Children's Ministry

Everything we do for children is to let them know that, because they have been baptized, they are loved and kept safe by all the members of our parish, even as our loving Heavenly Father cares for children of all ages. Children of the Heavenly Father is one of our parish's all time favorite hymns.

Good Shepherd strongly supports young families. While very young children feel safe in our church nursery, children of all ages are welcomed and encouraged to participate in our liturgies with their families. Pastor Sobers encourages young families to sit towards the front of the nave as young children enjoy what they can see in worship. He feels strongly that even the youngest child gets something out of the liturgy and is never bothered by the occasional "outcry" of one of God's children.

Baptized children are welcome to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion. Our parish believes that when children ask to be included in Holy Communion, they are ready to receive the Sacrament. Individual decisions about the right age are made by each family, together with Pastor Sobers.

Church School is in session on Sunday mornings, 9:45-10:45 AM in season (September-May). Our Church School faculty are skilled volunteers who are strongly committed to loving children, and to supporting their growing faith. Classes may be found in our Educational Wing, on two floors. Grades are grouped together, to provide the best possible environment for learning. Our curriculum, Life Together, is based upon the  Revised Common Lectionary. That means the same scripture which we hear from the pulpit is the scripture or story taught in Church School.

• The nursery class, for two- and three-year-olds, meets with Sheryl Watson, Beth Scheetz, and Terri Bentzel in the St. Mary Room (left side at far end of hall, second floor). Parents find this atmosphere congenial for very young children to learn about belonging at church and to learn to expect Sunday routine to include this activity.
• Four-year-olds and kindergarten children meet together with Steve Watson and Jan Ulerick in the St. Peter and St. Paul Rooms (located just before the St. Mary Room). These children meet together for stories and exciting craft activities connected with each Sunday's Gospel. Grades 1-2 meet together for a variety of activities, including story telling, crafts and games with Margie Thompson and Hilarene Staller. This group meets in the St. Matthew Room (through community library, right down the stairs, large open room on left, lower level).
• Grades 3-4 meet with Karen Cummings and Judy Carlson in the St. Luke Room (through community library, right down the stairs, just past the St. Matthew Room, lower level). These children also share in a variety of activities including stories and crafts.
• Catechism students meet in the St. Stephen Room (through community library, up the stairs, first room on left) with Pastor Sobers and Nancy Knol.
• Confirmed youth meet with Jim Capp in the St. Mark Room (through community library, right down the stairs, second room on left past large open room).