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The
children of St. Paul’s are respected as an integral link
to the future of the church. All are welcome in the worship
service. The whimper of a newborn and the restlessness of a
toddler are welcome reminders of our responsibilities as a congregation
through prayer and witness to see that all children grow in
Christ. The entire congregation is actively involved in the
lives of all our children and we frequently celebrate their
successes through graduations, confirmations, Sunday school
picnics and holiday celebrations.
Our children’s education is nurtured through their involvement
in the various elements of worship, parish life and community
service. From age 9, nearly all of our children participate
as acolytes. Our acolytes are committed and always anxious to
serve not only on Sunday mornings but also to volunteer for
weddings, funeral and diocesan events. Middle school and high
school students serve as ushers, lay readers and choir members.
Our teenagers are very active in community service and have
become a very valuable resource. They recently completed a Spanish/English
picture dictionary that they presented to the local domestic
violence shelter. Other organizations have expressed interest
in their dictionary and they have sold copies as a fundraiser.
Our youth programs include a nursery for the infants and toddlers
during the second service each Sunday. Organized Sunday school
classes are conducted from September to May each year. We have
participated and/or created a Vacation Bible School for our
students each year. The toddlers (2, 3, and 4) class includes
stories, crafts and playtime. The “Seasons of the Spirit”
curriculum is the foundation for the pre-school through Grade
6 classes. The junior/senior high class has been in a period
of transition during the 2004/2005 school year. As all members
of this class are active in school and extra-curricular activities,
this class evolved into a youth group format, which meets once
a month on Sunday afternoon. |
