Children & Youth
All Saints' Lighthouse
The All Saints' Lighthouse encompasses the children and youth ministries at All Saints'. Our children are a beacon of light to our church family and the community. We invite you to join us for programs of story, art, theatre, song, play, and exploration. Learn about Sunday School, Nursery care, Children's Chapel, EYC, and our other Children and Youth Programs.
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Lighthouse News and Events
(Infants to 3 years old) While infants and toddlers are welcome in church, please know that we have a loving and safe Nursery in Gregg House available from 8:30 a.m – 1:00 p.m. every Sunday.
Sunday School Classes & Children's Chapel
Sunday School is held from 9:20 a.m. - 10:20 a.m. each week in the upstairs wings of Gregg House. PreK - 5th Grade classes are in the north upstairs wing. 6th - 12th Grades classes are in the south upstairs wing. A member of the All Saints' Lighthouse Team will be in the hallway to welcome and guide children to Sunday School.
Godly Play (PreK - 2nd Grade) - our youngest Sunday Schoolers explore Biblical concepts through Godly Play, a Montessori-inspired curriculum that encourages children to explore their faith in their own unique ways. There are two classes of Godly Play organized by age: PreK - Kindergarten, and 1st - 2nd Grade.
All Saints Production Company (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades) - In the "Production Company", children explore their faith through creativity, centered around a spiritual theme. Each year the class creates a Bible Theme Park for younger classes to visit, produces and shares two films about select Bible stories from the year's curriculum, and presents a "Bible Time Machine" performance in the spring which recaps the stories all classes have studied through the year.
Youth Sunday School (6th-12th Grades) - The eldest of our youth come together during Sunday School time to explore who they are and investigate their own beliefs in a faith community. The youth discuss current events and how it impacts them, study sacred stories and how they are still relevant in our current lives, and play games that teach them about God. All are welcome, and questions are encouraged.
Sunday School is immediately followed by Children's Chapel. If you do not wish your Pre-K to 2nd grader to attend Children's Chapel, please meet them in the north lobby of Gregg House promptly at 10:20 a.m.
Children's Chapel is a meaningful program of Bible-based music, movement and stories. Children’s Chapel is offered for Pre-K to 2nd grade children during the 10:30 am worship service. The children are guided through a Bible story, songs and games, and end with some play time on the playground.
The Chaplains lead the children back to their families in the Sanctuary at the exchange of the Peace, just before the Eucharist begins. The Chapel of the Holy Spirit is located on the northeast corner of the lower level of Gregg House; use the wooden door that faces 27th Street.
Pick-up and/or transition to Children's Chapel - The 3rd to 5th graders will meet their parents in the north lobby of Gregg House. Pre-K to 2nd graders will move with the Children's Chaplains from Sunday School, through the Sunday School pick-up area in the north lobby of Gregg House, and on to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit for Children's Chapel. The Chapel of the Holy Spirit is located on the lower level in northeast corner of Gregg House. The Chaplains guide the children back to their families in the Sanctuary at the exchange of the Peace, just before the Eucharist begins.
EYC - Episcopal Youth Community
EYC is a special fellowship group for those in the 6th through 12th Grades.
Our EYC meets two Sundays a month from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m., following the 10:30 a.m. service. We eat lunch together, and follow lunch with some sort of activity - games, field trips, cooking experiments, and service projects in coordination with other church ministries helping out around the church. Our goal is simple - have as much fun as we can, and be excellent to each other! On a typical Sunday, please plan to bring $5 for lunch, and know that friends are always welcome.
EYC is a core part of our youth program. We believe that youth groups can be one of the most important groups a young person belongs to. For six years we travel together through the challenges of middle school and high school. We create a safe space to talk about our lives, enjoy spending time together, consider spiritual matters, or live out our baptismal covenant. Our youth community is a place for a young person to grow into themselves in Christian community. Some of our events are devotional; some are just for fun; but all are in the company of others on the Christian path.
The Order of the Junior Daughters of the King was formed in January 1896, based on the pattern of the Senior Daughters of the King. St. Joan's Chapter of The Order of the Junior Daughters of the King is an order of baptized girls and young women ages 7-20 years, who take a vow of prayer and service, study, support of the Christian community, and for the extension of Christ’s Kingdom. The Junior Daughters at All Saints' meet from noon to 1 p.m. on the 4th Sunday of the month in Laura Corner Library (upstairs in Gregg House). Christian girls are invited to attend any of the Junior Daughters meetings as a guest.
Acolyting presents a visible and tangible way that the youth serve the parish as well as a way that they participate in stewardship by offering their time and talent. The acolyte program at All Saint’s is philosophically part of our youth ministry. Acolytes rotate among four acolyte roles at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service. Acolytes have an opportunity to serve as Crucifer/Altar Server, Gospel Server, Gospel Torch, and Epistle Torch. With this approach, we seek to instill in the youth that all roles at the altar are important and that serving your parish when it needs you represents true service.
We do just-in-time on-the-job training. New acolytes review and rehearse their roles 20-30 minutes before their Sunday morning service, focusing on what to do and how to serve with the appropriate decorum and posture.
Acolyte Sponsors support the acolyte program (1) by ensuring teams are ready before services and (2) by assisting with acolyte training. Additionally sponsors facilitate rapport and communication with other groups who serve at the altar.Sponsors get on-the-job training also so no previous acolyting experience is necessary. Fundraisers are held periodically to subsidize some costs of the trip to the National Acolyte Festival. We take advantage of our location by offering the church parking lot for the UT home football games asking for freewill donations.
We welcome all parishioners to become involved with the Acolyte ministry, especially youth of acolyting age (9+ years old) and their parents. We are ready to help you serve in this ministry.
