Godly Play
All children in preschool through sixth grade are invited into our community of spiritual development, imagination, and friendship. At Epiphany, our Children’s Ministry uses a program called Godly Play. Godly Play uses storytelling, play and creation, and wondering to invite children into spiritual practice, and into the knowledge and traditions of the church. The lessons, presented as stories with tactile props, value imagination and children are invited to work with these stories in various ways — drawing, clay, play, writing — as they make these stories their own.
Our Godly Play P&K class is held in the Chapel (next to the sanctuary) and is for children in preschool and kindergarten.
Our Story Makers 123 class is held in Upper Parish Hall (above the Chapel) and is for children in first, second, and third grade.
Our Explorers 456 class is held in the Garret (upstairs) and is for children in fourth, fifth, and sixth grade.
Our Church School year runs from September through May. We have an open-door policy for parents to join us anytime.
New to Epiphany? We invite children to join at any time of the year.
Tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and God’s might, and the wonders that God has done.
Mark 10:16
Midweek
Every first and third Wednesday of the month, September through May, our whole church gathers together in community. We begin at 6:15 pm with an intergenerational dinner, followed by fellowship and children’s programming for those in preschool and elementary school. Children are invited to a time of musical enrichment with our Music Director, including a fun introduction to handbells, and a time of creative, hands-on art and STEM exploration with our Director of Children’s Ministry. During this time, adults and youth are invited to gather for a clergy-led Bible study that is rooted in asking questions, exploring answers, and growing in faith.
Worship
We believe that worship is innate for children, and that attending worship services is core to a child’s development and articulation of faith. Children are a joyful and integral part of our worshiping community. Children of all ages are always invited to every worship service, and the natural energy and sounds of children are welcome in our sanctuary. Children’s Worship Bags are available in the narthex (the entrance to the church sanctuary) to help guide children’s worship experience. All people, including children of every age, are invited to partake of Communion. The weekly Children’s Sermon is a highlight of every 10:00am Sunday Worship service.
On the first Sunday of every month, intergenerational worship is in lieu of Church School classes. Children and their families join the entire 10:00 am service of worship in the sanctuary, and children are invited to participate in meaningful ways: welcoming worshipers, doing readings, collecting the offering, and acting as acolytes.
Communion Enrichment
At Epiphany, all people of all ages are invited to participate in the sacrament of Communion. For families with children in second through fifth grade, we offer a Communion Enrichment program each year in January. The Communion Enrichment program is a time when we learn about the meaning of Communion, its history, and how it fits into our liturgy and theology. It is a hands-on, fun, and meaningful time together.
Parents/caregivers are asked to be part of this experience along with their child. It is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your relationship with other families in your child’s age group, to walk in faith with your child, and to revisit the meaning of Communion yourself. The program is led by clergy and staff, and is open to children in grades two through five.
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
1 Corinthians 11:26
Children's Christmas Pageant
Each year, our Christmas pageant is held on Christmas Eve at the 4:00 pm family worship service. All children (including our tiniest ones) are invited to be part of this special service. No experience is necessary: our pageant is not a show or performance but rather it is a special way in which the children lead worship and share our holy scriptures.
There are short speaking roles (such as Mary, Joseph, the Angel Gabriel, and others), as well as ensemble roles such as sheep, shepherds, and angels, who do not speak and participate as a group. We also welcome a few parents as shepherds and angels, who carry their participating babies or help us to support the children.
We practice our pageant on the three Sundays leading up to Christmas Eve, from 11:30 am to 12:15 pm, and on Christmas Eve at 2:45 pm (so it is fresh in our memories). We also welcome last-minute additions and visitors to join in the fun and celebration.
Bryn Hollenbeck
Director of Children’s Ministry & Parish Life
Meet Our Director
Bryn is our Director of Children’s Ministry & Parish Life. Ask her about anything related to kids, families, or community events like Midweek or our Parish Weekend Away. If you have questions about our nursery, church school, or family formation, she is the staff person to ask!