2026 Children's and Family Ministry Open House and Orientation

2026 Children's and Family Ministry Open House and Orientation

Sunday, Aug. 23
10 a.m., Children's Chapel 

Welcome back loved ones! It was so good to see you and catch up at Last Splash. I hope the first week treated you well, and that you are all sorts of gung-ho for the second one. I love back to school season so much; everything just settles into place in a way that we didn’t know we needed.  

As everything feels new everywhere all the time, I would like us to take some time to reorient our kids to our fall formation offerings. They are a whole year older than the last time we did this, and they will want to learn about Sunday School again. Just like when we throw them into the pool in May wondering if they remember how to swim, this too deserves a review.  

All of our classes are in the same hallway now! We are so, so excited for the incredible work that the staff and volunteers have done to make these classrooms ready for us, and we cannot wait for you to see them. On Sunday, Aug. 23, please take the lobby elevator down to the first-floor Children’s Chapel at 10 a.m. for our Open House and Orientation. You will get to meet our Sunday School teachers and learn about our Children’s Formation offerings as well as Children’s Choir.  

Youth Orientation will be happening at this same time, as will Adult Formation Orientation. There is no need to seek a Time-Turner, friends. We have coordinated across all staff to make these events fluid and cooperative so that you can see everything you need to see during the Formation Hour from 10-11 a.m. Breakfast will be available upstairs, and I will have a bigger than usual breakfast cart for us to all eat from as well.  

This year we will have four classrooms for children’s formation. We will have two Journey classes that are play-based and theological. Our 3- to 6-year-olds will be in Joyful Journey with Rex and Elaine (Room 113), and our 7- to 11-year-olds have Junior Journey with Elizabeth and Kari (Room 116). These classrooms engage the stories of the Bible using felt boards and Godly Play, as well as crafts and games.

We will also have two Atriums for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. One serves children 3-6 years old, and the other serves those 7-10 years old. These classrooms are Montessori-based and quieter. They are for kids who like to work independently and thoughtfully, engaging in the liturgical work of the church. These programs and their atriums have been carefully curated by our catechists Christy, Jesse, Dani, and Susan. 

Our nursery will serve kids four months to four years old and is available during Sunday services, as well as Wednesday nights when we have formation and choir rehearsal.  

Children's Choir

Children’s Choir will begin the first week of September and rehearses on Wednesday nights from 6-7 p.m. Dinner is always available at 5:30 p.m. in Cafe Divine, so you can feed your children here if you need to. We know it’s hard enough to get down here without dinner as a hurdle. Jessy Eubanks, director of children's choir, will be with us for orientation to answer any questions you have about that. Jessy is such a gifted teacher, I hope your kids get the benefit of spending time with her. I know mine have.  

If your kids do not have a busy bag with their name on it, do let me know so that I can get them in the mix ASAP. Much love and many prayers for a smooth and joyful return, friends. I’ll see you soon.  

❤️FrK