Children & Youth

Children & Youth Formation

Formation for Younger Children | Register Here
Sunday School for younger children up through fourth grade will be led by Children & Young Families Minister Mrs. Kate Given and her staff, following the research-backed Godly Play curriculum. For children participating in the Children’s Choir, rehearsals will be held during the formation hour on the second and fourth Sundays of the month, beginning September 24th. Each family with younger children will then be able to choose a formation track for their child or children; either weekly Sunday School formation in the classroom or a hybrid of both Sunday School and Children’s Choir rehearsals, alternating between these two important formation experiences each week.

Formation for Youth | Register Here
Sunday School for youth in middle school and high school (5th – 12th grades) will be facilitated by formation staff with support from parish clergy. This group will follow the lectionary-based curriculum Feasting on the Word. The curriculum will offer our youth the chance to explore and discuss the readings appointed for each Sunday before coming to church. You can review a sample of the youth curriculum online. Please note that the Youth Orchestra will continue to hold its rehearsals following the 10:30 a.m. service.

News for Children, Youth & Young Families

Worshipping Together in the Church (Original Post Date: August 30, 2023)

We want to acknowledge that there is some anxiety within the parish around the idea of keeping our younger children in church for the full service. With this in mind, the nursery will be open to children up through age five beginning on September 10th. Additionally, there will be a livestream of the 10:30 a.m. service broadcasted in the multipurpose room just off the parish hall for anyone who needs a break. The use of these resources is only an invitation for families, and by no means a requirement. Our clergy and music staff will work together to keep the 10:30 a.m. service lasting just about one hour.

During this challenging time, the vestry and I ask that we all continue to extend as much grace towards one another as possible. Please be patient and gentle if there is a little more joyful noise during our worship.

Children & Youth Formation Committee Forming (Original Post Date: August 30, 2023)

On Sunday, October 8th at 9:30 a.m., vestry liaisons for formation Judy Carlson and Terry Hathaway and parish clergy will host a conversation for parents regarding the future direction of our formation programming for our children and youth. One of the goals of this meeting will be to establish a committee among these parents that will meet at least one time during each quarter of the year. We encourage parents of children and youth to attend, and if you feel so called, to join this committee.

Please contact Terry Hathaway and Judy Carlson if you would like to discuss these plans for formation for the future.

Upcoming Events

Grace & Holy Trinity offers a diverse amount of ways for our children and youth to engage with our community. We highly encourage you and your family to save the date for the following family friendly events, though children and youth are always welcome to participate in any activity at GHTC. Please contact Children & Young Families Minister Mrs. Kate Given for more information.

• Commissioning of Sunday School – September 10, During the 10:30 a.m. Service (Church)

• Children’s Choir Meet & Greet – September 10 at 11:45 a.m. (Library)
  Please come meet and greet Abigail Stinnett, one of the Children’s Choir & Youth Orchestra directors. The session will be on Sunday, September 10th, 2023 at 11:45 a.m. in the library. Children’s Choir members (Pre-K thru 5th grade), as well as Youth Orchestra members (Upper Elementary, Middle School, and High School), and parents and prospects for both groups are all invited. The purpose of the meetings is to allow Abbey an opportunity to get (re)acquainted with you to discuss some of our ideas and hear your thoughts as well. We will also talk about the first Children & Youth Sunday on October 29th (an afternoon event). For more information, please contact Stan Baker.

• Parish Ministry Fair – September 17, Following the 10:30 a.m. Service (Parish Hall)
  Youth are invited to come to the Parish Ministry Fair to find out more about GHTC’s service to our community. Each youth will receive a passport when they enter the fair. Once they have found out about five ministries and gotten the ministry leader’s initials on their passport, they will receive a small token of GHTC’s appreciation.

  Youth are always welcome to participate in any activity at GHTC and can, of course, sign up to participate during the fair. We also realize how busy their lives are so the passport’s objective is not to add one more thing to their overflowing plates. It’s to help them know more about GHTC’s ministries.

• Youth Sunday Funday – September 24 (Busch Gardens Williamsburg)

• Children & Youth Sunday, Grace & Holy-ween, & Parish Picnic – October 29 at 4:00 p.m. (Roslyn)

• Parents’ Night Out – November 10 at 5:00 p.m. (TBD)

• Youth Sunday Funday – November 19 (Bowtie Cinema)

• Advent Wreath Making – December 3 at 9:00 a.m. (Parish Hall)

• Caroling in Monroe Park – December 10 at 4:30 p.m. (Monroe Park)

• Holy Strollers Holiday Lights Walk – December 19 at 4:30 p.m. (One Monument Avenue)

• Childcare During Christmas & Holiday Services
  Childcare is available on Christmas Eve, December 24th, beginning at 1:30 p.m. and concluding at 7:00 p.m. There will be no childcare provided for Christmas Day, December 25th, nor New Year’s Day, January 1st, 2024. 

Photo Recaps of Past Events

Click on photos to see more in the gallery.