Children, Youth & Families
At Grace, the Clergy & Staff are committed to providing a safe community for all and follow the ECWO (Episcopal Church of Western Oregon) Diocesan policies of Safe Church.
All children are welcomed in our Worship services where they will find that they are loved, valued, and uplifted.
Children and Youth Ministry at Grace exist in order to nurture a love of Jesus, love of neighbor, and love of self; to foster intergenerational friendship and discipleship; to encounter church and scripture reverently, playfully, and sometimes critically; to celebrate questions, wonderings, and even doubts as expressions of faith; and to do all these things via the lens of the Episcopal tradition.
The Children’s Ministry program at Grace offers activities outside of our Worship services for children, youth, and their families.
We look forward to seeing you and your child(ren) at some of these enriching, kid-friendly, spiritual opportunities!
Be sure to pick up a Children’s Bulletin when you come on Sunday morning! These are from Illustrated Ministry.
Stay tuned for updates
through
Grace Notes,
our regular email mailings
& announcements!
Exciting things are happening in Children and Youth Ministry at Grace!
Church School
During the “word” portion of the service (i.e., the part up to the sharing of the Peace), we will once again be offering Church School. Our general practice will be to meet at 10am – in our newly renovated chapel – to share in a time of fun, faith, and learning. We’ll then rejoin the rest of the congregation for the Eucharist.
Illustrated Ministry
One of the resources that will be available for Church School – and that is available now, you may have seen it in the pews – is that of Illustrated Ministry. Illustrated Ministry creates coloring pages and other creative tools that follow the lectionary (i.e., our schedule of readings from one Sunday to the next). Crayons are here. Or bring your own!
The Nursery
For younger children, the nursery reopened on Easter. Drop off your kids with our Nursery Coordinator, and enjoy church. Or come a little early and just enjoy an hour of childless time before church (you could visit, drink coffee, or just chill out). Childcare begins at 9am.
The Lego Table
Some of you have already discovered the Lego Table – thank you Dan and Liz for making it possible. There are marvelous opportunities to play and, maybe, to discover some of scripture’s heroes and villains in minifig form.
The Parish Retreat
Once a year, we take a parish family retreat to Camp Magruder or other places. Stay tuned for more information!
-The Reverend Martin Elfert