Children & Families
Vacation Bible School
Stellar: Shine Jesus’ Light
June 26-29, 9:00am -12:00 pm
Registration is now open for our 2023 summer Vacation Bible School! You can find registration information at the link below. Teen and adult volunteers are needed and can sign up using the same link. Teen volunteers receive service hours for participating.
A community who grows...
St. Luke’s children, youth, and family ministries show Christ’s love through the following values:
Inclusivity – Striving to love others as Christ loves us; all are welcome.
Intentionality – Building the kingdom of God by purposely engaging with the church and surrounding areas through consistent programming and events.
Service – Reaching outside ourselves by engaging the community, meeting people’s needs, and spreading the gospel with our hands and feet.
Nursery Care is available from 8:45 – 12:15 for infants through 4 year old’s. Throughout the morning, our loving nursery staff reads terrific bible storybooks and good literature, lead singing, and have centers open that invite open-ended play including art, drama, sensory, library, blocks, sensory, playdoh, and more.
Pre-K through 5th grade offerings
St. Luke’s Church strives to provide an atmosphere where children can feel safe, valued, loved, and be nurtured in their growing relationship with Jesus. The goal of the Children & Family Ministry Team is also to help children deepen their relationship with God, learn about the love and grace of Jesus Christ, and become active members in the church. The following programs are available during the school year. The nursery is open for childcare year round.
Pre-K - 2nd Grades
Godly Play (Room 202)
This Fall, we have decided to keep our PreK – 3rd graders together in a combined Godly Play and Communion Instruction Class for students, teachers, and parents. In a season where families are still regathering and redefining why we all do what we do, it seemed the most fitting response to provide for those who are currently coming.
During our time together, we will highlight important stories throughout the Bible and our liturgical calendar that show how we are all connected as God’s family and how God has shown love to His people over time. Open-ended supplies are set up for choosing work or play that connects with the story. We Revised our Fall Schedule of Lessons to include Communion Instruction – a chance for children and parents to learn more about what we do in worship and why we do it!
On November 13th participating 1st grade parents are invited to the 11am service to take communion with your child as the class experiences their “first” communion together and receive a blessing. We have special intentions for that hour that include you! Be sure to register here so we can send details.
3rd - 5th Grade
Worship 101 &
Journey Through the Bible
(Room 215)
Each Fall, this class begins the school year learn the reasons behind Church rituals and traditions. There will be a component of acolyte training involved for those who are interested in serving on Sunday mornings or learning about how to serve as an acolyte. We meet in the Narthex, then progress to all areas of the nave for first-hand experiences. When the Worship 101 sessions are complete, this class continues into Journey through the Bible!
Journey with us through the whole Bible in two years in an exciting interactive class. Students will be challenged in amazing ways to know where to find stories, seek understanding, and most importantly, look up Bible verses. The Students will test their skills against each other in fun ways. Join us for the journey and see the Bible like you never imagined!
Celebrating Milestones
We celebrate many milestones through life, and St. Luke's is happy to celebrate them with you. These are some of the milestones we celebrate in the lives of our young people throughout the year. If you would like to keep up to date on these and other events, subscribe to our weekly email newsletter on our homepage.
Baptism
Baptism is the initiation into the Christian faith. Through water and the Holy Spirit we are baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection. In the Episcopal Church we baptize people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Baptism is full admission to Holy Communion, regardless of age.
If you would like to inquire about baptism for yourself or your child at St. Luke’s, contact our Ministry Associate Sara Spreen at saras@stlukes-sa.net.
Parent / Baby Blessing
During the Peace the priest will say a special prayer of blessing.
Two-year Old Bibles
Two-year-olds and their families are invited forward during the 9 am and 11 am services for a special prayer and for the presentation of a Bible.
5th Grade Bible Presentation / Step Up Sunday
Graduating 5th graders and their families are invited forward during the 9 am and 11 am services for a special prayer and for the presentation of a Bible. Afterward, as a rite of passage, the graduates are invited to our youth room to add their handprints to our wall.
Communion Class
Offered every Fall. Children are led in discussion and demonstration of what we do in worship and why. As a culminating event, families are invited to sit up front and come forward during communion as each student receives a special blessing and recognition during their “first communion” of our 11 am worship service.
Groups for Parents
Our commitment to supporting families extends to the spiritual and social lives of parents as well. More opportunities for family fellowship will be added throughout the year. Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter to learn about them.
Monday Moms
Join St. Luke’s Monday Moms’ Group for friendship, fellowship, coffee talk, and book discussions. Meetings are on Mondays beginning September 12 from 9 – 11 am in the church Parlor. Breakfast and childcare are provided by our nursery staff. Friends, neighbors, and non-members welcome! Connect with us on our Facebook page.
Family Bible Study and Prayer Groups
We have not launched any of these small groups yet, but are gauging interest. The idea is that each small group would have two leaders. Families could take turns hosting a light potluck dinner then short study and prayer time. Timeframe suggestions might be either early enough to include little ones such as from 5:30-7:30 or waiting until 7:30-9:30 when little ones are settled in for the night with a sitter. Groups can meet weekly or bi-weekly. Leaders of these groups would commit to taking notes and emailing the group once a week with upcoming plans and prayer requests and to coming to two leadership training sessions a year. Resources will be provided.
DWTX Formation Resources for Children & Youth
Visit the resource guide created by our diocese’s Christian Formation Committee to find Bible and book recommendations, studies and links to sites that empower you and your children in your faith journey as a family and more.
Volunteer Information
Children & Family Ministries Team
Our leadership team helps develop our ministry, programs, and events throughout the year. We currently have a small, but mighty committee that currently includes ministry leaders from Monday Mom’s, our nursery superintendent, and parents. As we expand, we are defining roles such as appointing a point person for each program, outreach, or event we host. If you have a heart for hospitality and serving our children and families, please prayerfully consider joining our committee.
If we follow last year’s plan, we meet once a month at 11am (after Monday Mom’s) until 12:00 with a light lunch. Part of this decision was to include Paula Garcia, our nursery superintendent and Moms who were already on campus. That being said, we would love to include working Parents and Guardians with older children, too so we are considering moving our monthly meeting to another timeframe. Please contact Kris Spilker at kristines@stlukes-sa.net to learn more.
Sunday School Teachers
In order to keep to the safeguarding standards expected by our diocese and for the sake of camaraderie, we are still building our teaching teams. Teaching is a mutual blessing! If you have a spirit of learning and are interested in helping us lead, please pray about becoming a teacher or assistant during our 10 am formation hour.
