We know that church can be stressful for parents – one more place where you’re trying to ensure they’re well-behaved while trying to keep them engaged. We also know you need to be refreshed and renewed. So here at St. Paul we welcome ALL children, unconditionally, as Christ welcomes them. Whether they’re cheery or sullen, shy or outgoing, of any gender, identity, or ability, here they are welcome and proclaimed beloved of God. Other parents, Sunday School teachers, and ‘adoptive grandparents’ are all here to help teach your child faith in God’s love and allow you to engage in worship. We are committed to loving and accepting your child just as God loves and accepts us: unconditionally.

SUNDAY MORNING

We love to have children in worship; their wiggles and noises are welcome and often evoke a smile or helpful hands from the community.

We invite families to use any of these options, depending on the day…

Children’s bulletin: there is one activity page for readers and another for non-readers.
Books and worship bags are available to borrow (look to the left of the door).
All children are invited to come forward during the Children’s Message.
Children can proceed upstairs after Children’s Message to the classrooms on the 2nd floor.
There you will find:

• Nursery – a bright, responsive, and well-equipped space for our youngest, birth to age two or three. The nursery is open year-round 10 am until the end of service.
• Pre-school for ages 3-5, year-round. You may bring your child from the nursery or pre-school downstairs for Communion.
• Spark Sunday classroom for elementary aged children during the school year.

In all spaces, we strive to provide nurturing, cooperative environments that offer a first introduction to St Paul as a safe, caring environment. Children are invited to play and learn as well as to begin to develop life-long friendships with peers as well as honorary “aunties” and “uncles.”

Sunday school is 9:30-10 am during the school year.

Wednesday Program for Adults, Families, Children & Youth

Join us for Dinner at 6pm. Then participate in

• Christian Education 6:45 pm – 7:30 pm
  Both Sunday and Wednesday classes use Sparkhouse curriculum.
• We share a Bible story and relate its message to our daily lives through skits, crafts, games, discussion and open-ended questions. Kids are invited to walk, run, jump and grow their Christian faith.

The Wednesday program is currently happening once per month. Check the calendar for dates!

Seasonal Programs

It may be our traditional Christmas play, pancake breakfast, a visit from Martin Luther, Parents Night Out, Intergenerational game night or BASE Camp (Bible Adventure Summer Enrichment). BASE Camp is always the highlight of our summer.

Watch our 2020 Online Christmas Pageant!

Milestones

Visit our Life’s Big Events page to learn more about Baptism and Confirmation.

At St. Paul, parents are responsible for determining when their child is ready to take communion. Learn more about communion at our What to Expect page. Or contact Pastor Holly if you would like to discuss your child’s readiness.

Youth Groups (East Bay Lutheran Parish Youth Program)

East Bay Lutheran Parish Youth Program website and Youth Facebook page

The East Bay Lutheran Youth Program (EBLYP) is an active and growing youth program and energetic part of church life among the East Bay Lutheran Parish congregations. Our Pastor of Youth Ministries, the Rev. Craig Minich, coordinates and gives direction to the four youth groups:

• A Family Ministry Group for families with children from preschool to second grade
• The G.E.T. elementary youth group for kids grades 2-5. G.E.T. stands for God’s Elementary People Together. (The P is silent.)
• A middle school group called M.Y.L.K. (Middle Youth Lutheran Kids)
• A senior high group, called S.N.L. (Sunday Night Live)

Youth from five congregations (and their friends) presently participate in the EBLYP: Resurrection Lutheran Church, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, and United Lutheran Church in Oakland, CA; and Trinity Lutheran Church in Alameda, CA. About 15-20% of our members at each of our churches are children, and we take development of their faith seriously.

Activities include: trips to regional and national youth events (and the accompanying fundraising); community service projects; social events like ice-skating and indoor rock climbing; family campouts, picnics, and snow trips; and enhancing the worship life of the church.