“So Jesus called the children over to him and said, “Let the children come to me!
Don’t try to stop them. People who are like these children belong to
God’s kingdom.”—Luke 18:16 (CEV)
In Person Children’s Program & Nursery @ 11 AM Sunday Service
After two years offering Children’s Church via ZOOM, St. James is once again offering a regular in-person program for children during the 11 AM Sunday morning service.
This program is facilitated by Ruth Morrow, a Montessori teacher and grandmother, who is trained in a contemplative approach to ministry with children called Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
Ruth is assisted by additional screened adult each week.
Procession and Children’s Time
At the very beginning of the 11 am service participating children are invited to line up at the back of the church and lead the procession up to the front of the church during the opening hymn.
After a short Children’s time with the priest, they will then proceed to their program which is held in the parish hall upstairs in the balcony alcoves where a special learning environment called an atrium has been prepared for them.
Communion/Eucharist
At approximately 12 noon, the children will return to the sanctuary and rejoin their families so they can receive communion or a blessing from the priest.
New to the Children’s Program?
Ruth Morrow is happy to set up a mid-week orientation session for parents/guardians and their children so they can visit the atrium, a specially prepared learning environment for children at St. James, and learn more about the program.
Nursery
On Sunday mornings during the 11 am service, parents may leave their infant or toddler in the care of a screened volunteer and pick them up either at communion time or the end of the service. St. James’ nursery is in the parish hall upstairs in the balcony alcoves adjacent to the atrium where the children’s program takes place. There is a change table and play pen in the nursery area in addition to some age-appropriate toys and board books.
Even though we have only one nursery volunteer on duty, because of the Nursery’s proximity to the children’s program St. James is still able to maintain appropriate supervision ratios since there are two screened adults in the atrium.
Screening-in-Faith
All leaders, teachers and volunteers who are engaged in ministries with children and youth at St. James are screened in accordance with the Diocese of Ontario’s Screening in Faith program