Ministries

Worship

Children are welcome to participate as actively as they wish in church services, reading lessons, adding to the discussion after sermons, and following along in the prayer book. Or they may choose to just listen, coloring at the table during the service or playing on the floor. From Saint of the Month trading cards to visits from Saint Nicholas to chocolate coins at Epiphany, children will find parts of the service made fun just for them.

The repetitive nature and ritual action of liturgy can be especially meaningful for children; even pre-readers quickly learn the prayers they hear each week and will soon repeat them from memory with the congregation. Worshipping in a circle, they closely observe the actions of the priest and congregation; the smallest children will often imitate the actions of the priest during Eucharist, physically taking part in the service. All children are welcome to receive communion, either as baptized members of the community or as honored guests.

Most importantly, the small size of the church automatically makes each child a treasured part of the community. They develop friendships with their priest and the older members of the congregation that are often more difficult to form in larger congregations.

Seasonal Fun Days

Other activities mark the liturgical seasons of Advent, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. These events are generally held before Saturday worship. Annual events focused especially on children have included

• A Three King's Party on Epiphany and a Birth of the Spirit party on Pentecost;
• Lenten Activity Days, including bread baking, Paschal candle making, Easter egg decorating, and cross making;
• The Advent Event, where children craft Advent calendars, wreaths, and ornaments to ready their homes for Christmas;
• Family Camp, held each August, an overnight nature camp for families, which helps kids develop a love of and respect for all of Creation through storytelling, hikes, seining, group games, and craft projects. Camp is open to the community and the Diocese of Minnesota and attracts a diverse group each year.

Many of these events are advertised throughout the community and are well attended by those outside the church.

All God's Children

All God's Children is an afterschool Christian education program ministered by the Episcopal, Evangelical Lutheran, Presbyterian, (Ely) Baptist, Methodist, Gospel Tabernacle, and Lord of the Harvest churches. The program is held on Wednesday afternoons during the school year from 3:00-4:15 at Grace Lutheran Church and includes music, snack, Bible lessons, and crafts. It is open to all children in the community aged 3-12. The program uses the Gather 'Round curriculum.

Youth Group

The youth group of the East Range Episcopal Churches meets monthly in Virginia for fun and exploration of the Episcopal tradition, teen-style. Youth also participate in Great North Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) week-ends held each fall and spring.