Youth & Education Ministries

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School is a fun and exciting, week-long morning summer program at St. John’s. Our “parish campus” includes St. John’s Green located beside the church and Rogers Field, several acres of open space directly behind the rear parking lot. We typically have upwards of 25 children from our parish and the wider community participate. Our ‘campers’ are joined by 20-plus youth and adult volunteers for a week of summer camp fun! During the week attendees participate in worship, liturgical dance, music, arts & crafts, science demonstrations, recreation activities, mission projects and more. We provide healthy daily snacks in a safe and clean environment.

Special Programming Throughout the Year

In addition to the worship, education, and play opportunities offered each Sunday morning many fun events are scheduled during the school year that keep our kids busy and happy. Yearly activities include our Back-to School Bash, the Fall Bonfire & Compline, the Giving Thanks Program in November, the Annual Children’s Christmas Pageant, Young People’s Good Friday Program, Easter Egg Hunt, Youth Sunday, and several intergenerational programs and events throughout the year. St. John’s children are welcomed to ride our “parade float” in the Niantic Light Parade held each year in early December.

CLUB 345

We are excited to continue CLUB 345 a program for 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders this year! Once a month these young people gather together with their friends to enjoy time together for fun & fellowship. We planning lock-ins, outings, games, and so much more!

Youth Group

Youth group programs offer a chance to “live out” what we are called to do as Christians. Our youth group, the 6th to 12th graders, this year plans to bring fellowship, fun, and faith together in one group. We will meet once a month, typically on a Sunday. Some of the things we are planning are “Faith & Cinema” nights, during which we will combine thought-provoking films with pizza and good conversation; Service to Others, during which we will participate in the Food Pantry, New London Meal Center, New London Homeless Hospitality House, Habitat for Humanity, and other service opportunities; Bible Study; Games Nights; Lock-Ins, retreats, and Lock-Outs.

Sunday Nursery Care

Each Sunday, we offer Nursery Care for infants and toddlers in a clean and secure facility. The nursery is available Sunday morning from 9:45am until 12:00 noon. Childcare in our Parish Nursery is also available for special programming, as announced. Our staff nursery caregiver Sydney Dow has joined our Parish Staff this fall, and as with all Parish Staff members, she is a Certified Safe Church care provider with full background checks and references.

Middle School & High School

Because of every changing demographics of our parish population, this year youth ages 7th grade to 12th grade will be assisting in K thru 6th grade classes. They can sign up on the education bulletin board upstairs. Our middle and high school students will engage in bible study during their youth group time once a month.

Christian Education for Children

Each Sunday, beginning in early September, St. John’s Church School is offered immediately following the 10:00 am Holy Eucharist. Our Sunday program is appropriate for children pre- school age to 12th grade. Our curriculum, Weaving God’s Promise is specifically designed for children in the Episcopal Church.

Children attend the ‘main service’ at 10:00 am with their families, and once having received Holy Communion, head to their classrooms under the supervision of our church school teachers. All classrooms have the teacher’s name and grade range listed on them.

We ask that parents release their children for Church School after they have received Communion. They can exit directly out the side doors where the Amanda Murray, Director of Youth and Education Ministries or a Church School teacher will be waiting to lead them to their classrooms. The teachers will be waiting in their classrooms. All classrooms have the teacher’s name and grade listed on them. We ask that all parents return to pick up their children from their classrooms at noon.

Each classroom will have two teachers each week, an adult lead teacher and an assistant youth leader. Preschool to 2nd Grade (Upstairs) is taught by Jessica Kimble. The 3rd Grade to 6th Grade Class (Guild Room) is taught by Skip & Candi Wilson. Church school will be combined and taught by Amanda Murray during Advent, Lent, Easter, and some major holiday weekends.