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Children
at Saint Mark's
Children are a heritage from
the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a gift.
~ Psalm 127:4
Children are a vital part of our worshiping community.
Since it takes people of all types to fully reflect the kingdom of God, children are welcome and active participants in all Saint Mark’s liturgies, from joining the congregation in joyfully singing the Sanctus and Lord’s Prayer, to passing the peace, to bringing the bread and wine to the altar. Children also serve as ushers, greeters, drummers, acolytes and lectors, as well as singing in one of our three choirs for young people, the
Junior Choristers, Boys and Girls’
Choir, and the Youth Ensemble. Children join the gathered community around the table for our feast during the Liturgy of the Table, receiving either a blessing or the Eucharistic elements as they and their family prefer.
Children find small group community, faith and fun in our Church School program.
Church School meets Sundays, mid-September through May, from 10:10 to 10:50 a.m. Children age 3 through fifth grade participate in Godly Play, a Montessori-based method of faith formation. Children in middle school and high school explore faith, the arts, and our own Saint Mark’s community, focusing particularly on scripture stories, current events and small group formation.
Children join with the larger church in fun, enriching events celebrating the church year.
The Christian year is full of many wonderful festivals, and Saint Mark’s is a great place in which to celebrate them! Over the years, children have made meaningful connections and built relationships in the larger community through the celebration of these events, including:
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Saint Nicholas Day, the Sunday closest to December 6. Saint Nicholas visits the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. services with treats.
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Christmas Pageant with Eucharist, 9:00 a.m. on the fourth Sunday of Advent.
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Christmas Eve Services, 2:00, 4:00, 7:30 and 11:00 p.m. on December 24.
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Mardi Gras party, Tuesday evening before Ash Wednesday. Party with mask-making, crepes, dessert and live band.
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Children’s Stations of the Cross, 4:00 p.m. on Good Friday. Interactive walk through the last few days of Jesus’ life.
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Easter Egg Hunt, 10:00 a.m. Easter, on the Great Lawn.
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Saint Mark’s Day Pancake Breakfast, 10:00 a.m., Sunday closest to April 25.
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Pentecost Party, Pentecost. Wear red and join the birthday celebration for the church!
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Baptism
Celebrations, 10:10 a.m., Baptismal Sundays (four per year). Splash in water, eat, play and remember (or look forward to!) your baptism.
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St. Francis Day, Sunday closest to October 4, all services. Bring your pet (or a reminder of your pet) as we celebrate all of creation in this special service. Pets may be blessed following the service.
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Fall Festival, parish-wide celebration of fall, family, food and fun.
Children participate in special activities, including Cathedral Camp.
There are many special activities throughout the year, often in conjunction with the many ministry groups of the Cathedral. Go hiking with the Ecology/Spirituality Group, participate in special dinners, or attend a concert. Cathedral Camp is a week-long summer program open to children age 3 through sixth grade. Past camps have offered instruction in marimba, African drumming, movement and vocal music, as well as arts and crafts, recreation and large group chapel times.
Children play, sing, and read together in the
Childcare Center.
Saint Mark’s is a Christ-centered community that welcomes all children. A goal of our Strategic Plan is “to achieve full inclusion of children and youth in every facet of Cathedral ministry and programs.” We encourage families to worship with their children at all services. At the same time, the Cathedral offers the Childcare Center, so that parents can have an opportunity for peaceful worship and study. Our trained caregivers build relationships with children through playing, reading and the arts.
The Childcare Center is open on Sundays from 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. for children three months through age five, and on certain Wednesdays from 6:00-9:15 p.m. for children three months through age thirteen. Childcare is offered for special events by reservation. Please make a reservation by calling the Childcare Hotline, (206) 323-0300 x313, at least 24 hours prior to the event.
Children grow, learn and play at Saint Mark’s Cathedral
Preschool.
Saint Mark’s operates a joyful, child-centered preschool program for children age three to five in the Leffler House building at the southeast exit of the parking lot. Our program emphasizes a integrated, thematic approach to learning, and is hands-on and experiential. For application and admission information, please contact the
Saint Mark’s Cathedral Preschool, (206) 323-4018.
A
Children's Charter
A
Children's Charter for the Church is a call to the church to respond in new and intentional ways to Christ's mandate to care for, respect, and bring all children to Him. This study guide is designed to help us understand more thoroughly the meaning and implications of that mandate.
This link to a PDF copy of A Children's Charter is brought to you by the National Episcopal Church USA.
For more information about these programs, please call us at
206.323.0300:
Acolytes, Lectors, Greeters, Ushers,
Becky Morrill, Cathedral Liturgist, x259
Saint Mark’s Choir School, Brian Fairbanks, Music Associate, x294
Childcare Center, Cait Platz, Childcare Coordinator, x313
Church School, Cathedral Camp, Intergenerational Events and other Children/Youth Questions,
Cindy Spencer, Children/Youth Ministries Coordinator, x225
cspencer@saintmarks.org
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