YOUTH PROGRAMS AT Trinity Church

Trinity Episcopal Church is an open and diverse Christian family dedicated to serving God and all creation.  We foster spiritual growth through worship, prayer, education, service, stewardship and celebration. As a historic and landmark parish in a thriving and changing community we seek, welcome and nurture all who wish to share our journey. Updated 16 August 2008

We very much value and honor children and young people at Trinity Church. We have two forms of Sunday Christian formation experiences for young people, and we have an active Episcopal Youth Council (EYC) for young adults. We also provide nursery services for infants and very young children on Sundays and at special events scheduled during the week.

Christian Education for Children & Youth

Christian Education and formation is a vital function of Trinity Church. Christian Education is arranged by our Christian Education Commission (see Guilds and Commissions) and out part-time paid Education Director. Christian Education not only provides the fundamentals of the Christian faith and the Episcopal tradition, it also serves as an evangelistic tool to attract new members. There are five principle areas of Christian Education/Formation: Nursery, Children’s Sunday School, Children and Youth Hour, EYC, and Adult Forum. This web page is dedicated to those programs that serve infants, children, young people, and young adults.

Note that all adult volunteers (18 years and older) have been provided training in Safeguarding Our Children, a Diocesan training program to protect and nurture our children. In addition, all youth workers, adult volunteers, and paid staff have also had extensive background checks performed. We take the care and safety of our children very seriously at Trinity.

Nursery

Nursery care is provided for infants and young children through the age of 3 beginning at 9 am each Sunday. The coordinator for the nursery is Sarah. Parents of very young children are encouraged to volunteer their time in the nursery to assist her. If you want to volunteer to assist in the nursery, contact the church office (601-544-5551), and we will put you in contact with the people who do that scheduling.

Children’s Sunday School

During the academic year, Sunday school is primarily for children aged between 4 and 12. It starts at 10:15 am. We have two Sunday School teachers, and the program they follow is called "Godly Play." This is a wonderful program for younger church members. The teachers keep the children in Sunday School class during the first part of the 10:30 am Sunday worship service, and then the ushers escort the children into church in time for Children's Time with the rector. That is a time when the children gather at the front of the church and spend a few minutes with our priest who provides special time just for them. At the peace, the children return to their parents in the congregation, so that we can all take communion together. If you are unfamiliar with the flow of the Episcopal worship service, or the terms "peace" and "communion," click here for an overview of what to expect at Trinity.

Children's Formation

Children and Youth hour is for children older than 4 years. The program begins at 9:15 am. This way, the parents of younger children can attend Adult Education Hour (Rector's forum or other adult educational events), and their children can experience an age-appropriate Christian formation program at the same time. The format of the Christian formation programming they will experience is dependent on ages of children that attend.  Currently the Christian Formation period runs from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m., and then switches to a youth music program from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. This provides them with fellowship, and instruction, while having fun at the same time. 

EYC

EYC is a program for young people 12 years of age and older. As of August 16, 2008, the EYC program has determined a date and time for its meetings. The program information for EYC is made known to the congregation in The Tidings, which is the monthly newsletter, or throughThe Weekly Grail, which is the weekly bulletin distributed in Church on Sunday mornings along with the service bulletin.

In the Fall of 2007, our EYC program began with a pizza party. Below are pictures from that event.