Family Ministries

Children’s and Family Ministries seek to nurture your child’s relationship with God through opportunities that introduce the life, love, and example of Jesus. Our aim is to partner with families in the parent/child journey of discovery towards a life of discipleship and faith. Children bring gifts of joy and wonder to the church. As they begin their walk with God, we endeavor to nurture this vital relationship with encouragement and guidance. We also understand the significance of fostering meaningful friendships among children and creating faith-filled bonds between parents, leaders, and children. Children’s values and beliefs are first formed within the context of their family and part of our mission is to support parents as they develop and strengthen their own relationship with God. For more information, contact: 



Sunday Morning Family Worship Options 

Children are always welcome in worship at Holy Trinity. Green worship bags in the Narthex contain a variety of quiet ways to occupy small hands. Please return the bags and their reusable contents to the baskets after the service.


Nursery Care: The nursery for birth through four-year Pre-K is located on the first floor of the Parish House in Room 105 and is open on Sundays 8:45 – 11:15 a.m. (during the 9 a.m. service and the Sunday school hour). During Sunday school, children will sing and listen to a Bible story from the Gospel lesson for that Sunday. Our paid childcare providers, who work as Holy Trinity Day School teachers during the week, are supplemented as needed by volunteers. No pre-registration is required. Enter from the back parking lot by the door under the breezeway, and the nursery is to your left.


Children’s Chapel: Offered Sundays at the 9 a.m. service during the program year for children four-year Pre-K through 3rd grade. Parents may drop their children off 8:45 - 9 a.m. in Room 211 of the Parish House. Children hear a story, sing songs, and pray. They take turns serving as acolytes, crucifer, and ushers. Please have your children bring money for the offering, which is added to the offering in the church. Children attending Children’s Chapel join their parents in the church at the Peace for Eucharist. 


Host Families at 9 a.m. Worship Service: On the first and third Sundays, there will be a host family who serve as Greeters (handing out bulletins and greeting parishioners as they arrive) and Oblation Bearers (members of the host family bring the bread and wine for Communion to the altar during the liturgy). Members of the host family can also serve as Lectors (reading the scripture lessons for the day) and Intercessor (reading the Prayers of the People). If members of the host family are acolytes, they can also serve in this capacity. 


Children’s Sunday School Classes: Sunday school classes for kindergarten – fifth grade meet 10:15 - 11 a.m. on the second floor of the Parish House. Both classes will gather to sing with Mr. Riley in Room 211 before moving to their individual classes: kindergarten – 2nd grade in Room 209, and 3rd- 5th grade in Room 211. Each of the classes is led by two adult volunteers and use a combination of “Feasting on the Word,” a lectionary-based curriculum, and Godly Play, a Montessori-based curriculum. 


The Lord’s Prayer Milestone for K, 1st, and 2nd Graders: Prayer is the language of the heart. It is a pathway to God. We want our children from an early age to learn the words of the prayer that Jesus taught us so that they can join in praying together when we worship. To prepare, on Sunday, Oct. 6 and Sunday, Oct. 20 at 10:15 a.m., the children will have special lessons on the Lord’s Prayer during their regular Sunday school class. On Sunday, Oct. 13 at 10:15 a.m., parents and their children join Fr. David Umphlett and Marjorie Donnelly in All Saints Chapel for a special lesson on prayer. The preparation culminates on Sunday, Oct. 27 at the 9 a.m. service when the children will lead the congregation in saying the Lord’s Prayer.


Special Events Fall 2024

Blessing of Backpacks: We will bless the backpacks or briefcases of students and teachers returning to school, adults returning to the office, and anyone who needs a boost. Sunday, Sep. 8, 9 a.m. service. Everyone will receive a Backpack tag that says: Be Curious. Ask Questions.

