“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
Email
610.688.7947 x302
Sunday Children & Youth Formation
September 14, 2025 – April 26, 2026
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 as we make meaning through story, wonder, and play! Snacks and drinks provided.
Now, at the present time where we feel the need to meet children in their modernistic world, Godly Play is a unique way to present the beautiful and expressive truths of the bible in a very simple, natural form with no bell or whistles. “In most religious education, children are told who God is. In Godly Play, children discover who God is.” Using the principles of learning in the Montessori method, we share spiritual education in a beautiful, peaceful, intimate manner, demonstrating the power and richness of God through meaningful and intentional presentations of his word. The storyteller, serves as a guide to the truth being told, then sits back and asks, “I wonder…?”
(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 through a grace-based curriculum by StoryMakers NYC! Snacks and drinks provided.
Please note that one Sunday a month is dedicated to an outreach project. Examples include: 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.
(The classroom is on the lower level of the Chapel building.)
More about StoryMakers:
StoryMakers NYC’s approach is one of grace. “Before you were born, I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5). In this verse, we hear God’s love for us before we even existed. This frees us to explore God’s story without the expectation that God simply desires excellence from creation. Instead, we trust that his true desire is for a relationship that is rooted in his redemptive actions toward us. From this place of being loved by God first comes forth our desire to tell God’s story to everyone. We believe God speaks to us through Scripture. He has spoken to us through the experience of real people and God’s intervention in history.
StoryMakers NYC breathes new life into the old stories. The Bible is beautifully written, and peppered with drama, rebellion, and real humanity. Scripture does not shy away from the human experience or humanity’s deep need for divine intervention. Our mission is for kids to connect to God’s story through play, art, and social-emotional connectors. Our desire is for kids to know they are loved, forgiven, and a part of God’s story.
The imagination is a unique entry point to the ancient, living, and ultimate story found in the Bible. StoryMakers NYC creates content that meets kids where they actually are and shows them how their own life stories are woven into God’s redemptive narrative.
Adult and Youth Sunday Formation (Grades 6-12 and Adults)
The Adult & Youth 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. Find the schedule of forum topics. (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.
Youth Choir – Sundays
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 2025-2026 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. Details will be provided to registered choir members.
Living Our Faith
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!