Home -> Programs -> Children's Education at Saint John's

Ellen Harrington, Children's Education Director

Sunday Morning Program
Nursery Care
About the Godly Play curriculum
First Sundays
Children’s Choir

Sunday Morning Program

8:45 – 11:30 a.m. Nursery Care for infants to age 3

(September - May)
9:00 a.m. Children’s Choir Rehearsal in the Music Room
Children from grades 1 through 6.

(September - May)
9:45 a.m. Weekly except the first Sunday of each month
Godly Play for children from age 4 through sixth grade
in the second floor class rooms of parish hall.

10:00 a.m. on the first Sunday of each month
Children join their families for worship
Children’s Choir participates in the service

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Nursery Care

Sunday mornings the nursery, located in the undercroft area (lower level of the church), is staffed from 8:45 to 11:30 a.m. Children from infants to age 3 are lovingly cared for.

Child care is provided for many other services and programs during the year and is announced in conjunction with the event.

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About Godly Play

Godly Play is a Montessori-based approach to religious education.

On Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. (except the first Sunday each month) children from age 4 through sixth grade gather in age groups in a Godly Play room on the second floor of the parish hall. These rooms are sacred, beautiful spaces. Trays of story materials on low shelves surround the circle of children. Children are encouraged to enter the room with reverence.

Each Godly Play group begins with singing and a biblical story is presented in each class room using materials of wood and cloth, sand and stone. Children are invited to enter and find a place in the story, making it their own. The teacher asks wondering questions, such as “I wonder what part of this story you like best?” “I wonder what is most important?” “I wonder what part of the story is about you?”

Children have time to respond to the presentation by working with art or story materials. The group gathers back in the circle to pray around the Christ candle before joining their families in church for communion.

On the fourth Sunday of each month children stay in Godly Play during the whole 10 a.m. service and join their families following the service. This Sunday allows the group to share a feast of bread and juice and build community with one another.

Everyone is always welcome to visit Godly Play. We invite family adults to assist the storyteller at least once each year. This helps our families understand and become familiar with Godly Play.

Teaching Godly Play is a rich experience. We are blessed with a dedicated, seasoned group of storytellers who meet regularly to support each other and learn. If you are interested in finding out more about this ministry, please contact Ellen Harrington.

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First Sundays

The first Sunday of each month there is no Godly Play and children worship together with their families. The First Sunday service follows an age-inclusive pattern, using language from the New Zealand Prayer Book and familiar music. The Children’s Choir sings as a group and young people serve as lectors and prayer leaders. Families make and present communion bread and offer food shelf donations.

Coffee hours following First Sunday services are hosted by Godly Play families. Simple seasonal activities for children and adults are provided. These occasions allow people of all ages to meet and know each other.

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Children’s Choir

The choir rehearses weekly at 9 a.m. in the Music Room. Children in grades 1-6 are welcome to join at any time.

This choir sings at First Sunday services during the program year and helps lead the singing in Godly Play.

For further information or to volunteer in this program, please contact
Ellen Harrington, Children's Education Director

651-228-1172

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