Younger Children at St. Andrew's

We believe that Christian formation begins at home. As with any education, a child's first and most important teachers are his parents. When a child sees her parents pray and draw on their faith on a daily basis, she will similarly grow up grounded in a strong foundation of faith.

At St. Andrew's, our formation program is meant to complement the faith learned at home. Parents are encouraged to discuss and reinforce the lessons from worship with their children, as well as to further their own Christian formation by taking advantage of the adult formation opportunities offered.

Infants and toddlers: During Sunday 9-11 a.m. adult formation and  worship we have a comfortable nursery staffed by responsible students from Baypath College where you may leave your child for some or all of the service. Alternatively, if you prefer to bring your child to the service, you may wish, at times, to take advantage of our "crying room," a sound proof room in the church transept which allows parents to see and hear the service when their children are being vocal!

For children in Pre-K through grade 2, St. Andrew's offers Let's Go Fishing, a formation program based on the Spark Lectionary curriculum.  It is an innovative way to experience church school which takes seriously the spiritual development of children while providing creative and exciting activities that engage children in a whole new level of learning retention. 

For children in grades 3-5: St. Andrew's offersOn The Edge, a formation program based on the Spark Lectionary curriculum.  Youth are given Spark NRSV Bibles and encouraged to use stickers and mark their Bibles.  Interactive activities are used to help reinforce the lesson.

Let's Go Fishing and On The Edge classes meet most Sunday during the academic year at 9:45 a.m. for the reading of the story/lesson for the day, focusing on the same readings that are being read in church.  From 10-10:30 they move to their individual classrooms for age appropriate activities that further explore the day's story, and then join their parents in church for the passing of the peace and communion.

Other ways for children to be involved:

Acolytes: Children and youth from Grade 4 and up may choose to be trained to serve as acolytes, participating and assisting in worship services on a scheduled, rotating basis.

For more information on any of the programs above contact our formation director by emailing  formation@st-andrews-longmeadow.org, or by calling the parish at 413-567-5901 ext. 5