 

Blessing of the Animals: In commemoration of the Feast of St. Francis, join us to give thanks for the animals in our lives and ask God’s blessing. We will collect pet food and supplies for Red Dog Farm, a local animal rescue. Sunday, Oct. 6, 4-5:30 p.m., Labyrinth

 

Trunk or Treat: All superheroes, magical animals, and spooky faces are welcome at our annual Trunk or Treat celebration Wednesday, Oct. 30. A pizza dinner will be served in Haywood Duke 5-7 p.m., and Trunk or Treat will begin in the back parking lot at 6 p.m. Parishioners are needed to decorate their trunks and provide treats for children. DJ Randy entertains, Kona Ice provides treats, and there are prizes for best spookiest, best in show, and most creative trunks and costumes. Wednesday, Oct. 30, back parking lot

 

All Saints’ Day Celebration: We will celebrate with special music, prayers, and a reading of the necrology at all services. At 9 a.m. following the Peace, Mr. Riley will lead a parade of children and youth singing the spiritual “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Sunday, Nov. 3, Nave

 

Advent Wreath Making: The tradition of lighting the candles of the Advent wreath brings new meaning to the waiting and hoping that fills the long December days before Christmas. Young and old, families and singles are invited to gather for a pizza dinner and Advent wreath making. Bring your own live greens and clippers. Other supplies provided. Wednesday, Dec. 4, 5:30-7 p.m., Broome Hall

 

Annual Meeting and Vestry Elections: The annual parish meeting to elect new Vestry will be held Sunday, Dec. 8, after an abbreviated 9 a.m. service. While the adults meet, children and youth will gather in Haywood Duke (at 9 a.m.) to make crafts for a Christmas outreach project. Sunday, Dec. 8, 9:45 a.m., Nave (adults); 9 a.m., Haywood Duke (children and youth)

 

Birthday Party for Jesus: Wear your favorite pajamas to our Birthday Party for Jesus during Wednesday Night Supper, Dec. 18. Breakfast for Dinner is served from 5:30-7 p.m. in Haywood Duke with Christmas crafts for the children. Youth are invited to help children at the craft tables. The evening culminates with singing “Happy Birthday to Jesus” and everyone enjoying birthday cake! Wednesday, Dec. 18, 5:30-7 p.m., Haywood Duke Room


Special Events Spring 2025 

Learning God’s Law: The Ten Commandments Milestone: On Sunday, Feb. 23 and March 2 at 10:15 a.m., 3rd-5th graders will have special lessons on the Ten Commandments during their regular Sunday school class. On Sunday, March 9, Fr. David Umphlett and Marjorie Donnelly will lead a family-friendly conversation in the Chapel with the children and their parents about God’s laws. On Sunday, March 16 at the 9 a.m. service, the children will lead the congregation in reading the Decalogue (the Ten Commandments) followed by a party for the children during Sunday school.

 

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Burying the Alleluias, & Mardi Gras Carnival: Gather at 5:30 p.m. outside Haywood Duke and process to the Columbarium to bury Alleluias for the season of Lent. A pancake supper and Mardi Gras carnival with pancake races and pancake decorating follows. Tuesday, Mar. 4, 5:30-7 p.m., Columbarium and Haywood Duke

 

Price Scholarship 2025: Seniors in high school who are confirmed members of Holy Trinity are eligible to apply for the Price scholarship, which provides $16,000 if they attend an accredited four-year college or university as a full-time student for four years. Candidates must demonstrate commitment to achieving success during high school and in future collegiate studies and have financial need. Applications will be available online Monday, Jan. 13 with a due date of Thursday, Mar. 20.

 

Parent-Child/Youth Stations of the Cross: On Sunday, April 6, parents will join their children and youth for Stations of the Cross for families. Parents and children ages four through 5th grade will meet on the Labyrinth immediately following the 9 a.m. service (Broome Hall in case of rain). Parents and youth 6th-12th grade will meet in the Youth House.

 

Easter Day Nursery and Flowering of the Cross: We will have nursery care during both April 20 services. During the 9 a.m. service: birth to two in Room 105 and three and four in Room 102. During the 11:15 a.m. service one nursery: all children birth to four in Room 105.

 

Flowering of the Cross is at the 9 a.m. service. All children come to the church at the beginning of the service and sit with their families. Bring flowers to flower the cross. (Do not go to Room 211 for Children’s Chapel). Children will be dismissed immediately after they flower the cross for a special Children’s Chapel in Broome Hall.

 

Vacation Bible School registration opens in February. Open to rising four-year-old Pre-K through rising 5th graders. Rising 6th graders and older can serve as Junior Shepherds. June 16-19