Children’s Ministry and Education
- Welcomes children to worship together with their families
- Welcomes children to feel they belong to a community of people
- Welcomes and encourages children to explore their gifts in worship and service
- Welcomes children in loving relationships with each other and our world.
Worship
Children are welcome and encouraged to participate in worship. Children’s bulletins for ages 3-6 and ages 7-12 plus Christ’s Kids Tote Bags and Children’s Bibles are available at both entrances to the Sanctuary.
Nursery / Childcare
The Nursery provides loving and safe childcare for children ages 12 weeks to 5 years on Sunday mornings during the worship service. The Nursery is located in the lower level.
Communion Preparation
Communion preparation is provided for your child when you feel your child is ready to receive the sacrament. Preparation for children and their parents is provided on an individual basis by contacting one of the pastors.
Baptism Preparation
Parents who wish to have their child baptized at St. John’s are asked to attend a preparation session to discuss the meaning of baptism and to talk about the details of the day. Baptism preparation is held on the first Saturday of each month.
Children’s Library
St. John’s has a wonderful children’s library. It is located adjacent to the southwest entry.
Sunday School
Sunday School is held between worship services from 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m., September – May. Sunday School classes are for age 3 (3 by August 31 of the school year) to grade 5. Augsburg Fortress’ “Spark” is the curriculum used for Sunday School.
ROCK, Reaching Out to Christ’s, Wednesday Afterschool Programming
We provide an afterschool bus to transport kids from the Northfield elementary schools to St. John’s on Wednesdays when programming is happening!
Catechism – Grades 3 – 5
“CAT”echism is the handbook of instruction in the basics of Christian faith that Martin Luther prepared for parents to teach their children. Classes are held for grades 4 and 5 on Wednesdays after school; grade 4 studies the Ten Commandments and Grade 5 studies the Apostle’s Creed. Grade 3 participates in three retreats during the year learning about Baptism, Communion and the Bible.
DOG, Discovering Our Gifts – Grades 4-5
DOG meets at 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. on Wednesdays every other month when CAT is not in session. It is a time for 4 and 5 graders to learn ways of using their gifts through the arts, music, service and worship
Opportunities in Music – K – Grade 5
Children are encouraged to share their musical gifts in worship. Choirs meet on Wednesday’s afterschool and sings throughout the year in worship.
Alleluia Choir Kindergarten – Grade 1
Hosanna Choir Grade 2 – Grade 3
Jubilate Choir Grade 4 – Grade 8
Chime Choir Grade 3 – Grade 5
Music Directors: Cathy Rodland, Tyler Forsythe and Jenny Pelletier
Kid’s Club – Grades K – 3
Kid’s Club meets 4:45 -5:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon. Our time is filled with faith based games, stories, arts and crafts.
Camp Opportunities
Vacation Bible School is a one week event in the summer for age 3 – Grade 4.
Settlers Camp is a 3 day, 2 night camp at Good Earth Village in Spring Valley, MN for kids in grades 2-3.
Shores of St. Andrews Bible Camp is for kids in grades 3 – 5 located in New London, MN.
Youth Blast is an overnight retreat in October for kids in grades 3 – 6 at Good Earth Village in Spring Valley, MN.
For more information contact:
Director of Children’s Ministry, Julie Brehmer
507-645-4429, ext. 25