Welcome to our Children’s Ministry Program, called the Kidz Zone!
St. James Children's Ministry Programs
Welcoming Children and Families
Children are the future of the church, and St. James is committed to providing different ways for children and their parents to build a deeper faith and solid community, and find their personal relationship with God.
There are children’s worship bags available located right before you enter the sanctuary. These bags are filled with quiet-time activities — coloring pages, Bible story books, tracing cards, pipe cleaners for creating, etc. Please help yourself!
To parents or caregivers:
- Relax! God put the wiggle in children; don’t feel you have to suppress it in God’s house. All are welcome!
- Feel free to sit toward the front where it is easier for your children to see and hear what’s going on. They are probably tired of seeing the backs of others’ heads.
- Quietly explain the parts of the service and actions of the priests, ushers, readers, etc. Your little ones are probably eager to know and understand what’s going on in church.
- Sing the hymns, pray, and voice the responses. Children learn liturgical behavior by copying you.
- If you have to leave the service with your child, do so, but please come back. As Jesus said, “Let the children come unto me.”
To the members of our parish:
- The presence of children is a gift to the Church, and they are a reminder that our congregation is alive and growing.
- Please welcome our children and give a smile of encouragement to their parents.
- Remember that the way we welcome children in church directly affects the way they respond to the church, to God, and to one another.
Sunday School (preschool to fifth grade)
Sunday School take place at 9:30 a.m. the FIRST and THIRD Sundays of the month from Mid-September through August.
At St. James, our dedicated and loving teachers work with children to strengthen their relationship with God while building a Biblical foundation that will transition with them through our youth program. The children learn that God’s love is with them throughout their lives and that they can show God’s love by the way they live in harmony with others, just as those in their church home nurture and care for them.
All classes use Godly Play. We have three different age groups, and your child is placed in his or her appropriate school age group.
Fishers: Preschool – Kindergarten
Seekers: First – Third-graders
Disciples: Fourth – Fifth-graders
Each year children are involved in a service project to learn the importance of helping the “least of these…”
Children’s Chapel
Immediately following Children’s Sunday school is Children’s Chapel on the FIRST Sunday of the month from October through August. During this time, all children ages 3 and up are welcome to attend. It is the perfect place to ask questions about what happens during church service; what it all means; why we sit, stand, kneel; what the readings mean to me; how we pray; what all those colors mean; etc. We take a hands-on approach to give children an understanding of not only our Episcopal tradition but how worship can be meaningful to them! Children will rejoin their families in the Sanctuary at the Peace.
Family Services
On the third Sunday a family service is offered at 10:45 am. This service is specifically designed for our children, youth and families. This service is intended to be playful, creative, curious, reflective, and reverent – always centered on our growing minds to engage the Liturgy, prayers, blessings, and each other. We will offer space for children’s center homilies, getting close to the altar, children’s music, and other creative offerings. Our aim is for the children to know they are welcome with all theiry energy, excitement, and wonder.
Vacation Bible School
VBS is one of our favorite weeks of the summer a meaningful, fun-filled time when children and friends from our partner churches come together to learn, play, serve, and grow in faith.
Stay tuned for Summer 2027 VBS dates and to find out which of our partner churches will host us next!
We were thrilled to host the 2026 Ecumenical VBS at our church where we learned we are All God’s Children. We were able to learn about different cultures, different religious traditions, and sampled some amazing food from other countries.
If you’d like more information about our children ministries please contact
Chelsea Whipple, Director of Programs, at formation@stjameswichita.org.
