Growing in faith

Children's ministries

At St. Stephen’s, children are welcomed into a safe, healthy environment filled with enriching activities prepared to help them learn and grow in faith, with a sense of belonging. We want each child to recognize God in the faces and voices of all those who work with them.


Included are many hands-on experiences crafted to enhance the learning of biblical stories and faith concepts, including art, science, music, math, reading, movement, cooking, to name a few! St. Stephen’s has established a developmentally appropriate setting for the children in our care from Nursery through fifth grade.

  • CHILDREN'S TIME

    Children’s Time is offered during both worship services. A developmentally appropriate story about the Bible teachings is presented in an interactive way. 

  • cHILDCARE

    Childcare is available from 8:25 a.m. until noon on Sunday mornings, while parents attend worship and Sunday School classes. It is also available for some intergenerational church events where our youngest members would find it hard to attend.

  • sUNDAY SCHOOL

    Children from preschool through fifth grade have Sunday School classes from 9:40 to 10:40 a.m. Our curriculum is Deep Blue-Loving God, Loving Neighbor for elementary children. Preschool/Pre-K children will explore a simplified theme of the week with coloring, crafts, storytime and freeplay arranged for their age and group size.

  • oUR CURRICULUM

    Joyful Path provides lessons that are both "heart-centered and experiential. Through stories and activities, children's bodies and feelings are engage as well as this minds. Giving children experiences that are real and meaningful helps them to integrate and apply the ideals of Progressive Christianity and spiritual living to lives right now." -joyfulpathcurriculum.com

  • cELEBRATION

    After Children’s Time, children in preschool through second grade may return to their parents or go to Celebration. During Celebration, preschoolers engage in play, music, art, interactive play and stories. Kindergartners through second-graders are involved in Godly Play – a Biblical storytelling from Jerome Berryman; this includes independent choices utilizing art and story figures for reflection. 

  • M&M Club

    A program for third through fifth graders, M&M Club meets during the second service on the last two Sundays of each month. M&M Club engages participants in an advanced practice of how they learn about and support their church. Acknowledging that their beliefs are important, this program encourages youngsters to be a part of shaping the church that they want to attend.  

  • aCOLYTE TRAINING

    Children in third through fifth grades attend worship with their families. They are invited to be trained as acolytes, to light candles for worship. 

  • SNL - Sunday night live

    SNL (Sunday Night Live) is a fellowship group of kindergarten thru fifth grade that meets Sunday afternoons from 4-5:30 pm. There are various activities, including games, outdoor rec, gardening, arts and crafts, bell choir and monthly family game nights.

  • children's choir

    Children’s Choir meets during Sunday school with our director of Music Ministries, Marci Corey. The director leads our children in fun learning games and music, both choral and instrumental. The Children’s Choir prepares special music for worship throughout the year. They also prepare musical and dramatic programs during Advent and in the spring.

  • annual events

    Annual events for children and families of St. Stephen’s include the Epiphany Star Journey (including King’s Cake), the all-church Valentine’s Party, an Easter Egg Hunt, Blessing of the Animals, VBS (Vacation Bible School), the Back-to-School Ice Cream Social,  Children’s Sabbath (where the children lead in worship), the CROP Hunger Walk, the all-church Fall Carnival, Advent Workshop, and the Advent Nativity Story Drama.

Staffing and safety

Paid staff and volunteers care for our children and teach Sunday School. All paid and volunteer caregivers undergo Safe Sanctuary training and background checks and every classroom has staff trained in First Aid/CPR/AED. Our church is equipped with an AED/Bleeding station, and all classrooms have a complete first aid kit.