Our Children's Ministry provides a safe environment for families to be formed as disciples -- for children and parents to grow together as followers of Jesus.
Check out the different areas of children's ministry below. To learn more, contact our associate rector, the Rev. Dr. Cal Lane
Our Nursery is a safe, clean, and welcoming environment guided by current “Safe Church” standards with well-trained professional care providers. We offer Nursery on Sundays from 9am-Noon. We also offer Nursery for other significant programs and worship opportunities. In addition to Lori Constantine (supervisor) we have other staff members who serve when scheduled. Our nursery leaders have significant training (either currently working in daycare or in early childhood development). Unlike almost all other areas of ministry, our nursery staff are not volunteers; they are professional care providers.
Education at St. George's Church is truly for ALL AGES. We believe in having education for all at the same time. That way families can come, be blessed, and grow together.
During the Program Year (Sept - May) we offer two classes for adults, two classes for youth (Middle School and High School) and three classes for Children.
Age 3 & Potty-Trained through Kindergarten: "Let the Children Come" - This class is a hands-on Montesorrri-style children's class involving stories from scripture.
First Grade - Third Grade: Godly Play - This class is a Montessori-style Children’s Christian Education Program. In Godly Play, children learn through play as they move through God’s word. It is a tactile program using “sets” of figurines.
Fourth Grade - Fifth Grade: What's Up - In this class we start to put Bibles in kids' hands, teaching them how to navigate God's Word, learning books and chapters at an age appropriate level. We go a little deeper by learning extended versions of stories from the Bible.
While our nursery is available for infants to age 3 from 9am-Noon, all worship services at St. George's Church are family friendly. You are always welcome to have your child with you! We love having kids in our worship services -- we feel its vital for a child's development as a Christian to feel like she or he is part of worship, not an "interloper" in the thing adults do. Our 9am service lasts about 45 to 50 minutes and our 11am service lasts about one hour.
But what if my kid is getting squirmy? Here are two suggestions. First, families are welcome to use our "busy bags" found in baskets near the baptismal font (feel free to ask an usher). Second, if your little one needs a breather, it's easy to step into the narthex (the entry area). The wall between the narthex and the church is glass and the sound comes through speakers, so it's sort of like you've not left worship. Above all, know that you and your children are welcome here!
Each Advent we host a free Christmas Concert with family friendly "pops" music and carols. This is followed by a Live Nativity featuring our Children, Youth, Families, and other members of the congregation. Chat with our associate rector, the Rev. Dr. Cal Lane if you've got questions or would like to join the cast!
Vacation Bible School (2025) will be Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, June 25, 26, and 27 / 9am to Noon. We welcome children age 5 (by VBS) through Rising 5th Graders. Admission is FREE but you must register online. Registration is open! Click HERE.
Vacation Bible School is one of the largest ministries of St. George’s Church involving easily 40 to 50 volunteers, some behind the scenes. One of the strengths of our VBS is that we provide live music. We are also proud to follow our church's safe-guarding protocols for ministry with children.
We hold a variety of events and programs aimed at strengthening families in our community. We regularly offer a discipleship conference called EQUIP aimed to welcome and help the local community in ways inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. EQUIP has featured workshops on faith and the arts, the opioid crisis, and issues surrounding suburban families like children and technology. A portion of EQUIP is also for children, both enabling parents to come and to engage children (not merely baby-sitting). We often employ local Christian artist and Dayton Art Institute museum educator, Matt Burgy, to hold programs with kids. Matt has become, in a sense, our “artist in residence” and we are proud that he produced the commissioned murals in our nursery. We've also hosted concerts featuring Sand Dollar Music and New York recording artist Melanie Penn.
