Children’s Ministry
We believe that the primary arena for Christian Formation and discipleship is the home and the primary faith influencer of the child is the parent. The Parish and family are partners in the work of bringing our children to know and love God, and to become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.
One of the great blessings of Good Shepherd is that we are an intergenerational parish. On any given Sunday, you see babies being carried to the nursery, teens serving at the altar, parents rushing kids to a soccer match after worship, and longtime members whose faithfulness has shaped this parish for decades.
We have a variety of discipleship opportunities for the whole family.
Children in Church
Infants, toddlers, and children can minister to the rest of us, sometimes without knowledge. Your baby might smile at a widow who came to church feeling lonely, your toddler might give a laugh to someone struggling with depression, and your child’s questions could captivate the heart of an adult on his or her own faith journey. This is the beauty of intergenerational churches – we are able to minister to each other and see the Kingdom of God reflected in our pews.
Nursery | 8:00am-12:30pm
For those who are more comfortable having their children (infant - age 4) in the nursery, we have a safe and nurturing care team. Nursery Caregivers are carefully screened and receive extensive training in caring for children.
Sunday formation
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
For children ages three through third grade, we offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a gentle and deeply formative approach to discipleship. This method is rooted in the conviction that God and the child are already in relationship, and that children are capable of profound encounters with God when given time, space, and language suited to their stage of development.
Inspired by Montessori principles, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd invites children into Scripture, prayer, and the life of the Church through hands-on materials, storytelling, and quiet reflection. Rather than rushing toward answers, this approach honors wonder, repetition, and silence, trusting the Holy Spirit to work in the child’s heart.
3 Year Olds (Atrium 1) | Room 305
PK - K (Atrium 1) | Room 306
1st - 3rd grade (Atrium 2) | Room 304
Weaving God's Promises
Our 4th and 5th graders use Weaving God's Promises, a curriculum which invites children to explore the broad story of the Christian faith, helping them see how God’s promises unfold across Scripture and continue to shape our lives today. Rather than treating Bible stories as stand-alone moments, children are encouraged to notice connections—how God’s faithfulness, love, and saving work come together in the life and ministry of Jesus.
Formation is grounded in the worshiping life of the Church, especially the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. As children grow in familiarity with our prayers, symbols, and liturgical rhythms, they begin to see how worship forms us as God’s people and draws us more deeply into the life of Christ.
4th - 5th grade | Room 302
WAGS (Wednesdays at good shepherd)
On Wednesdays we have discipleship for the whole family! The parish enjoys a meal together at 5:30pm and then children, teens, and parents separate for age appropriate teaching at 6:00pm.
Children (Pre-K through 5th grade) will join Ashley Williams, our Director of Children's Ministry, in Room 302. The nursery is available for children 4 and under.
BAPTISM
Baptism is the sacrament by which we are welcomed into the life of Christ and incorporated into the community of the Church. Through water and the Holy Spirit, we are marked as Christ’s own forever and invited into a lifelong journey of discipleship.
At Church of the Good Shepherd, baptism is celebrated within the gathered community because it is not a private moment, but a shared one. When someone is baptized—child or adult—the whole congregation promises to support them in their life in Christ: to pray for them, to walk with them, and to help them grow in faith and love.
Baptism is the beginning, not the end, of a life of discipleship. At Good Shepherd, we seek to support those who are baptized through ongoing formation, worship, and community, trusting that God continues to do faithful work in and through each person who comes to the font.
If you or your child would like to be baptized, please contact Lynn Williams.