Childcare (Infants to Preschoolers)
The Nursery is a welcoming, joyful, and safe place to make friends. Conveniently located directly across from the sanctuary, the cheerful space features large windows looking out on the patio and is filled with books and toys. The wonderful and experienced director of childcare facilitates play with the children, reads a Bible story, and serves a snack. She is supported by a youth staff and is 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 (Grades K – 5)
During the school year, children can meet in the upstairs classrooms for Sunday School while parents attend the 10:00 a.m. service, except on the third Sunday of the month when everybody attends the Family Service. Trained volunteers teach a Bible-based lesson, then the children retell the Bible stories with “Godly Play” interactive pieces. The teachers escort the children into church in time to join their families after the Peace for the Eucharist.
Level Up (All Ages)
Level Up is a new program currently being developed and piloted at St. John’s to help families develop spiritual practices based on their personal values. Working with our clergy and youth director, families develop a customized plan to incorporate rituals in their daily lives that are intentional and practical, and result in positive outcomes.
The first step is to prioritize 4 or 5 values from a deck of “Values” cards, such as gratitude, creation, giving, and kindness. The next step is to identify practices that will help establish habits and behaviors associated with these values, such as saying grace before dinner, spending time outdoors without electronics, letting a sibling play with a favorite toy, or offering to do a chore without being asked.
The plan is turned into a star chart so that families can set goals and track their progress. Encouraging deliberate actions based on specific values takes the guesswork out of parenting, instills spiritual practices, and strengthens family values. As children and parents complete their goals, they are recognized and celebrated by the community in church.
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 Thursdays, 5:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Children ages 4-10 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 Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Youth, ages 11-17, sing in our 10:00 a.m. Sunday worship services at least two Sundays a month alongside the Adult Chancel Choir. During weekly rehearsals, choristers learn theory, sight singing, music history and choral singing. The older members also take on leadership roles helping guide the younger children.
Pizza Club (Grades 3 – 6)
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. We meet on the 1st Thursday of every month during the school year from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. A donation of $5 per meeting, per child is suggested.
The Nursery is a welcoming, joyful, and safe place to make friends. Conveniently located directly across from the sanctuary, the cheerful space features large windows looking out on the patio and is filled with books and toys. The wonderful and experienced director of childcare facilitates play with the children, reads a Bible story, and serves a snack. She is supported by a youth staff and is 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 (Grades K – 5)
During the school year, children can meet in the upstairs classrooms for Sunday School while parents attend the 10:00 a.m. service, except on the third Sunday of the month when everybody attends the Family Service. Trained volunteers teach a Bible-based lesson, then the children retell the Bible stories with “Godly Play” interactive pieces. The teachers escort the children into church in time to join their families after the Peace for the Eucharist.
Level Up (All Ages)
Level Up is a new program currently being developed and piloted at St. John’s to help families develop spiritual practices based on their personal values. Working with our clergy and youth director, families develop a customized plan to incorporate rituals in their daily lives that are intentional and practical, and result in positive outcomes.
The first step is to prioritize 4 or 5 values from a deck of “Values” cards, such as gratitude, creation, giving, and kindness. The next step is to identify practices that will help establish habits and behaviors associated with these values, such as saying grace before dinner, spending time outdoors without electronics, letting a sibling play with a favorite toy, or offering to do a chore without being asked.
The plan is turned into a star chart so that families can set goals and track their progress. Encouraging deliberate actions based on specific values takes the guesswork out of parenting, instills spiritual practices, and strengthens family values. As children and parents complete their goals, they are recognized and celebrated by the community in church.
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 Thursdays, 5:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Children ages 4-10 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 Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Youth, ages 11-17, sing in our 10:00 a.m. Sunday worship services at least two Sundays a month alongside the Adult Chancel Choir. During weekly rehearsals, choristers learn theory, sight singing, music history and choral singing. The older members also take on leadership roles helping guide the younger children.
Pizza Club (Grades 3 – 6)
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. We meet on the 1st Thursday of every month during the school year from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. A donation of $5 per meeting, per child is suggested.
Contact: Youth Programs Director, Kellor Smith at youth@stjohnsoakland.org
Contact: Music Director, Ben Riggs at ben@stjohnsoakland.org
Contact: Music Director, Ben Riggs at ben@stjohnsoakland.org
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