Children's Ministries

Children and youth are welcome at every worship service.

Regular Sunday Worship
8:00 am Holy Communion
9:20 am Adult Forum
9:30 am Church School
10:00 am Holy Communion
Child Care is available for our youngest parishioners on Sundays. Children who go to Church School join their families in church at the Peace to recevie Communion.

Sunday 5:00 pm A casual and contemporary style service with Holy Communion

Children and youth are invited to serve through leading us in worship by becoming…

Acolytes: Carry the cross, torches, and banner. Serve at the altar. Learn the ins and outs of Episcopal Church worship. Acolyte training is provided. Contact Bill Underhill, Director.

Choristers: Children of all ages are welcome to rehearse each week on Sunday from 9-9:30 AM. The Choristers sing on First Sundays of the Month and at special services. All voices welcome. Call or speak to Su D’Amrrosio, Director 508-746-7261

Church Band: Children, youth and adults come together to rehearse, make a joyful noise unto the Lord, and enrich our Sunday worship with music! Rehearsals are weekly, every Saturday 6-6:45 PM. Call or speak with Su D’Ambrosio to learn how to join in, 508-746-1267.

Christian Formation for Children and Youth
Sunday Morning Church School & Youth Groups for Pre-K through Senior High

Parent involvement in Church School as helper or teacher or observer is always welcome!

What About Classes for Parents?
Please see Adult Formation and Education for details on adult classes and groups where you may grow in faith along with your children! And look for programs to support you in your voation as parents in the coming months!

Prepared Communion
(First Communion)
Second Graders and older students who have never taken this class meet for 10 weeks. Teachers offer a hands-on look at the history and mystery of Holy Communion. Students participate fully in Holy Week activities. Prepared Communion celebration is scheduled for May. Sign up after Christmas.Look in the weekly bulletin for details!

Confirmation Grades 10 and up: For older youth to explore confirming for themselves in the promises made for them at their baptism before the Bishop at Deanery Confirmation in May or June. Classes are taught by Melissa Matinzi and meet the first Sunday of the month, January through May. Discussions will include Baptism and Confirmation in scripture and tradition, a little history and polity of the Episcopal Church, and topics from current events to make learning relevant to everyday life. Students will have a co-journeyer from the parish to work with them between classes and to help them on their journey towards Confirmation. The class participates in the Deanery Retreat, when scheduled, at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center in Green field NH. Those interested in Confirmation for 2012should let Melissa know.

Retreats
The Barbara C. Harris Camp & Conference Center in Greenfield, NH Youth Retreats
The Diocese of Massachusetts offers excellent annual retreats for youth in both Junior High (November) and Senior High (February. Retreats feature contemporary Christian music and small group ministry led by youth from the Diocesan Youth Council and Youth Leadership Academy. Look for sign up information in the Sunday bulletins. Scholarships are available. For more information, contact the office 508-746-4959. Register at the calendar page at the www.diomassyouth.org webpage.

Summer Camp
Summer camp experiences in an idyllic setting shape a young person's faith in ways that years of Church school can't. The Camp, run by the Diocese of Massachusetts in July and August, brings children and youth from across eastern Massachusetts together for a fantastic week of fun, faith and friendship. Ages range from Grade 3 to Senior High, as well as a three-week Counselor in Training Program for older youth. Watch for the Camp's program brochure soon after Christmas and sign your children and youth up! Check our newsletter and bulletins for details. Camperships are available.

Counselor in Training positions and counselor jobs for older youth require a special application. Visit www.bchcenter.org for more information.

Outreach
Opportunities for outreach abound at every grade level: Church World Service school kits, layettes at Epiphany, Christmas presents for DCF families, Thanksgiving food baskets. We encourage our children to live the Gospel they are learning. Families are welcome to serve at the Food Pantry during the week, or help prepare meals for our weeks hosting the Overnights of Hospitality for homeless men in the Plymouth area. For more information about the food pantry, speak with Betsy Stengel. For more information about the Overnights of Hospitality, contact Connie Melahoures, 746-3805.

Food Pantry Hours of Operation:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Saturday 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Dinners for the Overnights of Hospitality:
Served nightly at 6:30 pm for one week, approximately every four weeks from November-March. Contact Ellen Nordquist to learn when the next week is.