Children, Youth, and Families

Children and Family Activities – ON HOLD

We have said thank you and good-bye to Melinda and Jonathan for their inspired leadership and conscientious work as our Youth Ministry. Godspeed and best wishes for next year!

*Intergenerational Services — ON HOLD

One Sunday each month we will hold a single, Intergenerational Service at 10:15 (a new, later time), celebrated by our entire congregation, and followed by a time of eating and fellowship for all.

Youth Book Group — ON HOLD

We are reading Monique Gray Smith’s teen edition of Braiding Sweetgrass adapted from the book by Robin Wall Kimmerer. We look forward to discussing the book with members of the Adult Ed group, who will read the original version at the same time.

The Youth Book Club has also read:

The Faithful Spy, a graphic novel about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The story of German pastor and Nazi resistor Dietrich Bonhoeffer comes to life in this award-winning graphic novel from John Hendrix
Becoming RBG by Debbie Levy: a graphic novel about Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The Night Diary, Primates by Veera Hiranandani: a graphic novel about Jane Goodall and other well-known female primatologists
Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson: a novel that tracks the friendships between six fifth-graders when given the opportunity to get to know each other.

Completed Activities — Fall/Winter of 2022/23:

Sunday, September 11: The Youth Book Club will meet after the 10:15 service. We will watch a movie and have a meal to finish last year’s book.

Sunday, September 25 at 9:30 Please join our Intergenerational Service that includes Blessing of the Backpacks, followed by Make-Your-Own-Sundaes!!

Sunday, October 9: First service project of the year – Diaper Drive! (9:30, between services); youth book club to follow 10:15 service

Sunday, October 23: Intergenerational service, 10:15, with a creation care theme, followed by harvest and local food snacks; youth book club to follow

January

15th, 10:15 – Intergenerational Service
29th, 9:00 – Single service followed by annual meeting; join us in baking treats for the annual meeting during part of morning service

February

12th, 9:15 – Service project between services: Making Valentine’s cards for those who need cheering up this season
19th, 10:15 – Intergenerational service followed by a pancake brunch (“Ash Sunday”)

March

5th, 9:15 – (between services) Intergenerational Service Project: Build/paint a “Little Free Pantry” for St. Mark’s to fill for the surrounding community. Click for more information
19th, 10:15 – Intergenerational service celebrating St. Patrick and Celtic traditions
April
- 2nd, 10:00 – Laying of Palms for Palm Sunday, activity during 10:15 service
- 8th (Saturday), 4:00 – Intergenerational Easter Vigil, 4:00

Our commitment: Children Welcome!

Good-bye and Thank You to the Directors of Children and Youth programs, Jonathan Knock and Melinda Corey

Our Directors of Children and Youth programs, Jonathan Knock and Melinda Corey have “retired” as coordinators of the program, which in the past has included the following:

Outreach projects like making cards for ill and home-bound community members
Hands-on activities such as making Advent Wreaths, while learning about the symbols of preparation for Christmas
Helping during services as ushers and greeters, while participating in the Eucharist and listening to the sermon
Telling the stories of the Bible and reflecting together, as we learn together the great stories of our faith
Reading and discussing books together over cocoa at our Middle School Book Club