Calvary Episcopal Church Children and Family Ministry seeks to build meaningful spiritual formation opportunities through religious education, worship, service, events, and activities for Calvary parishioners.
Calvary Episcopal Church Children and Family Ministry seeks to build meaningful spiritual formation opportunities through religious education, worship, service, events, and activities for Calvary parishioners.
EpiscoPALS is a fellowship group for our young people in grades 1 through 5 that meets to play games, work on arts and crafts, tell and live into stories, engage in acts of kindness and mission, and have fun together in a loving Christ-centered community. Led by Jeremy Demarest and friends.
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The Boys and Girls Choir, made up of students with unchanged voices in grades 3 and up, sings at the 10:30 a.m. worship service. Using the Voice for Life curriculum established by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM), Organist-Choirmaster Kristin Lensch promotes a complete and quality approach to children’s music ministry that is as much a Christian education experience as it is a musical training experience. Choristers often become peer leaders over time as they progress through the program.…
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The youngest choir of the parish is the St. Cecilia Choir. They sing periodically at the 10:30 a.m. worship service and at special services. Using a variety of activities, the choristers learn to use their voices by means of hymns and other sacred songs. The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 6:15 to 7:00. At the conclusion of rehearsal, they have the opportunity to join their friends to say Compline in the nave until 7:15 p.m. The St. Cecilia Choir…
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In between our services we will have our Sunday Formation hour for all ages. Children ages 3 through 5th grade are invited to join us in the children’s wing on the second floor. Our young people will be exploring their faith and scripture through Godly Play and Weaving God’s Promises. These two curriculums are based in storytelling and designed to connect our young people deeper to their faith. We are doing everything we can to keep our folks safe and…
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Children are welcome at all Calvary worship services. Nursery care and Children’s Chapel are special options for children during worship.
Ages 0-5
Calvary maintains an excellent nursery facility staffed by trained, professional caregivers. Nursery Manager Robbie Phillips and Cassandra Booker welcome children ages 0-5. The nursery is open from 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Sundays. Nursery families will be asked to commit to supporting the health, wellness, and safety protocols, and must agree to keep children home when they are not feeling well, have COVID-like symptoms, or have been potentially exposed.
Masks are required for children ages two and up, as recommended by the CDC.
A loving atmosphere, personal attention, and age-appropriate toys and activities are all designed to make the nursery a safe, nurturing place for your child.
A child registration form should be on file for each child who attends the nursery. Child registration forms can be obtained by Miss Robbie and are kept in a secure location. Please remember to bring diapers/pull-ups and wipes with your child every time they attend the nursery. Please also bring a change of clothing with your child, even if your child is potty-trained.
Ages 3-2nd Grade
Children’s Chapel is an opportunity for children to experience the “Liturgy of the Word” in an easy-to-understand story format. Children participate in a number of ways, such as setting the altar table, listening, responding to the story, singing, praying, collecting an offering, and exchanging the sign of peace.
At the beginning of the 10:30 a.m. worship service, children follow the children’s cross out of the church to Children’s Chapel, which is held in the St. Francis Courtyard or the Great Hall. Children are escorted into the church at the time of the Peace to join their families for Communion. Masks are required for participants.
In between our services we will have our Sunday Formation hour for all ages, Children ages 3 through 5th grade are invited to join us in the Children’s wing on the second floor! Our young people will be exploring their faith and scripture through Godly Play and Weaving God’s Promises. Two curriculums based in storytelling designed to connect our young people deeper to their faith.
We are doing everything we can to keep our folks safe and healthy, and we ask you to help support us in this mission. Please keep children home when they are not feeling well, have COVID-like symptoms, or have been potentially exposed. Our formation guides and classrooms will be following protocol as set by Shelby County Schools, and masks will be required for anyone over the age of 2.
On Sundays that our young people are called to choir rehearsals, formation will look a little different. Those folks who do not go to choir will all gather in one space for fellowship and mission activities lead by Jeremy with help from the formation guides.
Children are welcome at all Calvary worship services. There also are some special options for children during worship.
Worship Folders are available at both entrances to the church. They contain bulletins based on the day’s scripture that help children encounter and understand the scripture for the day. The activities are designed to be both entertaining and meaningful as they help facilitate each child’s participation in worship. Also, look for the “Episcodoodles” notepads located in the pews.
When children become upset during church, parents may choose to help their children find peace in the church library on the second floor. Children’s books are available, and a speaker connected to the church audio system allows parents and children to continue listening to the service.
Childcare for children ages 0-5 is available
EpiscoPALS is a fellowship group for our young people that meets to play games, work on arts and crafts, tell and live into stories, engage in acts of kindness and mission, and have fun together in a loving Christ-centered community. Led by Jeremy Demarest and friends.
Parents and children ages 0-5 meet at parishioner’s homes, playgrounds, and other fun places for little people once a quarter.
Calvary’s Pre-YC are students in grades 3, 4, and 5 that meet once a quarter. It’s purpose is to prepare our “tweens” for youth group with fellowship activities and fun.
Calvary Episcopal Church’s mission is making God’s love visible in downtown Memphis. We encourage our children and youth to live into this mission as part of a safe and loving community. Contained within this manual, you will find information regarding the Children Ministry and the Youth Ministry’s guidelines, procedures, and code of conduct. The guidelines and procedures are in place to provide safety for all children and youth. Please take the time to read this manual and discuss it with your child. Expectations of parents/guardians, children, youth, and Calvary staff are outlined. Parents/guardians, children, youth, and Calvary staff are responsible for the information contained in this manual. Questions can be directed to the director of children and family ministries and/or the director of youth ministries, or a member of the clergy.
Download Medical Release, Waiver Form, Media Release, And Parent Manual Guidelines
Parents/guardians should complete a Child Registration Form for each child at the beginning of the school year. The program director will distribute and maintain forms. If any information changes during the school year, it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to inform the program director.