What’s Happening for Youth at St. George’s?
Nursery Care and Sunday School
At every baptism of a child, the parents and godparents promise to “bring them to take their part in public worship”(see the Book of Common Prayer, page 530). To assist the parents in keeping this promise, St. George’s offers Nursery Care for infants and pre-schoolers, as well as Sunday School classes for children aged 5 to 12 years, at the 10 am celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
This arrangement involves the children coming to the Chancel steps immediately after the Opening Hymn for a Children’s Talk. Then, they go downstairs to the Hall for approximately 50 minutes of Nursery and Sunday School, returning to the Service in time to join the rest of the Congregation at the Altar Rail during the administration of the Holy Communion.
We use the Sunday School Curriculum designed and produced by St. George’s Round Church in Halifax. If you would like to review it, or if you wish to meet some of our Sunday School teachers or Nursery Volunteers, please call or email the Church Office.
Servers, Crucifers, Candle bearers and Bell ringers
Children and youth are encouraged to participate in the Church’s worship as Servers, Crucifers, Candle bearers and Bell ringers. The youngest (i.e. 4-5 year olds) can begin as bell ringers if they are accompanied by an adult. At the age of six, children may learn the carry one of the Processional Candles. Then, as they mature and grow -- both physically and spiritually – there is the possibility of them becoming a Crucifer or Server.
We believe that these duties present ways for young people to learn how to make an offering of themselves, their time and their talents to the Lord Jesus Christ. Anyone interested in finding out more are asked to call the Rector at 855-5209; or email him at parishofmoncton@nbnet
The Junior Choir
Any children who can read (even a little bit!), are welcome to help us make a joyful noise unto the Lord! The Junior Choir sings with the Senior Choir each Sunday at the 10 am Eucharist. We practice before the Service at 9:15 am, and at other times as arranged. For special festivals, such as Christmas and Easter, the Junior Choir often presents some hymns on the tone bells.
Each year on the first week in July, the Junior Choristers attend the Diocesan School of Church Music (aka ‘Choir School’) at Rothesay- Netherwood School. The Parish encourages and supports their participation both prayerfully and financially; and last year 11 of the youth attended. For this and for them, we give God thanks and praise!
The St. Michael’s Club
One Saturday morning a month (usually on the last Saturday), we gather children aged 4 to 12 years in the Church Hall for the St. Michael’s Club. We begin our time together with a portion of Family Prayer or the Service for Young People (see BCP pages 728 and 622), along with some children’s songs and hymns. Then, we divide into two groups, according to the ages of the children present, and move into our teaching session. This involves learning a Lesson from the Bible that fits in with a particular Saints’ Day or Season of the Church Year. A little game usually follows this activity, and sometimes a craft, in order to reinforce the Lesson. Just before Noon, we have some lunch together, and then off we all go!
The aim of the St. Michael’s Club is threefold:
1. To teach children the Christian Faith.
2. To relate that Faith to the Church Year
3. To provide quality time for friendships to develop amongst children and adults
Older Youth
Youth of Middle and High School ages meet on special occasions throughout the year – the highlight being the St. Michael’s Youth Conference at Camp Wildwood in McKee’s Mills for a week near the end of August.
This Fall, some of St. George’s Michaelites were reunited with their Conference friends from Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and other parts of New Brunswick at the ‘Mini-St. Michael’s Conference’ in Sackville.
Our latest projects involve preparing an Advent Tableau (a static drama without speaking parts) with the little people of the Sunday School, and the ‘greening’ of the Church and Christmas Caroling in our neighborhood.
Hopefully, in the New Year, we will resume our meetings with other youth from the Moncton and Riverview Anglican Churches.
1st Moncton St. George’s Beavers, Cubs and Scouts
 Scouting has a long history at St. George’s – the first Scout Troop being formed over 80 years ago! However, in the 1990’s it was decided that the program temporarily cease its operations. In 2005, a Beaver Colony and Cub Pack were re-established, and in 2007 a small Scout Troop was also formed. Thanks be to God!
Beavers is for boys and girls aged 5-7 years; Cubs is also for boys and girls, aged 8-10 years; and Scouts is for boys and girls aged 11-13 years. Each of these groups is intentional in reaching out to include children in St. George’s neighborhood who might not be able to afford the registration and program costs. The people of St. George’s and other interested groups in the community (such as the Royal Canadian Legion) work together with the local to provide sponsorships. We have been truly blessed with an incredible company of leaders for our groups, five of whom attend St. George’s. Their love and dedication for the children is amazing!
www.1stmonctonscouts.com
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Saint George's Anglican Church
