“Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
Christian Formation for children and youth is a vital part of our mission as a church. St. David’s recognizes the home as a primary place of faith formation and seeks to support spiritual growth within the family. We also provide opportunities for our children, youth, and their families to grow in the faith, deepen their sense of community, and make a difference in the world as part of the wider congregation. This is accomplished through worship, formation (education) on Sundays and throughout the week, youth groups, choirs, outreach, and meaningful social engagement. Scroll down to learn more!
The success of our Family Ministries program is only made possible with volunteers. To get involved, please contact one of our Family Ministries staff members.
Family Ministries Staff
Maria Leal
Director of Children’s Formation
Email
610.688.7947 x229
Elliot VanHoy
Pastoral Associate for Youth and Adult Formation
Email
610.688.7947 x302
Sunday Children & Youth Formation
September 15, 2024 – April 27, 2025
Sunday Children & Youth Formation Overview
There are several options for children and youth to worship and learn on Sundays. Children and youth of all ages are welcome to participate in all services. Children, grades 5 and under, and parents are invited to attend the Children’s Sermon during the 9:15 a.m. service. The Primary, Children’s, and Youth Choirs also periodically lead worship during the 9:15 a.m. service. We also have an interactive, hands-on worship service at 9:30 a.m. geared toward children up to age five and those who worship with them. Can’t attend in person? Click here to access the worship livestream.
Childcare (3 months to 5 years old)
Childcare is provided during worship and select special events. On Sunday mornings, childcare is available from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for those attending the 9:15 and 9:30 a.m. services. Drop off and pick up is in the Childcare Nursery (Chapel building, lower level), where you will receive a beeper in the case you need to be reached.
Godly Play (Pre-K, Kindergarten, Grade 1)
Join us Sunday mornings in our new classroom, 10:30-11:15 a.m. as we make meaning through story, wonder, and play! Snacks and drinks provided.
Godly Play is a creative, imaginative approach to Christian formation and spiritual guidance.
Godly Play has a Montessori foundation with 40+ years of research and practice.
Godly Play values process, openness, discovery, community, and relationships.
Godly Play models the worship life, stories, symbols, and rituals of Christian congregations.
Godly Play allows practitioners to make relevant and personal theological meaning.
Godly Play nurtures participants to larger dimensions of belief and faith through wondering and play.
(Godly Play Room is on the lower level of the Chapel building, now in the room at the base of the stairs from the reception area.)
StoryMakers NYC (Grades 2-5)
Sundays can be FUNDAYS when kids learn about God’s redemption, build deep connections, and have fun together! Join us Sunday mornings in our newly designed classroom from 10:30-11:15 a.m. StoryMakers NYC curriculum believes art is the backdoor to the heart. Positive memories and lasting faith are formed through play, curiosity, social-emotion connections, and fun. StoryMakers wants our children to know God is with them, for them, and actively redeeming them. That’s a statement we can all agree on. Therefore, we are so happy to offer StoryMakers NYC for a second full year.
Please note that one Sunday a month is dedicated to an outreach project: for St. Francis Day, homemade dog biscuits; preparing dinner for Family Promise families; Blessings Bags for the homeless; and Christmas cookies for St. Gabriel’s parishioners, and more. Teaching about volunteering is important at a young age. Snacks and drinks provided. (The classroom is on the lower level of the Chapel building.)
Adult and Youth Sunday Formation (Grades 6-12 and Adults)
The Adult Forum, running Sundays from September through May, offers engaging dialogue and interactive teaching. All adults and youth (middle and high school), both experienced Christians and newcomers, are welcome. (Harrison Room is on the main level of the Chapel building.)
Children’s Sermon (Grades 5 and Younger)
Confirmation (Grades 8 and up)
Do the big questions in life leave you scratching your head? Do you ever wonder about Jesus, the Bible, Prayer, Church, and more? Then confirmation is for you! This is a time for students to discuss and question what this whole Jesus thing is really about!
Confirmation for youth is a half-year process of self-discovery and affirming of faith through interactive scripture engagement, mentorship, service, and relationship building. Open to students in Grade 8 and above. (The Harrison Room is on the first floor/main level of the Chapel building).
St. David’s Youth Fellowship Groups
The Edge (4th & 5th Grade) Fellowship
The Edge Youth Group for 4th & 5th Graders will be meeting every other month this year. Some of the events will take place on campus and others off campus. Rock climbing, movies, ice skating, outdoor games, hide and seek, board and cards games, are just a few of the activities we did last year. Did we say lunch was included? It is!
Youth Group (Grades 6-12)
This is a time for all middle school and high school St. David’s youth (grades 6-12) to get together for a time of fun, fellowship, food, and faith. We meet every Wednesday in the Youth Lounge from 7-8:30 p.m.
Middle and High School Youth Group (Grades 6th-12th)
763 S. Valley Forge Rd.
Children & Youth Choirs
Young musicians are offered three progressive youth choirs, from ages 4 to grade 12. Each provides opportunities for growth in faith, love of singing, and worship leadership through music.
Choir rehearsals for the 2024-2025 program year will return in early September. Primary (age 4 – grade 1) and Children’s Choirs (grades 2-5) and Youth Choir (grades 6-12) rehearse on Wednesday evenings; there is an additional Youth Choir rehearsal on Sunday mornings at 11:15 a.m. On Wednesdays, choir dinner is available for a fee. Register here (coming soon).
Living Our Faith
Summer Camp
For one week each summer we host a full week of faith-filled fun!
We split the morning and afternoon into two sessions featuring music in the one half and bible stories, games, and crafts in the other.
See photos from our 2022 camp below.
2024 Faith and Music Camp has ended. Stay tuned for details regarding summer 2025.
Would you like to volunteer or get involved with one of these ministries?
Fill out the form below and someone will contact you. Parents/Adults only please!