CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIESChildren are a vital part of our faith and community. We strive to make services and offerings family-friendly. We encourage families with young children to sit toward the front where it is easier to see and hear. Some Sundays we ask the children present to come up for Children's Homilies or to see some part of the service. We encourage them to sing hymns, pray, and join their voices to congregational responses in worship. We expect that children will wiggle, run around, and even fuss a bit. That's why we have provided colorful "Busy Bags" to be used during worship. We want to be a community where children feel deeply loved and welcome. This is among the most important ways we can live out our faith in Jesus.
Sermons for Children
Most first Sundays of the month we offer a children’s homily. This is a lovely way to invite and encourage children and families to come to a service more oriented to their specific worship needs. Children need to know that our worship spaces are for them, too. Nursery
The nursery is fully staffed during the 9:00 and 10:30 Worship services. There are dedicated nursery rooms for both Zabriskie and Immanuel Chapels, which are supervised by Gilma Balcarcel, a parishioner and paid staff member with over 15 years of experience. 3-7 Year Olds
Our formation offering for 3-7 year olds is the renowned Godly Play curriculum (https://www.godlyplayfoundation.org/). Children have an innate sense of the presence of God, and we help them explore their faith through story. They gain religious language and enhance their spiritual experience though this liturgy of storytelling, prayer, reflection, wonder, and play. Middle School and High School
The Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) is our formation program for 6th-12th graders. This program year, our EYC will meet the first and third Sundays of every month at 5:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall for dinner, formation, and fellowship. CONTACTSFor any questions regarding Children, Youth and Family programs, please feel free to contact the Rev. Sarah Spurlock Biggs at [email protected] or 703-370-6555, ext 207. Questions on Godly Play? Email Sarah Glassco at [email protected] |
CYF NEWSYouth-Led Sunday is July 7th!
PLEASE SIGN UP by replying to Kathryn Jackson Haskin at [email protected] Please offer one or two ways your child might like to serve. + Usher + Acolyte + Crucifer + Reader + Intercessor + Flower guild *meets on Saturday + Altar guild + AV support We'll be sure to confirm roles ahead of time and will meet before the service to prepare. *Parents and caregivers, I have been so very inspired and encouraged by our Youth Led Sundays. Thank you for supporting me, the church, and your children in ministry! --Rev. Sarah Spurlock Biggs EYC/Youth Group We're planning an event for Wednesday, July 17th. Please let Rev. Sarah know if you'd like to be included in our EYC text thread to stay up to date with our scheduled events. Wednesdays in the World with Rev. Sarah We'll meet again on July 10th, at the Cameron Cafe, 10:00-12:00--there is apparently parking and a playground nearby! All are welcome! Confirmation Class for 7th-12th Graders
Immanuel will begin to form a new confirmation class in the fall, in anticipation of a spring visit from the Bishop. Please let the Rev. Sarah Spurlock Biggs know if you are interested at [email protected] |