St. Mary's Episcopal Church

Children's Chapel

Children's Chapels are conducted during the first part of the 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services in the Chapel. Children may sign up before the service on the white board on the door for ministries that day (such as acolyte, readers and ushers). Some children choose to wait in the chapel before the service, practicing their jobs, and enjoying fellowship with each other. Children who go into the Sanctuary with their families need to recess during the opening hymn, following the crucifer. At 9:00 a.m., the children younger than first grade go downstairs for play, and then come up to the chapel for worship. The first through fifth graders go directly into the chapel for their service. At 11:15 a.m. all children come into the chapel for the service. Children too young to participate in chapel are welcome in the Nursery. At both services children join their familes for the Eucharist.

The order of service for Children's Chapel is directly from the Book of Common Prayer, simplified in a written pamphlet, and projected on a screen to help young readers follow along. Time is taken to answer questions throughout the service. Particular care is given during the Prayers of the People to hear the concerns offered up by the children. Children partipate as leaders in all aspects of the service.

The hope of Children's Chapel is to joyfully worship God, to encourage active partipation by all the young worshipers, to teach about the Love of Jesus and about our liturgy, and to help the children get to know each other and their church community. Every Sunday the Minister of Music comes into Chapel to teach about worship in music. The clergy, seminarians, other staff, and laypersons give age-appropriate homilies. Parishioners accompany on the keyboard and other musicians (aspiring and accomplished) add to our "joyful noise". Adults are welcome to join us, especially if they will lend a kind hand where needed.