Children & Youth
Kids, Youth & Families
A Supportive Place for Children
Ministries with children, youth, and families are important at St. Paul’s. We believe in creating supportive, nurturing environments for curiosity, wonder, and joy so that our kids know that God loves them. Children and youth at St. Paul’s have opportunities to make friendships with each other, learn about the Christian tradition, and serve the community.
Learning for Children: Godly Play
Children in Pre-K through 5th or 6th grade have the opportunity to leave the 10 am service and participate in Godly Play, or Children’s Church. Godly Play is a Montessouri-based storytelling curriculum that teaches the core stories of scripture while inviting curiosity and wonder. Children interact with high-quality wooden figures, respond with artwork, and pray for one another and their community. Classes meet during the school year.
Middle School Youth Group
Middle School youth meet twice a month on Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm. A meal is served for the whole family at 6 pm. Middle School youth group is a space for learning and socializing. Students may join this group when they feel ready, which is typically in 5th or 6th grade. In this group, students begin working with adult Bibles, engaging with some of the paradoxes in scripture, and learning prayer practices. Students also have the opportunity to participate in service projects and form friendships.
Confirmation & High School Group
Students in high school are invited to participate in the Confirmation Class. Confirmation is a time to engage the Christian faith as a young adult, forming one’s own commitment or understanding of the faith. Confirmation is a two year process that involves bi-weekly classes, a mentor, worship attendance, service projects, and exploration of other faiths. Confirmation is also a time to ask questions, deepen friendships with peers, and develop a web of intergenerational relationships within the church. At the end of the class, students may choose to be confirmed by the bishop at a special service.
High school students who have already been confirmed are invited to participate as mentors in other groups, work in the nursery, or participate in adult small groups.
Ministries for Children & Youth
Acolytes
Acolytes serve at the altar on Sunday mornings and support the worship ministries of the church. They carry the cross and processional candles, assist in setting the Eucharistic table, and support baptism. About 3/4 of all the youth at St. Paul’s serve in this vibrant ministry. Acolytes celebrate at the end of the year with a party.
Other Worship Ministries
When a child decides that it is time to remain in “grown up church”, they may wish to join one of the worship ministries. Children and teens who are proficient in reading may read scripture. Teens may join the choir or participate in pick-up music ensembles.
Prayer Partners & Card Writing
Young children at St. Paul’s have a tradition of being matched with a prayer partner, an elder in the congregation. The elder and child pray for each other and get to know each other over time. These partnerships have been influential in the lives of these children long-term. Young children often also make gifts for the parish’s homebound elders.
Retreats & Camps for Youth
St. Paul’s is a part of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, a statewide diocese of 93 faith communities. Each year, the diocese hosts weekend retreats for middle school and high school youth, and summer camps for youth and families. St. Paul’s youth are encouraged to participate.
Diocesan Youth Event
DYE is a retreat for high schoolers that is eld twice a year: in the fall (over MEA weekend) and in the Spring (moves yearly). This retreat has a learning theme and invites students to play together, explore scripture, and learn about discipleship. Students help plan the event yearly. Registration and exact details are available on episcopalmn.org.
PRE-YE is a retreat for middle schoolers held once a year that introduces Episcopal youth to the retreat experience. Registration and exact details are available on episcopalmn.org. It is held in mid-February.
Diocesan Camps
Two summer camps are offered by the diocese during the year. Youth Camp takes place in mid-June and is a sleep-away camp for 6th – 12th grades. Students participate in music, art, outdoor activities, bible study, and worship, but the friendships formed are typically what our students say they remember the most. Family Camp is offered for families to attend together and is open for families with kids of any ages. Family Camp is typically in Late July or early August. Registration and exact details are available on episcopalmn.org.
Registering Children for Classes
Formal registration is not required to participate in St. Paul’s day programming. However, it does help us plan and give you details about upcoming classes. Reach out to Sophie Grey Spehar, our Coordinator for Children & Youth Ministry, to learn how to join a class.