Nursery
St. Mark's offers a staffed nursery for children six weeks old to three years old during the 10:30 service. Volunteers from the parish take turns staffing the nursery, which is located in the multipurpose wing of the main Church building. We welcome new volunteers!
Children's Chapel
We welcome children four years old through seven years old to participate in our Children's Chapel program during the first half of the 10:30 service. Children sit with their families through the processional, after which the Rector calls them to the front for a blessing. They then process with the teachers to the Chapel in the multipurpose wing of the main Church building. They participate in an age-appropriate service and rejoin their parents during the Exchange of Peace in order to participate in the Holy Eucharist with their families and the entire congregation.
Children's Chapel teachers work in pairs on a rotating schedule. We welcome new members to the staff!
Children's Sunday School
St. Mark's offers a Sunday School program for children and youth ages five years old through teens in the Youth Center on the lower campus, at the corner of Herndon and Roanoke Streets, adjacent to the Ministry Center. Meeting from 9:15-10:15, the children explore their Christian faith through Godly Play, a Montessori-style curriculum designed for use across ages.
Teachers escort the children to the church at 10:15, where parents assume responsibility for them. Those serving at the 10:30 service will be escorted to the church by a teacher prior to 10:15. Parents may choose to pick up their children at the Youth Center instead.
Older teenagers may attend the Adult Sunday School class, which meets in the adjacent Ministry Center, also from 9:15-10:15. Teen classes and activities vary.
Requirements for Volunteers in the Children's Programs
All Sunday School teachers, Children's Chapel teachers, youth workers, and nursery attendants must take a one-class training in Safeguarding God's Children. This Episcopal Church-required training (for all who work with children) provides instruction in potential dangers for children and how to prevent them. Our diocesan-certified trainer, Emily Talbot-Guillote, holds several classes a year to certify parishioners who serve in any of our programs for children and youth. All staff must take a refresher course every five years.
Any parishioner may attend these classes; it is not necessary to volunteer in any of our programs in order to participate in the training. Parents, grandparents, babysitters, and others who interact with children will find the training to be very informative.
General Information for Sundays
Times:
• Nursery: 9:15 to 12:15 Sunday
• Children's Church: 10:30 to approximately 11:10.
Children join their parents to take Holy Eucharist and then remain with them in the sanctuary.
• Youth Sunday School: 9:30 to 10:15 Sept. - May (Note: Youth Center is open at 9:15.)
Ages (negotiable - based on developmental readiness):
• Nursery: Infants through three years old
• Children's Church: Four years old through seven years old
• Youth Sunday School: Four years old through teens
Parents: Please arrive at the Youth Center between 9:15 and 9:30 on Sundays. We will dismiss the children at 10:15. If you are not at the Youth Center to pick them up at that time, we will accompany them to the church. For more, see Children's & Teens Sundays with Christ.
Need more information about Children's Ministries? Contact St. Mark's 
