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Raising our Children
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It takes a Church to raise a child! Many studies have shown that regular participation in the life of a Church benefits children in all sorts of ways. In addition to learning about God, children are more likely to succeed in school, avoid unhealthy behaviors, and describe themselves as happy. At Saint David's we do our best to offer our children a range of ways to stay involved.
Children's Christmas Pageant 2022
CREATION CARE KIDS’ CORNER: - Back to School by Mary Moore
Whether you walk or ride to school, here are some things to look for when you are outside this month. Homeschooled kids can expand on this and make it a science lesson. A lot of songbirds are migrating south. This is a good time to watch for birds that you don’t usually see here because they have been spending their summer further north in Canada and are now just passing through on their way back south. An example is the white-crowned sparrow. If you see an unusual sparrow that has black and white stripes on the top of its head, then congratulations; it is most likely one of these. (Springtime is another chance to look for out-of-the ordinary birds, as they head from the south to places north of here.) Ladybugs might be gathering on your house trim as they try to find ways to get into the house for the winter. Aster flowers - these provide needed food for bees, especially now that a lot of summer flowers have gone to seed or died. The flowers are typically about the size of a dime, and they look somewhat like miniature white or light purple daisies. You won’t see as many bats as you might have during the summer. They are either migrating to caves in the area or heading south. The sun is rising later and setting earlier. It is also starting to get lower in the sky than it was compared to in June and July especially. (It will be at its lowest point in the sky about the third week of December.)
Activity: Check and record the length of the shadow of a tall object such as an upright yardstick, or an adult, once a week, roughly in the same place and at the same time of day each time you measure. Midday is a good time to do this - you want to avoid doing this at sunrise or sunset, because these times will be changing. Keep at it at least until February if you can, even longer if you want to. Does the shadow’s length stay the same, get longer, or get shorter? Why do you think this happens?
Get outside and enjoy God’s creation!
Whether you walk or ride to school, here are some things to look for when you are outside this month. Homeschooled kids can expand on this and make it a science lesson. A lot of songbirds are migrating south. This is a good time to watch for birds that you don’t usually see here because they have been spending their summer further north in Canada and are now just passing through on their way back south. An example is the white-crowned sparrow. If you see an unusual sparrow that has black and white stripes on the top of its head, then congratulations; it is most likely one of these. (Springtime is another chance to look for out-of-the ordinary birds, as they head from the south to places north of here.) Ladybugs might be gathering on your house trim as they try to find ways to get into the house for the winter. Aster flowers - these provide needed food for bees, especially now that a lot of summer flowers have gone to seed or died. The flowers are typically about the size of a dime, and they look somewhat like miniature white or light purple daisies. You won’t see as many bats as you might have during the summer. They are either migrating to caves in the area or heading south. The sun is rising later and setting earlier. It is also starting to get lower in the sky than it was compared to in June and July especially. (It will be at its lowest point in the sky about the third week of December.)
Activity: Check and record the length of the shadow of a tall object such as an upright yardstick, or an adult, once a week, roughly in the same place and at the same time of day each time you measure. Midday is a good time to do this - you want to avoid doing this at sunrise or sunset, because these times will be changing. Keep at it at least until February if you can, even longer if you want to. Does the shadow’s length stay the same, get longer, or get shorter? Why do you think this happens?
Get outside and enjoy God’s creation!
Sunday school teachers at St. David’s are “Safe Church” trained and offer class each Sunday during the 10:00 a.m. service from September to June. Children ages 3 to preteen are invited to participate in the Sunday school classes. We do have a nursery for parents to bring their younger children during the service. During the opening hymn, the teacher of the day leads the children to the classroom. Teachers follow the “Deep Blue” curriculum which includes opportunity for children to give an offering, learn a bible lesson, watch a DVD, play games, do crafts and have a snack. Children return to the church service after the sign of peace and sit with their grown-up.
Some youth events include:
Some youth events include:
- · September – Kick Off Day for Sunday School (usually the Sunday after Labor Day)
- · October – Bowling and Trunk or Treat
- · November – After church activity (for example: a story and painting of bird houses)
- · December – Breakfast with Santa
- · January – Game Day with Pizza after church
- · February – Slime Day
- · March – Bowling
- · April – Good Friday Children’s Stations of the Cross/Egg Hunt
- · May – Mother’s Day Brunch after church
- · June – Father’s Day Ice Cream Sundaes at coffee hour
Children's Events Through the Years
Christian Education
We offer Sunday School during the 10:00 service every week. A dedicated crew of teachers base the lessons on a carefully chosen curriculum. Children as young as two can participate, depending on the child. (We have a nursery for younger children.) Our normal age range is about five to ten.
Children's Choir All interested children ages 4 and up are welcome to participate. They practice every week at 11:15 - 11:30 on Sunday mornings beginning March 1, 2020 in preparation for their performance at the Easter Sunday Service. Confirmation and First Communion We offer First Communion and Confirmation classes for older children as needed. |
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Seasonal Events
We have a regular cycle of special events for our children as well as children in the community. All events are free.
Beginning at the start of the Christian year (Advent, which happens in December), they are: Breakfast with Santa: Children play games, have a snack, receive a present, and meet the big man. Children’s Stations of the Cross and Easter Egg Hunt: It is a strange combination that works. We begin by talking about the meaning of the crucifixion. We end with an Easter Egg Hunt. In between are lots of fun and educational events. Halloween Party: We invite children to come in costume for an evening of games, ending with trick-or-treating around the Church. It’s a fun way to get lots of candy fast! |
