Our Mission

A Safe, Peaceful, Nurturing Place to Explore, Learn, Love and Belong
Guided by and sustained in Christ, our vision is founded in a welcoming spirit that encourages a flexible, creative, and active learning environment for the entire community. Children and Youth will find at St. Nicholas a safe, peaceful, nurturing place to explore, learn, love and belong, and a playful curriculum that facilitates a growing relationship with God, communication with our community and opportunities to embrace diversity.

Our Ministries

Programs for Children & Youth

Worship 

Worship is at the heart of our Christian formation.  As we gather to hear God's word and be fed, we remember that we are God's children, at unity with God and one another. Children and youth are encouraged to participate in worship.  Books, crayons and coloring paper are available from the ushers. 

Fellowship and Formation (10:00am Sunday Morning).  

We have found that children and youth learn best when instruction is provided in several forms, when what they are learning parallels what their parents are learning (so parents can reinforce their children's learning), and when the learning environment provides them the opportunity for integration with the life of the whole congregation.  

A typical Sunday morning looks like this:

Worship
8:55am	Welcome by the Clergy
	Musical Prelude (for quiet meditation and prayer)
9:00am	Opening Hymn
9:45am	Welcome & Announcements by Vestry
9:50am	Dismissal to Fellowship & Formation
Fellowship and Formation
9:50am	Fellowship for All Ages
10:00am	Sunday School (K-6)
	+ K-6 Kids - report to classroom
	+ Youth - join adults for Forum (Youth Grp at different time*)
10:45am	Formation Time over - Parents pick up kids
	* Youth Group schedule available from Youth Group Leaders.

Sunday	Activity
1st Sun	Sunday School (K-6) - in the classroom
2ndSun	Sunday School (K-6) - in the classroom
3rdSun	Sunday School (K-6) - in the classroom
4th Sun	Sunday School (Intergenerational Outreach Project)
	Adults and Youth join Children for hands on program
5th Sun	Instructional Eucharist Sunday*:
	A portion of the liturgy explained during worship and formation time
*5th Sundays occur about three times during the Church’s program year.

Curriculum

Sunday School: Our Sunday School curriculum focuses on best-loved Bible stories and Episcopal basics. The activities are creative and appeal to a variety of learning styles.  The year is divided into monthly units, each of which is team-taught by two volunteers. Contact: The Sunday School Co-Coordinators.

Youth Confirmation Program: For the Confirmation Instruction portion of our Youth Program, we use the Confirm, Not Conform program, published by the Church Publishing Group. Contact: The Youth Program Co-Leaders.

To Enroll

To enroll your children in Sunday School Program or your youth in our Youth Program, simply bring them to the designated room. The first time they take part in our program, you will complete an registration form, which we will keep on file.  You can obtain the registration form from the teacher/leader, the Welcome Table, or by asking an Usher. Or you may click on the appropriate link below and bring the form with you.

• K-6 Sunday School Registration Form
• Youth Program Registration Form 

Epiphany Pageant

On Epiphany Sunday children and youth are welcome to participate in this wonderful dramatic telling of Christ's birth and the coming of the Magi. Contact: The Sunday School Co-Coordinators. 

Acolytes

A great way for young people (from about 5th grade and up) to become more involved in the service. Carry the cross, hold the Gospel book at the reading of Gospel, help the priest at the altar. As acolytes grow in experience and composure, they can graduate to special acolyte ministries, such as Torch Bearers, Banner Bearers, and even Thurifers (swingers of incense -- on those few extra-special ocassions when we use it). Contact: The Rector.

Outreach and Stewardship

Children as well as adults are encouraged to participate in outreach to the needy and to offer their gifts of time and talent as well as money.  Opportunities include an annual Walk for Hunger that benefits Germantown HELP, contributing canned or dry goods to the weekly food collection, participating in special collections or projects during Advent and Lent.

Intergenerational Events

We encourage all ages to come together for intergenerational events throughout the year, such congregational meals, Advent wreath making, St. Nicholas Sunday, our Christmas Potluck Social, the Blessing of the Backpacks, the Blessing of the Animals on St. Francis' Sunday, and more.

Our Ministers

• Children & Youth Formation Chair:  Vacant - Need Volunteer - contact the Rector.
• Sunday School Co-Coordinators: Meghan Holland + Vacant - Need Volunteer - contact the Rector.
• Youth Program Co-Coordinators: Tracey Kelly & Terri Murphy
• Youth Program Team Members: Steven Carman, Steve Ericson, Alicia Frechette, Byron Wanza.  Need additional team members/helpers. Contact the Rector.
• Vestry Liason:  Tracey Staley

To volunteer, contact Fr. Ken (Contact Ken via Email)