We welcome all children at all times to full participation in the life of faith at the Cathedral.
Children in Worship
No person, of any age or ability, pays attention 100% to a liturgy. God desires the whole people of God to gather in worship, and that includes children. In particular the wiggly, giggly and easily distracted ones. Here are three tips for preparing your children and yourself for worship.
- Get ready! Be there early and get settled. This can be very hard, however it helps settle and prepare children for the experience of worship.
- Sit as close to the front of the nave as you can. A young child's zone of interest is generally what is within 10 yards. There is more light, more people doing interesting things and more to look at the closer you sit. At the Cathedral the hallway to the bathrooms is immediately to the left from the front pews!
- Bring quiet things for busy hands. Children are terrific multi-taskers and will experience what they need from the service even if they are coloring or knitting. Textured balls to move around, special paper and pencils, lacing toys for small children, even yarn work all keep hands satisfied to better engage the heart and mind.
Children's Chapel is an option for young children. This true worship experience meets downstairs in the Clark Center during the Liturgy of the Word (the first half) at the 9 am (school year only) service. Children ages 3 - 6 are welcome to choose to join the Children's Chapel. This age appropriate worship includes prayers, music, scripture, and movement.
Sunday School at the Cathedral employs the best parts of several different programs to best match our local needs and the practice of the Christian faith. These Sunday School programs include the Montessori based method of Godly Play with our youngest classes and the Mustard Seed curriculum with our oldest classes. All children’s classes meet downstairs in the Clark Center at the Cathedral. Click here to download the Children's Sunday School Registration form. (31 KB pdf)
Our youth curriculum is based in established two year groups; therefore 6th graders are in Children's Sunday School in even ending school years (like 2007-08, 2009-10) and a part of their established youth Journey group the other years. Just ask and we can help! Youth ministry groups also meet on Sunday Mornings during the school year in the Cathedral Annex.
The diocesan summer camp at Camp Stoney is an opportunity for young people to share faith and fun with peers from the Diocese of the Rio Grande. Scholarship money is available, thanks to the generosity of the St. Martha's Guild.
A “Safe Church” for children and youth: that’s a priority for the Cathedral Church of St. John. All persons who work with our young people are expected to comply with our “Safe Church” policies. These policies, designed to protect young people, their teachers and leaders, and the Cathedral itself, include the following important elements:
- All volunteers have been active members of the Cathedral parish for at least six months before working with children or youth.
- All volunteers complete a standard application each year, listing references and other important information.
- All volunteers undergo a screening process that includes a criminal background check.
- All volunteers complete the course, “Safeguarding God’s Children,” on the important issues of child sexual abuse including its prevention and recognizing the warning signs in children and adults.
- All volunteers serve at the pleasure of the Dean of the Cathedral, or the Dean’s designee.
Each of these policies helps St. John’s be a “Safe Church” for our young people as they grow in the knowledge and love of Christ.