Saint Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church

Education and childcare are a vital part of the life of St. Gregory’s. Nursery care is available from 8:30 to 12:45 every Sunday. Our nursery is in a beautiful, well lit room with lots of space for children and caregivers. The environment offers rest and play spaces with lots of toys. Caregivers are trained and really take an interest in our children.

Families are encouraged to arrive for children’s education between 9:15 and 9:30. We provide really great coffee and substantial breakfast snacks for kids until 10:15 every Sunday. If getting breakfast at home is a big hassle, come early and enjoy coffee and snacks in the Rotunda.

The education hour begins at 9:30. Classes are offered for all ages of children, youth and adults.

Young children meet in the new Godly Play classroom, located on the ground floor of the administration building. You can enter the Godly Play room either from the outside door (it will be clearly marked!) or down the stairs in the admin building. You can learn more about this wonderful Montessori based curriculum here.

Older children meet in the Chapel, off of the Rotunda, under St. Francis and the wolf. The “chapel kids” are learning more about our dancing saints. Using the same principles and techniques of Godly Play, children interact with these saints’ stories and explore the way the saints relate to their lives.

Junior high school youth will be in the Fabian Room, off of the Rotunda, under Sadi and the Tiger, as they continue the Quest. This is an opportunity for youth develop their own way of moving into adulthood.

High school youth will meet at Whole Foods Café to share their stories and news and learn how to support each other in community.

Adults will gather in the seating area for the Adult Forum. The forum will include both lecture and conversation.

The adult forum concludes at 10:20 and children’s classes conclude at 10:40. We ask that the parents of younger children go to the Godly Play classroom to pick them up and bring them upstairs to the Rotunda for the liturgy. Older kids are asked to check in with their parents when their classes conclude.

Younger kids are welcome to sit in the children’s space, next to the presider’s chair, so they can have a better view of the action of the liturgy. The children’s area has cushions for sitting, and “busy bags” containing crayons, paper and activity sheets. Children’s chapel takes place after the Gospel reading in the chapel. The children’s preacher tells a story, or enacts the gospel, uses a Godly Play story, or leads a song or activity. The children’s chapel time is 20 - 25 minutes long. Children return to the other liturgy after the sermon for the alleluia procession where they may greet the gospel book. Some of the children bring the gifts of bread and wine to take to the altar.

St. Gregory’s makes room for children to participate as leaders in the liturgy, reading the Scriptures or assisting at Communion. Please talk to one of the clergy or vested assistants on Sunday if your child is interested in leading in the liturgy.