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 sspurlockbiggs@icoh.net or 703-370-6555, ext 207. Questions on Godly Play? Email Sarah Glassco at glasscos@gmail.com |
CYF NEWSSunday, June 2, 12:00 noon, Zabriskie Parish Hall: Family Ministries at Immanuel + Brunch Meeting
Dear families with school aged children, I've been in ministry with you now for 9 months—and what a blessing it has been! As I look ahead to church programs and ministry for next year, I wanted to reach out and ask you to join me for a conversation about our children and youth ministry at Immanuel. At the big picture level, I'm wondering, how can the church minister to our families these days? What are you seeking, what does your family need to support you in raising kids and teens in our complex society? What is needed to help them grow in the knowledge and love of God known to us in Jesus? And how can we live this out together in this faith community? Let's gather parents and church leaders in our Zabriskie Parish Hall on Sunday, June 2nd, at 12:00, after our 10:30 Youth Led service to discuss future programming and formation for our families! We'll enjoy a light Brunch and fellowship before sharing our needs and hopes. Childcare will be provided for younger children during the conversation and we hope EYC aged youth will stay to give their input. Do let us know if we can expect you. You can RSVP at: https://forms.gle/sTSSNQ2vdDSVBKKn6 So hope to see you there! God bless you! --Rev. Sarah Spurlock Biggs First Sunday of the Month is Youth-Led Sunday
Mark your Calendar! Immanuel's children and youth will host a youth-led service on the first Sunday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in Immanuel Chapel. Our youth will serve in many of the lay ministry roles adults usually hold. Please review the list below and ask your child if they can serve that Sunday in one of the following: +Usher +Acolyte +Crucifer +Reader +Intercessor +Flower Guild +Altar Guild There are so many ways to serve! (We'll be sure everyone knows of their roles ahead of time and will meet at 10:00 that morning to prepare for the service.) Sign up here! 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 sspurlockbiggs@icoh.net |