Children & Youth

Christian Education at St. Andrew's:
We strive to create a warm and nurturing intergenerational community where each member is connected to Christians of all ages. Many programs exist to support children and youth in their spiritual journeys. We invite you to journey with us!

Sunday School
Classes are available during the school year for children/youth ages pre-kindergarten (4) through high school every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. (coinciding with our 10:00 a.m. worship service). Children join their parents in church during announcements in order to receive communion.

Church School
We use the Episcopal Children’s Curriculum (ECC) for ages pre-kindergarten through 5th grade. This is a graded curriculum that incorporates Old and New Testament stories with study of the Sacraments and the Church from an Episcopalian perspective.

We emphasize learning is fun and utilize skits, puppets, crafts, games and other creative methods in our teaching.

The Episcopal Youth Curriculum (ECY) is used to teach the middle (grades 6—8) and high school (grades 9—12) students . There are separate classes for the middle school and high school students.

Junior Church
Four times a year all elementary children are invited to attend Junior Church in lieu of their regular Sunday School class. This provides an opportunity for multi-age fellowship as all children kindergarten through 5th grade gather together for worship and celebration. We focus on topics not normally covered in the Sunday School curriculum such as stewardship and outreach. Children are given opportunities to put their faith into action through such activities as Trick or Treat for UNICEF and a Lenten service project.

Communion Class
Open to children in the first grade and older, this class looks at the meaning of the Holy Eucharist; why we do what we do in the church service. We learn about church seasons and talk about the things that are used in worship (vestments, chalice, paten, etc.). Taught by the rector, this class meets three Saturday mornings in January.

Vacation Bible School
Christian education does not end with the advent of summer! We invite all children ages 4 through grade 5 (rising) to join us from July 10 -14, 2006 for Vacation Bible School. This is a spirit filled week of songs, games, crafts, drama and just plain fun as we study and experience the word of God.

Treble Choir
Open to all children ages kindergarten through 5th grade, the Treble Choir sings special anthems approximately every other month and participates in the music and worship of the church at special services, such as Children’s Day and Christmas Eve. The choir rehearses every Sunday morning 9:15 - 10:00 a.m. in the Upper Hall of the Church.

Other Special Events
There are many other events held throughout the year providing fun and fellowship for the families of St Andrew’s. These events include Pizza Bingo Night, an Intergenerational Lenten Movie Night, and the Blessing of the Animals Pet Show and Parade.

Christmas Pageant
The Christmas pageant is an annual tradition at St Andrew’s. All children/youth ages 4 through middle school are invited and encouraged to participate.

Recorder Ensemble This instrumental group is open to all parishioners ages 3rd grade and up. (adults included) No experience playing this or any other instrument is necessary. We will teach you. By Christmas you will be playing a song, guaranteed! We rehearse on Sunday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a..m. If interested please contact Kathy Dilenschneider or Flip Britton for more information.

Who or What is StAY?
StAY is an acronym for the St. Andrew's Youth group. If you are in middle school or high school and your family attends St. Andrew's, you are automatically in StAY. If you want to be in StAY even if you don't come to church here...we're happy to have you! You can come to any event or project. You don't have to attend Sunday school class in order to come to StAY events. (Although we'll bet you'll find both are more fun if you come to both class and StAY events.)

What Does StAY Do?
We do service projects and fun events. We also do a few fund raisers to help get the $$$ to fuel the fun. Events have included: rock climbing, roller skating, cooking spaghetti dinner for over 100 people, serving dinners at a homeless shelter, Christmas Party for an after-school program in Coatesville, Valentine's Day nursing home visits, a lock-in, senior high trips to Washington DC and New York City, parish pancake breakfast, Daniel musical in Lancaster, Hershey Park, Morning Prayer on Hawk Mountain, pool parties, youth room 'Trading

This year we have lots of things planned! Please join us!

Andrew was the disciple who brought Peter to Jesus. "We have found the Messiah." New Friends are always welcome at St. Andrew's.