Children & Youth Ministry
Children and teens experience God and express their spirituality in unique, vital ways that help all of us understand our faith better.
St. Matthew’s is an intergenerational community where infants, children, teens, adults, and elders all share in seeking God together. Here you can find more information about faith formation and social activities for children, teens, and families.
Children's Faith Formation Fall Programming 2024
CHILDREN’S FAITH FORMATION | Sundays 9:15 – 10:15 am
All children begin in the Parish Hall with an activity before moving into their separate classrooms for age-appropriate Bible stories, discussion questions, and imaginative reflection/remix. Register your child for Sunday school here.
- Godly Play (age 3 and potty trained – Kindergarten) fosters wonder and imaginative play through storytelling that follows the liturgical calendar.
- Whirl Lectionary Curriculum (First Grade – Fifth Grade) engages the full arc of God’s story through imaginative reading, art journaling, activities, and conversation.
- Singing and Church Involvement. Children in Sunday school have the opportunity to participate in some singing, processing, and leadership opportunities, especially on Children’s Sundays (the Second Sunday of the month- when we have a special service geared for children).
CHILDREN AND FAMILY FUN | Events and Opportunities
- Family Gathering-Sunday, September 22, 2024, families will gather after church (at 12 pm) at Jake and Elizabeth’s house for lunch and fun!
- Sunday School- Resumes on Sunday, September 29, 2024 with fun pictures!
- Take Home Gratitude– On October 6th take home a special at home gratitude kit for your family.
- Hay Ride– Join us for a fun family Hay Ride from 4pm-7pm with Saint Christophers
- Halloween Party– October 27, 2024 join us for a Halloween Party after church!
- Feed My Starving Children– Saturday, November 2, 2024 2:15 pm -4:15 pm in Chanhassen
- All Saints Day– Saturday, November 3, 2024, Children sing and dress up as a Saint!
- Advent Wreath Making– Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 9:15 am in lieu of Sunday school
- Gingerbread Houses– Sunday, December 22, 2024 after church
- Living Creche– Tuesday, December 24, 2024 at 4 pm all kids welcome to participate
YOUTH FAITH FORMATION AND YOUTH GROUP
YOUTH FAITH FORMATION | Sundays 11:45 am-1:00 pm
These are classes for 6th through 9th graders that will lead to confirmation. However, if you do not wish to be confirmed, you can still participate in the class and learn for the sake of learning and engaging! Either is fine and your choice either way will be respected! There will be six sessions. Most of the sessions are on the first Sunday of the month- January is the exception.
- October 6: Session One: God
- November 3: Session Two: Jesus
- December 1: Session Three: Holy Spirit
- January 12: Session Four: The Sacraments
- February 2: Session Five: The Bible
- March 2: Session Six: Living As Christians/ Prayer
- April- TBD * This will be offsite at the Cathedral where youth will get a tour. We will also discuss the church.
- May – TBD: Youth Recognition Dinner
YOUTH GROUP FUN
These are fun activities for youth groupers 5th – 9th grade to build fellowship!
- September 29: 11:45-1pm Pizza Party and Games
- October 13: 12pm-1:30pm Bowling at Ran Ham
- October 20: 11:45am-1pm Youth Group Activity (TBD)
- October 26: 4pm-7pm Hayride at Bunker Hill (All Parish)
- November 2: 2:15pm-4:15pm Feed My Starving Children Chanhassen
- December 22: 11:45pm-1pm Gingerbread Houses (All Parish)
Why formation?
Following the pandemic, life is isolating and hard. So much has been uprooted—social ties have changed dramatically—and interaction has become careful and restrictive.
Godly Play
Youth Faith Formation
Middle and high school students are invited to our lineup of fall service projects, and faith activities. There are activities for all ages and a chance to connect once again through faith and fun.
For the Littlest
We plan to have nursery care on Sunday mornings for our littlest members.
Whirl Curriculum
Elementary Age Faith Formation at St. Matthew's adapts and uses the Whirl Curriculum for learning the story arc of the Bible through reading, discussion, service projects and imagination!
This is why faith formation for children and youth is more essential than ever. Teaching our children to be in relationship with each other and create sacred spaces in their lives provides necessary coping tools and life skills.
Prayer practices help teens create ritual in chaos and speak honestly with the God who loves and looks out for them. Scripture stories help children to see themselves in the lives of our ancestors and recognize the patterns of God’s presence with God’s people.
At St. Matthew’s, we strive to give infants, children, teens and young adults the tools they need to have a rich, inquisitive, and resilient spiritual life in a complicated world.
Contact
Our team is made up of countless dedicated volunteers, parents, and lay leaders. We also have a clergy leader on staff whose primary job it is to focus on Children and Youth Ministry. You can learn about how your child, children, grandchildren or family friends can get involved by contacting MiaLisa Millares at kids@stmatthewsmn.org.
