Family Worship

The principal service for families is the 10 a.m. choral liturgy on Sundays. Childcare for young children and Sunday school for older children are available.

In addition, all children are welcome to attend any part of the service. A carpeted area near the front of the church lets children both participate in the service and play as the sprit moves them.

We believe that the sound of children in church is "a joyful noise."

The Gospel demonstrates that Christ viewed children as critical to his mission.

"Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.'" Matthew 9:13-17:

Families and Sunday School

St. Mark's parish welcomes all families to our community of faith, and respects the many different ways that the word family is defined. Within that perspective, our goal is to foster every person's personal and spiritual development. The Child, Youth and Family Committee supervises our family programs. Come join us!

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Godly Play Sunday School Curriculum

"Godly Play" is a Montessori-based spiritual curriculum developed by Episcopal priest Jerome Berryman that allows children to have a hands-on experience in the telling of Bible stories. Through play, children find a way to connect to sacred stories and discover spirituality.

At St. Mark’s, we’re fortunate to have Godly Play artifacts that include a gorgeous all-wood Noah’s ark, complete with wooden figures of Noah and the animals; a large, felt Liturgical calendar, and a sand-tray that represents the desert. Each lesson includes singing, the lighting of a candle, a reading from the Children’s Bible and an art project or other activity. We conclude Godly Play by sharing a “feast” of crackers and juice together. At the conclusion of the lesson, the children are escorted from the Godly Play classroom into the sanctuary, so they can participate in the Eucharistic Liturgy.

Each summer, St. Mark's holds a special Sunday School program with the theme "Holy Land Adventure." The children have classes in an outdoor tent and learn about life at the time of Jesus.

Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers

St. Mark's offers toddlers and pre-schoolers the opportunity to play in our small and well-supervised nursery program. The smallness of our groups allows us to participate directly with our children and creatively explore aspects of our faith.

Other Family Events

St. Mark's encourages children to participate in services directly related to our liturgy. During the summers, a group of children bake bread, which is used in our service. Children have provided our coffee hour with snacks made in Sunday school and have helped during the Great Vigil and Easter service. We also encourage family fellowship by sponsoring family get-togethers and parties.

In addition we invite all of our members to attend a yearly inter-generational retreat held at the Bishop's Ranch. Diverse groupings of families and other members of the parish attend this much-loved event.