Children's Programs
At St. Francis we believe that children, by virtue of their baptism, are full members of the Body of Christ. This means that they are full participants in our common life of prayer, witness and service. We welcome children and their families and seek to proclaim the Gospel in ways that let them receive and respond to God’s love. Our children’s ministries are designed to nurture children in their faith through education, fellowship and by allowing them to share their unique gifts with all of us. A robust children’s program awaits you at St. Francis. Register your child HERE.
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SUNDAY MORNING FAITH FORMATION
We are currently providing virtual worship for children. Sunday School lessons for preschool through 5th grade are held in our digital classroom. New lessons are posted every Sunday, available for families to view at their own convenience throughout the week. To get connected, please REGISTER HERE For more information, contact Leah Tedeschi. |
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Faith Formation for preschool through high school (In-person TBD)
Godly Play: Preschool through Kindergarten Grades 1-3 Connect Faith: Grades 4 and 5 Recognize Faith: Middle school Faith Talk: High school Classes are held each Sunday at 10 a.m. Following class time, children and youth join their families for the remainder of the church service and Holy Communion. |
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SUMMER PROGRAMS *Due to COVID restrictions, this will be virtual*
Beginning in mid-June, church school takes a break, and we begin our Summer programs, which are offered to all age groups on Sunday mornings. 
We will offer two separate classes:
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NURSERY CARE *Due to COVID restrictions, the nursery is closed until further notice*
Our nursery can be found next to the office and is staffed with experienced childcare providers every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. through 11:45 a.m. There is no cost for nursery care. Children ages 0-3 are always welcome either in the nursery or in church with their parents. 
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FAMILY EVENTS
Families are at the center of parish life at St. Francis. Some of the family events that take place throughout the year include: Faith Full Families group, Advent wreath making, neighborhood Christmas caroling, Christmas Pageant, Easter egg hunt, cookie baking, resurrection gardens, Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) pancake supper, Sunset Beach Campout, and Walk-for-Water. We always welcome new parents to join our CY&F (children, youth and family) Committee and help us organize and plan events. New ideas and creativity are always appreciated. Our motto for organizing events is “many hands make light work.”
Families are at the center of parish life at St. Francis. Some of the family events that take place throughout the year include: Faith Full Families group, Advent wreath making, neighborhood Christmas caroling, Christmas Pageant, Easter egg hunt, cookie baking, resurrection gardens, Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) pancake supper, Sunset Beach Campout, and Walk-for-Water. We always welcome new parents to join our CY&F (children, youth and family) Committee and help us organize and plan events. New ideas and creativity are always appreciated. Our motto for organizing events is “many hands make light work.”
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FAMILY WORSHIP SUNDAYS
On special days there is no church school, and children and adults worship together for a full-length service at 10:15 a.m. A good example is our annual St. Francis Day in October when everyone brings their pets (live or stuffed) for a special blessing of the animals. It’s not uncommon to see dogs, cats, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, snakes, chickens, and birds sitting in the pews. If your pet is too afraid to join us that day, please bring a picture of your pet to be blessed. |
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FAMILY & CHILDREN’S SPECIAL SERVICES
We mark the church year together with special family and children’s services including, Christmas Pageant, Christmas Family Service, Children’s Ash Wednesday, and Children’s Good Friday Service. Once a month, the children and youth will take part in the service as greeters, ushers, and readers. |
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JUNIOR CHOIR
Singers of all abilities, 4th through 5th grade, are invited to join the St. Francis Junior Choir. We have short practices after church one or two times per month. The Junior Choir performs several times during the school year. For some performances, members are dressed in choir robes provided by the church. We are always looking for new members to join the choir. If your child is interested, please send a message to Michael Burroughs, Director of Music. TEEN CHOIR
The teen choir is for students grades 6 through 12. There are short practices two times per month, and on other scheduled occasions as needed. Singers of all abilities are invited to join. The teen choir typically performs music that is a step up in difficulty from the Junior Choir, in accordance with the natural progression of leveled music experience. If your child is interested, please send a message to Michael Burroughs, Director of Music. |
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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Our VBS is postponed until June 2022, when we can safely be together for the full VBS experience. Please join us then for “Building Our Peaceable Kingdom” through Dr. Suess. |
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In the last full week of June, we team up with Willow Glen United Methodist Church down the street to co-host a camp-style Vacation Bible School. The fun includes worship, Bible stories, crafts, science, and play. Preschool-aged children through 5th graders (completed) are invited to participate. Each year we choose a theme to explore for the week. With 200 participants we can create hands-on learning experiences that can't be had in the church school classroom.
St. Francis teens and adults also participate as teaching assistants and activity leaders. This is a truly wonderful week where we celebrate God’s gift: our children. It’s especially fun to see our own St. Francis youth graduate from participant to volunteer and help with the young children. The volunteers who give their time to this event end up receiving just as much (if not more) as the young participants. This is a once-per-year event that you don’t want to miss.
St. Francis teens and adults also participate as teaching assistants and activity leaders. This is a truly wonderful week where we celebrate God’s gift: our children. It’s especially fun to see our own St. Francis youth graduate from participant to volunteer and help with the young children. The volunteers who give their time to this event end up receiving just as much (if not more) as the young participants. This is a once-per-year event that you don’t want to miss.
To get a glimpse of our VBS in person, click on our photo gallery from 2019
Compassion Camp
In 2020, we hosted our VBS virtually as a 5-week session with a video lesson for each week and provided all the necessary supplies for children to participate. From our table to our home to our neighborhood and beyond, we discovered ways we can cultivate compassion for each other, for ourselves and for the world.
To view a sample of Compassion Camp, visit compassioncamp.wgumc.org
In 2020, we hosted our VBS virtually as a 5-week session with a video lesson for each week and provided all the necessary supplies for children to participate. From our table to our home to our neighborhood and beyond, we discovered ways we can cultivate compassion for each other, for ourselves and for the world.
To view a sample of Compassion Camp, visit compassioncamp.wgumc.org
