Children, Youth & Families
Children are important to St.Helen’s and they (along with their noises and their wanderings) are always welcome at any of our services. We have a special children’s corner with toys, colouring pages, books, and some extra floor space – children and their grown-ups are welcome to sit there or to take material to their seats anywhere in the church.
Sunday School
From September to June, Sunday School is offered every Sunday during the 10am service. We have two Sunday School classes: Younger and Older. Sunday School teachers greet children on arrival, directing them to Trinity Hall. They rejoin their grown-ups during the offertory hymn.
The Younger class is designed for kids from 4 to 9 – younger children can come, too, but they need to bring their own grown-up with them. This class meets every week to hear Bible stories and participate in a variety of crafts, games, and activities.
The Older class is for kids from 10-12. This class meets every other week for a time of more “grown-up” Bible study. On the off-weeks, Older kids are invited to either join the Younger kids or stay with the grown-ups in the service (and take on roles as readers or servers, if interested!).
Our Sunday School curriculums are written by our priest, the Ven. Rhonda Waters and the teachers include our clergy and a team of dedicated volunteers. At least two adults are present with the Sunday School each week and everyone involved has an up-to-date police check.
Training and mentorship is provided for adults interested in participating in this ministry.
"Parties For Children & Their Grown-Ups
Throughout the year, we hold special events for children and their grown-ups. These Parties are a chance for folks to learn together, get to know each other, and have some fun outside of Sunday morning limits.
If you have any questions about Christian formation for your children or would like to contribute to St. Helen’s ministry with children, please don’t hesitate to be in touch with Rhonda, by email or by phoning the office.
Youth
Our Youth Group meets irregularly throughout the year — and that term “youth” is difficult to define. We mix fun events and more focused events as we have time, interest, and space.
Focused conversations have led to Confirmation in the past, and those conversations still need a place to continue after people are confirmed so, about once-per-month, after our 10am service, the Youth get together to continue those conversations. This can take place through informal discussions, or the more intense “Hot Seat” events, where a selected adult is grilled by the youth present about anything they can think to ask.
Also about once per month, we get together to eat and watch a movie, then we discuss that movie, thinking about how that movie views the world, how Christians view the world, and whether those two opinions have anything to say to each other.
Keep an eye out for upcoming events!