At the 9:30 hour all children are invited to attend Sunday School instruction. Classes for kindergarten through fourth grade are held in the "Children's House" building. The classes are divided into K through 2nd grade and 3rd and 4th grade. The curriculum is Bible based, age appropriate, and is formatted for use in the Anglican Church. All of our Sunday School teachers are parents who understand and appreciate the challenges of today's culture when it comes to nurturing children to grow in their faith and Love for the Lord.

During our 10:30 service, just before the sermon, the children in 1st through 5th grade are dismissed to attend children's church. Children's church begins with praise songs and an opening prayer. We consider our children's chapel area to be a Holy place and we welcome the Holy Spirit in all that we do. Our Gospel readings are in keeping with the same liturgical calendar used in our main service. The first Sunday of each month is a special time of soliciting prayer requests from all the children and then assigning them to their "Prayer Partner" for the entire month. Other priorities include learning about the Trinity (God our Father, Jesus His son and our Savior, and the power of the Holy Spirit) the Church colors, learning about the Church calendar, and listening to "Sacred Stories" that involve Montessori based materials and techniques. We are acutely aware of the safety of the children and take special care to ensure their return to their parents during the sharing of the Peace.

All of us in the children's ministry at Saint Anne's are deeply committed to the spiritual formation of all children everywhere. We consider it a great honor and special responsibility to play even a small role in this endeavor. As parents we understand what it means to be raising children in today's world and the challenges we face in keeping their eyes on Jesus. He spoke often about children and wanted His disciples to understand how childlike qualities can bring us closer in relationship to our heavenly Father. We consider Jesus' consideration and appreciation for children to be a calling for all people to treat children with respect and dignity. We encourage the participation of all of the members of Saint Anne's community to "raise" our children as God's own beloved.

"Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" Matt 19:14

Gary & Lisa Gilbert, Children's Ministry Directors,
760-720-0921