.
Need some extra wiggle room? The lobby can be a great place to move around or grab a snack—or visit the Baby’s Nest, a soundproof room in the balcony with gliders, infant toys, and a Pack ‘N Play, where you can still see and hear the service. Additionally, nursery care is provided in Room B-16 during worship and formation hours.
Children’s Chapel
Every Sunday, St. Matthew’s offers a child-centered worship service in Room B-21 designed to bring light of God’s love to the children in our church family. The scriptures are brought to life through engaging, interactive lessons and songs that remind us just how much God loves us! The children are invited to leave the main sanctuary at around 10:40 am (after the Collect of the Day is said), and they return to the space at the Exchange of the Peace.
Parents are always welcome to join the fun, especially if it is your child’s first time visiting Children’s Chapel. Want to know more? Interested in volunteering to help? Contact the Rev. Christine Brunson, cbrunson@stmattsaustin.org.
Godly Play
Each Sunday at 9:15 am in Room B-17, we offer Godly Play for children ages 3 and up. Godly Play is a type of Montessori religious formation, which is more akin to spiritual guidance than a typical Sunday School class. Children are surrounded with beautiful objects that help tell the stories of God, God’s people, and the Liturgical actions of the Episcopal tradition. There are several key parts to a Godly Play session:
- Children are greeted at the threshold by an adult mentor who helps them get ready to enter the sacred space.
- A story is presented by an adult mentor using the beautiful objects found on the shelves.
- Children respond verbally to the story through open-ended wondering questions.
- Children respond to the story by choosing their work for the day (work is considered serious play).
- Children say prayers and share a feast of simple foods and drinks.
- Children say goodbye and receive a blessing from the adult mentors.
You can view many of the Godly Play stories by visiting the Godly Play Foundation YouTube channel.
For more info about Godly Play, please contact the Rev. Christine Brunson, cbrunson@stmattsaustin.org.
Vaction Bible Study (VBS)
June 23-27th VBS: Road Trip – On the Go With God
To register participants ages 3 – 5th grade, click here.
We are so glad your child is going to join us this summer for Road Trip: On the Go with God! VBS is June 23-27, 2025 from 9:00-12:00 and the cost is $75 with the option to stay until 1:00 for an extra fee. There are 4-5 activity stations each day plus the opening and closing assembly (with LOTS of music) and a snack. We look forward to having your child!
To register as a volunteer (rising 6th graders and older), click here.
We are so excited you have decided to volunteer at Road Trip: On the Go with God!! VBS is June 23-27, 2025 from 9:00-12:00. We serve our volunteers lunch from 12:00-1:00 everyday as a thank you for your gift of time and energy. MANDATORY Volunteer Training will be held on Sunday, June 8 1:00-2:30PM.