Children, Youth, & Families

Children

The goal of children’s ministry at Trinity is to witness, validate, and celebrate the divine light shining through each child. We aim to provide space for children to express themselves and explore their unique gifts and talents, which make the world a better place.

Nursery: up to age 3
The Nursery will be open on Sundays from 9:45am to 12:15pm.

Kids Garden: Pre-K, JK & Kindergarten Children will use games, crafts, and music to learn Bible characters and stories, church seasons and holidays, and practices foundational to our faith.

Godly Play: Grades 1 & 2
Through Montessori-style learning, children hear Bible stories told beautifully, followed by wondering questions and self-directed play or art.

G345: Grades 3, 4 & 5
In G345, grades 3-5 begin reading directly from the Bible, focusing on one of the Gospels each year to learn about Jesus’s life. This year we will read Matthew! We use figures to tell the story, do crafts, and play games.

PRISM: Grades 6 & 7
In PRISM, grades 6 & 7 read the Hebrew Bible and apply the stories to challenges in their lives. We do reading activities, play games, and do crafts.

Register for Sunday School!

If you have children from birth through 7th grade, please complete the Sunday School Registration Form. Providing up-to-date information is helpful to be sure we meet the needs of each child.

Children, Youth, and Family Newsletter

Sign up for a monthly newsletter of upcoming events and information. Friends and family are always welcome.

Youth

We celebrate the changes that teenagers experience as we help them grow toward maturity.

Trinity’s youth program starts in middle school, and continues through high school.

The youth take part in a four-year program that includes confirmation and culminates in a pilgrimage. Previous groups have gone to Scotland, Italy, the Dominican Republic, Canada, South Dakota, Calgary/Banff, Rome and Assisi.

This program is divided into two, two-year components, Rite-13 (which will include Confirmation) and Journey to Adulthood (J2A).

Rite-13, for eighth and ninth grade teens, works to establish and maintain cross-gender friendships, establishes the church as a safety zone in the midst of an evolving time in teens’ lives, and builds a group with shared experiences and memories.

Journey to Adulthood (J2A), for tenth and eleventh graders, celebrates the transition from teen to adulthood, trains young people in the skills of adulthood, explores the mystery of our faith heritage, and establishes our experience in the strength of community and liturgy. J2A focuses on active listening, negotiation, assertion, research/information management, partnership, and leadership.

At the end of J2A, teens go on a spiritual pilgrimage. The pilgrims participate in mission work, community living, and explore the local area of the pilgrimage site. The most recent pilgrimages have been to Iona, Scotland; Juneau, Alaska; Rome, Italy and Banff Alberta Canada. Teens help pay for their travel expenses by participating in a number of volunteer activities and fundraisers, including cookie bakes, car washes, and Mother’s Day flower sales.

Children & Youth in Worship

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

During the 10am worship service, children follow a priest and/or adult leaders to the children’s chapel during the Gospel Procession, where they hear the story, play games, sing, and say the creed. They return at the Peace in time for Eucharist.

Trinity Choristers

Children at least 8 years of age or in the third grade are eligible to become Trinity Choristers. Choristers sing at the 10:00AM service three Sundays/month (September through Trinity Sunday) as well as holidays, Evensong, and concerts.

Acolytes

Acolytes are lay worship leaders that carry the Gospel, torches, banners, and cross in the processions. All children in grade 4 and above are welcome!

The Rite of Confirmation

Confirmation is a sacramental rite in which a bishop lays hands on the participant, symbolizing the connections we have through the Body of Christ that is our church community and the strengthening of the Holy Spirit within us.

Details to come for youth & confirmation.

Parents + Families

Parents in Conversation

We provide time and space for parents to connect on Sunday mornings, while kids are in their formation classes. Some weeks, we offer a structured discussion on a pre-defined topic. Some weeks, it is enough just to have an uninterrupted chat with other parents to share your tips & tricks, hopes & fears. Join with other parents in the Fortune Room, grab a cup of coffee and a chair and join the conversation! NOTE: This group will not meet during summer months.

Family Events

The Children and Families Leadership Team meets regularly and is planning family events for the upcoming year. Stay tuned for more information.