Children & Youth
The children and youth of Christ Church are central to the vitality of our congregation. Our youngest members join us every Sunday in the church, in our nursery, and in Children’s Chapel, where we experience God’s love together through prayer, stories, play, and creating. Children also serve as ushers most Sundays, and are often the first faces to greet worshippers arriving on the front porch. Third-grade and older members serve as acolytes and readers, and currently, two-thirds of all eligible youth members serve regularly in worship. Formation for our children also includes weekly Sunday school classes, and our youth members lead our receptions and support our outreach ministries. Through these formation opportunities, we help our children and youth to experience God’s love, to walk as disciples of Jesus, and to lead as servants in their community.
Nursery (ages 0 to 4)
We extend a warm welcome to you and your family at Christ Church, where children are always part of worship. As one of our parishioners once said to the mother of a fussy baby, “God put the wiggles in children.” If you prefer childcare for little ones age 0–4, our Christ Church Nursery is available during services. When you arrive at the church, an usher will guide you to the nursery. Our same nursery staff have been with us for years, and along with their extensive childcare experience we require background checks and Safe Church, Safe Communities training.
Sunday School (ages 5 and up)
The first Sunday School in America was started by John Wesley at Christ Church in 1736. We continue this tradition with Sunday School in our Parish House, where we have activities and stories for children of all ages. Sunday School is drop-in, and our staff will walk your children to the church before the 10:30 a.m. service. Sunday School is led by John Audette, our Director of Children and Youth Ministries, and is supported by our nursery staff, sexton, ushers, adult youth leaders, and adult volunteers. Formation includes Bible exploration and periodic Godly Play series.
Children’s Chapel (Pre-K to 6th Grade)
During the 10:30 a.m. service, children from Pre-K to 6th grade are invited to process downstairs for Children’s Chapel, otherwise known as the “Little Church.” During Children’s Chapel, we sing and pray, learn and wonder, and create and move. We follow the same liturgy as the “Big Church,” and we focus on learning how to name the ways we experience God’s love every day, and how to live our thanks for God’s creation. We return to our families during the Peace and are present for communion.
Worship Volunteers (3rd to 12th Grade)
Sunday morning worship is a vital formation opportunity for young people, just as it is for adults. Children and teenagers serve as ushers, lectors, leaders of the Prayers of the People, Children’s Chapel helpers, and acolytes. By experiencing and leading worship, all of us are led to greater love of God and neighbor. If your child or teen is interested in serving during Sunday morning worship, please contact the John Audette, Director of Children and Youth Ministries.
Confirmation (age 13 to adult)
Confirmation is a spiritual rite marking one’s decision to make a mature and public affirmation of faith. In confirmation, that person “receives strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop” (BCP, p.860). Confirmations take place at Christ Church every year, during the bishop’s visitation on the first Sunday in March. During the Fall season before this service, we hold a series of Confirmation classes offered to adolescents in 6th grade and up. This is a unique time in a young person’s life for asking questions, seeking understanding, figuring out what’s important, and claiming one’s faith as one’s own. If you are interested in learning more about confirmation, please contact John Audette, Director of Children and Youth Ministries.
Pilgrimages
Christ Church has a long history of sending youth groups on pilgrimages both near and far to experience the diversity of cultures and creation in God’s Kingdom. We are restarting this tradition during 2025, beginning with Sea Turtle Expeditions to Jekyll Island in August and September, and an Ocean Pilgrimage to Palm Beach in October. Next June we will be strengthening our 30+ year ties to Belize with a youth pilgrimage to Dangriga, Belize.
Seasonal Events
Join us throughout the year as we mark various liturgical and life seasons! We hold a back-to-school blessing at the start of each academic year; an opportunity for Advent wreath-making on the first Sunday of Advent; a Christmas Pageant each Christmas Eve; and an Easter egg hunt in Reynolds Square on Easter morning. Subscribe to our newsletter (below) to stay informed of all upcoming events.
The Chorister Program
This unique program gives children in 3rd through 12th grade the opportunity to learn music and instills a lifelong love of singing and the church. Learn more about this program!
