In this post: Sunday School Details - Youth Choir Information - How to Register - Who is our new Curate for Children, Youth and Families?

Sunday School Kick Off: September 8!

Blessing of the Backpacks & Holy Smokes BBQ after Church.

Beloved St. John's Families,

I am so excited to reach out to you with some information about this coming year. There are already great things afoot for Children and Youth at St. John's. This past Saturday we had an energizing and engaging meeting of Sunday School Teachers and Volunteers.

Launching September 8:

Nursery
0 - PreK1
St. John’s provides care for children through Pre-K1 from 9:50 AM to 11:30 AM (or to when the 10:00 AM service ends). Our Nursery is staffed by our professional caregiver, Vikki Reres and volunteer parents.

Children’s Chapel & Godly Play
PreK2 to 3rd grade
Music, prayers, and a Godly Play story follow the same order of service as in the “big church,” all designed to be especially meaningful to young children. To reinforce the Godly Play story, craft and activity time will follow.

Elements of Faith
Grades 4-6
This group will be using a new curriculum called Shine. Each week it will focus on a different stories of god’s people. It also follows a liturgical model that begins in prayer, moves to scripture, and then engages the children in reflection.

Note: September 8 BOTH CLASSES will begin in the big church. BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 15 BOTH CLASSES will begin in their classrooms at 10am.

Blessing of the Backpacks!

Don't forget to bring your backpack to church on Sunday, September 8 for the Blessing of the Backpacks. This will happen first thing in the service before students process to Sunday School!

Stay tuned for information on Confirmation, the Taizé Trip in February, Family Fridays, a Youth Listening Session AND MORE......

St. John's Youth Choirs

Primary Choir
K - Grade 3
They rehearse 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, and sing in church monthly. They learn basic musical and vocal skills, as well as find joy in singing. Directed by Josie Greco.

Junior Choir
Grade 4 - Confirmation
They rehearse Wednesdays during the school year from 4:30-5:30 p.m., and sing in church monthly. In addition to preparing for the Sunday service, there is training in music reading and voice development. They also perform at the Sunday evening concert in December. Directed by Steve Finch.

Treble Choir
Skill-Based
This is a new choir for singers who are interested in mastering more challenging material. This choir meets after the Primary and Junior Choirs on Wednesday evenings. Directed by Josie Greco.

Choirs begin rehearsing Wednesday, September 11!

For more information contact:
Steve Finch, Director of Music
Josie Greco, Children's Music Leader

1. Come on Sunday or Wednesday night and update the information we have in our records for your family.
2. Online registration is now live! Click HERE to register online.

Who am I? An Introduction.

I am sure some of you are wondering who I am. I began working at St. John's August 1, so I am excited to get to know you all in the coming year!

Some facts about me: I was born in Albuquerque, NM, but have lived most of my life in New England. I grew up in the Episcopal Church. My mother is ordained a Deacon, and my father was always in the choir. Some of my best memories growing up are about time spent at church.

I graduated from Yale Divinity School & Berkeley Divinity School (the Episcopal program within YDS) in May. I was ordained a Deacon on June 1. I spent this summer living at a monastery in Cambridge, MA and then joined your community. It's been a whirlwind of a summer, so I am very glad to be finally rooted in one place.

Jesus shows us that children are very important to God. They are not only "the future of the church," but also its PRESENT. I am honored to be able to come alongside the many leaders at St. John's who know this and to work together to make this a place where children experience the love of God.

I am hoping to connect with as many of your individually as possible in the coming months. Let's get together for a lunch or coffee and you can help me get to know St. John's! Send me an email at [email protected].