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!

"Godly Play" Sunday School Curricula

"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, the children find a way to connect to sacred stories and discover spirituality.

Through the Advent season, our children have discussed the flight to Egypt, replayed the Nativity Scene and encountered the Magi. Now, with the end of Advent, they’ll discuss the cycle of the church year and prepare for Lent and Easter.

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.

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. Child care for children under three is provided from 9 AM to 11:30 AM on Sunday Mornings during the school year, and from 9:45 AM to 11:30 AM during the summer in rooms 9 and 10 of Williams Hall. Older Children are encouraged to attend church school, which is offered during the school year. Child care is also provided for special occasions.

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.