The mission of St. John's Children & Youth programs is to be an inclusive spiritual community, we uplift families and equip them to be change agents.
The full schedule for the current season of Youth and Children's Programming Can be Found here.
Childcare (Infants to Pre-K)
The nursery is available for infants through preschoolers on Sunday mornings. It is located directly across from the sanctuary. The staff are background checked and certified in infant/child CPR and First Aid. The nursery is open every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and for special events. (No sick children, please.)
Sunday School (Pre-K – 4)
On the 1st, 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, children have the option to participates in children’s worship in the Youth Center (on the second level above the sanctuary) 10:00 a.m. - 10:40 a.m. The group joins the main worship service for the celebration of Holy Communion. A parent is required to stay in children’s worship if their child is under 4 years old.
Youth Choral Music Program (All Ages)
Our youth choristers learn and perform music led by our Minister of Music, Dr. Ben Riggs. Following the Royal School of Church Music in America curricula, choristers learn elements of music and vocal production during rehearsals. Regular participation during worship offers opportunities to perform and understand music as part of worship. The program is comprised of two age groups:
Primary & Junior Choir: Rehearsals on Tuesdays at 4:30-5pm for Ages 5-9 and 5:15 to 6:00 p.m for ages 10-14. Children and Youth ages 5-14 learn the fundamentals of music through the joy of singing. Rehearsals are fun and focus on voice production, rhythm and basic score reading. They sing in church on the third Sunday of the month at the 10:00 a.m. service.
Senior Choir: Rehearsals on 1st and 3rd Sundays, 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Youth, ages 15-18, sing in our 10:00 a.m. Sunday worship services at least two Sundays a month alongside the Adult Chancel Choir. During rehearsals, choristers learn theory, sight singing, music history and choral singing. The older members of the choir also take on leadership roles helping guide the younger children.
Pizza Club (Grades 3 – 6)
These are held the first Tuesdays of each month, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Pizza Club is a great way for kids at St. John’s to socialize and get to know one another. Join us to laugh, play games, and eat pizza and veggies. Friends are always welcome. Meetings include activities such as playing sardines, hide and seek in the dark, assembling bags containing toiletries or snacks for Sacred Space, writing prayers, playing water games, meditation time, and making ice cream sodas.
Childcare (Infants to Pre-K)
The nursery is available for infants through preschoolers on Sunday mornings. It is located directly across from the sanctuary. The staff are background checked and certified in infant/child CPR and First Aid. The nursery is open every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and for special events. (No sick children, please.)
Sunday School (Pre-K – 4)
On the 1st, 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, children have the option to participates in children’s worship in the Youth Center (on the second level above the sanctuary) 10:00 a.m. - 10:40 a.m. The group joins the main worship service for the celebration of Holy Communion. A parent is required to stay in children’s worship if their child is under 4 years old.
Youth Choral Music Program (All Ages)
Our youth choristers learn and perform music led by our Minister of Music, Dr. Ben Riggs. Following the Royal School of Church Music in America curricula, choristers learn elements of music and vocal production during rehearsals. Regular participation during worship offers opportunities to perform and understand music as part of worship. The program is comprised of two age groups:
Primary & Junior Choir: Rehearsals on Tuesdays at 4:30-5pm for Ages 5-9 and 5:15 to 6:00 p.m for ages 10-14. Children and Youth ages 5-14 learn the fundamentals of music through the joy of singing. Rehearsals are fun and focus on voice production, rhythm and basic score reading. They sing in church on the third Sunday of the month at the 10:00 a.m. service.
Senior Choir: Rehearsals on 1st and 3rd Sundays, 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Youth, ages 15-18, sing in our 10:00 a.m. Sunday worship services at least two Sundays a month alongside the Adult Chancel Choir. During rehearsals, choristers learn theory, sight singing, music history and choral singing. The older members of the choir also take on leadership roles helping guide the younger children.
Pizza Club (Grades 3 – 6)
These are held the first Tuesdays of each month, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Pizza Club is a great way for kids at St. John’s to socialize and get to know one another. Join us to laugh, play games, and eat pizza and veggies. Friends are always welcome. Meetings include activities such as playing sardines, hide and seek in the dark, assembling bags containing toiletries or snacks for Sacred Space, writing prayers, playing water games, meditation time, and making ice cream sodas.
Children's Program Values
We embrace our Christian faith in the spirit of these values:
Creative: We hold space for youth and children’s ministry with innovative, expressive, and visionary ideas and action.
Justice-Seeking: We build awareness, act on issues of equity, and serve the planet and those in need.
Open-Minded: We are welcoming, inclusive, curious, and accepting.
Compassionate: We challenge the status quo and show radical love to all.
Joyous: We support Christian spiritual growth through fun and humor.
We embrace our Christian faith in the spirit of these values:
Creative: We hold space for youth and children’s ministry with innovative, expressive, and visionary ideas and action.
Justice-Seeking: We build awareness, act on issues of equity, and serve the planet and those in need.
Open-Minded: We are welcoming, inclusive, curious, and accepting.
Compassionate: We challenge the status quo and show radical love to all.
Joyous: We support Christian spiritual growth through fun and humor.
Contact: Youth Programs Director, at youth@stjohnsoakland.org
Contact: Music Director, Ben Riggs at ben@stjohnsoakland.org
Contact: Music Director, Ben Riggs at ben@stjohnsoakland.org