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St. Mary's celebrates the restless, creative energy of children.
Your children can actively participate in the life of the church
through worship and special
seasonal activities. St. Mary's also participates in Ely's
ecumenical children's Christian education program, All
God's Children; and in the East Range Episcopal Churches'
youth group.
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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.
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Children's Chapel
During the first part of Sunday worship, children of all ages
are invited to hear and respond creatively o the Gospel of the
day. The children rejoin the adult community for the celebration
of Eucharist. Children who prefer to stay with their parents are
welcome to do so. |
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.
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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 6-12. The program
uses the Gather 'Round
curriculum.
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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.
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