Children and Youth
Nursery – birth to age 3
Children’s Church – ages 3-12
Youth Group – Grade 6-12
Servers’ Guild – Grade 5+
Children and Youth
Children's Church
Sunday Mornings, 9:30-10:30 am
All Saints’ Westboro Children’s Church offers children of all ages an opportunity to enrich their faith, make new friends and share their gifts with others.
Children’s Church continues all year including the summer.
Children’s Talk
Sunday mornings start with children sitting with their parents in the sanctuary. Then children of all ages including those young at heart are invited to gather at the front for Children’s Talk before heading to Children’s Church.
Nursery & Children’s Area
Parents are welcome to take their youngest ones to the fully equipped nursery in the upper Steacy Hall. There is also a children’s area in the sanctuary with colouring, books and soft toys, allowing parents to supervise babies and young children while still participating in worship.
Children’s Church
Children ages 3-12 are invited to join together to explore Godly Play® Worship, once a month Music & Singing, and a few Sundays with a Holy Troublemaker or Saint, like St. Francis. They make their way to room 5/6 with the Children and Youth Ministry Leader or another volunteer adult after the Children's Talk. Periodically, they will participate in Intergenerational Worship Services and remain in the sanctuary.
Intergenerational Worship
Through special events and participation in worship, we aim for an intergenerational approach and the result is the children are known and valued by the congregation. Periodically, the children will remain in the sanctuary and Children’s Church will not happen on these Sundays. Notices will be shared to let you know when there will be no Children’s Church.
Volunteer Teachers
Volunteer teachers are always welcome (adults and youth ages 13+) and will be supported by the Children and Youth Ministry Leader.
Youth: Grade 7-12
There are various roles for youth on Sunday mornings. They can choose to be part of the servers’ guild (see below), help with Children’s Church or in the Children’s area, read scripture or prayers and share musical talents through singing or playing an instrument. Confirmation sessions are also offered for those in Grade 8 – Grade 12. If you are interested, please contact the Children and Youth Ministry Leader.
Programs
What is GODLY PLAY®?
Godly Play® is a spiritual practice of exploring the mystery of God’s presence in our lives. Godly Play stories help the children learn Christian language and prepare them to join adult worship. A Godly Play session mimics a liturgical worship service, but at a child’s level. Through Godly Play, children will come to understand the liturgical calendar, sacraments, advent, lent, and other big concepts in the Christian church. Godly Play practice teaches us to listen for God and to make authentic and creative responses to God’s call in our lives.- 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.
Summer 2025, Children’s Church:
The Story of Moses
We will continue to meet over the summer exploring the Story of Moses over 9 weeks. Please dress in summer clothes as it can be hot and we might head outside pending the weather.
Building Faith with Children!
Building Faith with Children will return bi-monthly on the last Sunday of the month starting in September.
Connect with others exploring how you are perfectly positioned to support God-Connected children. For parents, grandparents and carers of children.
Exploration could include: Themed topics like grief, Scripture deeper dives, Guest speakers and so much more.
Confirmation Journey
Youth (Grade 8-12)
Starts in September meeting regularly until the Episcopal Visit with Bishop Shane Parker in May 2026 for the Confirmation celebration. Please email [email protected] to express interest.
Servers’ Guild
Our young people play an important role in worship through the ministry of serving at the Eucharist. Youth aged eleven and older can take on a role of crucifer, candle bearer, and assistant during the service and in the process, plant their own roots a little deeper in the traditions and teaching of the Christian community.
Training is provided annually in the spring for new and experienced servers, giving pre-teens and teens the confidence they need to take on this leadership role.
Youth Groups (grade 6-12)
Youth gather on the evening of the second Wednesday of the month from October through May and engage in a variety of activities which could include a meal, games, spiritual practices, community support and of course, lots of fun. Laser tag, movie nights, basketball, art and games are regular items. And of course, food.
We see our youth as companions on the way, both learning from us and teaching us. We aim to give them wings so that they can go forward and continue their faith walk, well equipped and blessed by us.
Volunteer adults to help support the Children and Youth Ministry leader are always welcome especially to help with meals
