Family

Easter Morning will be a special day in 2011! At the Sunrise Service, we will baptize a number of individuals. Already, we are preparing for five children to be baptized--three on their own profession of faith, and two as infants, on the promises of the faith of their parents. We use Who Is Jesus, Anyway? or a similar course as preparation for baptism. If you, your child or infant, wants to make a public declaration of your faith in Jesus Christ, please contact Fr. Loren immediately so that we can make arrangements to include you on Easter Morning. The whole congregation will be invited to renew their own Baptismal Vows that day and to rededicate their lives to our Lord and Savior.

Here's a recipe for RESURRECTION Cookies. They are a great way to build a family tradition--make them on Saturday night as a family, put them in the oven (the tomb), seal the oven, and see what you get in the morning.

Overview and Vision

God is working at Church of Our Savior to bring together a core group of children and their parents (and grandparents). As you can see from the pictures on this website, we often have a good number of children, youth and families at Our Savior events. Too often, they come only as guests or regular visitors. Our prayer right now--and we believe God is on the verge of answering this prayer--is that a number of children, youth and parents will bond together to say that "Our Savior is our Church". As this core group emerges, a whole new chapter will begin in the life and ministry of the Church of Our Savior family.

Jacob's Family Fellowship is the name we have given to the parents and grandparents of the children and youth in our parish: Jacob was the grandson of Abraham, and his own sons gave shape to the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Thus Jacob received the content of his faith from his grandparents and parents, and he instilled that same faith in his own children and grandchildren. We want therefore to honor both the generations who come before us, and share our faith with confidence to our children and grandchildren.

Jacob's Family Fellowship aims to bring together parents and grandparents of those children in our parish, to build momentum, to share a vision, to pray for and support each other, and to take increasing responsibility for the ministry among, with and for children and youth in the parish.

Our current ministry for youth and children includes:
Children's Church on Sundays, for age 3 to grade 3
Nursery available off the side of the Church
Acolyte Program for children and teens, grade 3 and up
Children and Youth are readers and ushers in service
Youth Center available for the youth
New Beginnings Middle School Weekend
Annual St Nicholas Party
Christmas Eve Family Service
Emerge Youth Weekend
The Way of the Cross during Holy Week
Youth Leadership Camp (supports VBS, for youth 6th grade to 17years)
Vacation Bible School (for children up through 5th grade, plus Youth Leaders)
Camp Wingmann, diocesan summer camp
Other Special Events

Youth Ministry

Youth Ministry is Ready to Grow!
Over the last couple of years, we have been preparing to launch a major new effort with youth. We have taken some significant steps already both in behind the scenes and in the life of the parish. Behind the scenes, the Vestry has saved some monies and built up a reserve to launch this new effort with a part-time youth minister. That has involved shifting some of our financial responsibilities and priorities--and we have done so. Meanwhile, we have sought to give youth more visibility--as acolytes, as readers, as leaders in VBS, and with a youth center. These are but the small steps that get the long journey started. Having prepared, we are now ready to expand our efforts. At the heart of that is seeking and calling a new youth minister. There's more in the works too in terms of additional opportunities to build community and outreach for youth. So check back and see what's happening. Also don't forget to look for Church of Our Savior on Facebook.
If you are interested in the Youth Ministry position, or know someone who might be, here's the Ministry Profile (what some people call a job description). We are praying for a person with a dynamic faith and a vision for impacting youth with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And we are claiming Ephesians 3:20f---that God will answer our prayers beyond what we ask for or imagine for His glory's sake!!

Safeguarding God's Children

Safeguarding God's Children is the name of our policy and program to build a safe Church for our kids: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We offer training sessions on a regular basis both to renew certificates and to orient new volunteers to the standards and expectations of the Diocese and parish.
Click here to learn more.