Parent involvement in family ministry planning

Family ministry team adds new members: parents

Family ministry guild to work with staff and clergy to plan spiritual formation offerings

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as

these.” –MATTHEW 19:14

Family ministry at St. Stephen’s Church serves children from infancy through high school. It exists to nurture values that St. Stephen’s represents for each person: spiritual nourishment, love, and community. We strive to help young people find and follow Jesus by creating safe and engaging environments for every stage of development and growth. This vital ministry can happen inside and outside of the church. Family ministry can broadly connect with the whole family or minister to individual members. We offer a variety of formation programs for children, youth, and adults. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is the primary means of faith formation for children ages 3-12. As they worked with children, Sofia Cavalletti, a Scripture scholar, and Gianna Gobbi, a Montessorian, collaborated to create materials and curriculum for this program. This Montessori-based method of faith formation is grounded in the belief that children come to us already in relationship with God. The program was founded on two pillars: Sacred Scripture and Holy Liturgy. Through the use of Scripture and materials, which we call “work,” we invite children into a deeper relationship with God. In the sacred space where this formation occurs, called the atrium, we encourage a personal prayer life through participation in the liturgical and sacramental life of the church. Children work alongside adults who are trained as catechists to encourage the child’s wonder and awe in their spiritual journey. We often remind parents that they are their child’s first catechist, the one who helps nurture a child’s innate spirituality and love for God.

The philosophy of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is that children—even the very young—have a religious life. God is already present to them in their deepest being, and they are capable of developing a conscious and intimate relationship with God. The goal is to help each child fall in love with and be drawn into that relationship more deeply. This approach is the foundation for all formation for children By Betsy Tyson and youth at St. Stephen’s, including worship in Palmer Hall, Confirmation preparation, and youth groups. As the children grow and mature into youth, we continue to nurture their deepening understanding of and relationship with God. An important part of family ministry is working in partnership with parents. The family ministry staff is excited about a newly established Family Ministry Guild. The guild will consist of parents of children and youth along with family ministry staff and clergy. It will serve as an advisory group for the family ministry team and as an advocate for the children and youth of St. Stephen’s Church. This guild is meant to collaborate actively with other parents and build partnerships among parents, church staff, and clergy in developing spiritual formation for children and youth. The guild is designed to include parent voices and perspectives as we shape programs. We are committed to developing parent lay leadership. The following parishioners form the guild along with family ministry staff: Valerie Abbott Katherine Farley Stephanie Johnson Younga Jones Catesby Lewis Mary Lewis Barry O’Keefe Bee Schnell Ashley Tunner