Who to Contact

If you have any questions or concerns about the following information, please contact our Director of Children's Ministry, Michelle Lane at 561-746-4674 or email her at mlane@goodsheponline.org.

From the Director of Children's Ministry

We are so excited to welcome you and your children to a fun, grace-filled year of growing in faith! As you look around Good Shepherd, one of the first things you’ll notice is the number of children and youth who are part of our church family. From this, I hope you’ll see clearly that our children—and their families—truly matter.

Their presence reflects our deep commitment to incorporating children into the life and mission of Good Shepherd, and to nurturing them in a growing relationship with God. Why? Because we take seriously the call to help raise the next generation of God’s people. Your kids matter to me—and they matter to our whole church family.

Parents and caregivers, remember—you are the most important people in your child’s faith journey! We are here to walk alongside you, encouraging and equipping you as you nurture their spiritual growth. This year, we’ll also offer opportunities for parents and all adults to deepen your own faith, because we want you to have a place where your spirit is fed too.

Finally, I want to share with you one of my favorite prayers from the Book of Common Prayer. I invite you to join me in praying it regularly for the children of Good Shepherd:

“God our Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

God Bless,

Michelle Lane

Director of Children's Ministry

Sunday School Begins September 7

We’re excited to welcome children back for another joyful year of learning, growing, and discovering God’s love together!

Sunday School resumes on September 7 during the 10:00 a.m. service. Children will begin in church with their families and be invited to follow the banner to their classrooms after the opening portion of worship. All children age 3 through 5th grade can participate.

We’ll celebrate the new season with fun activities, new friends, and warm welcomes from our teachers—and there might even be a few surprises along the way! Let’s make this a great start to the year!

Click button below to register.

Sunday School Registration

Sunday School Teachers and Assistants: This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know the younger members of our church family. Join a team of dedicated Christian educators. You will be scheduled every few weeks or as often as you wish. Curriculum and materials are provided. Training is in August. All volunteers who work with children will need to complete Safe Church Training.

Kids in the Courtyard: Volunteers are needed to make lemonade before the 10:00 service and then serve it following the service. Lemonade mix and snacks are all provided. Training is available upon request. Ideally we would like a team of volunteers so you only have to serve every 4 - 6 weeks.

Lobby Greeter: Sits in the Church Office on Sunday mornings from about 9:45 am until the children leave Sunday School. (You can watch the service on livestream on the office computer.) Greets families taking the children to the nursery. Informs teachers that its time to take the children to church. Training provided! Frequency is up to you. Once a month or once a week...

Faith at Home is a regular feature of this newsletter, suggesting ways that your family can develop strong faith traditions in your home.

Starting Fresh: A Blessing for the New School Year

"Faith at Home" is a term and a strategy used by religious organizations, particularly churches like The Church of England, to encourage and support parents in raising their children to become fully devoted followers of their faith. It emphasizes that parents are the primary spiritual influencers in their children's lives and offers resources, experiences, and community networks to help families integrate faith into their daily routines through practices like prayer, reading religious texts, participating in religious services, and charitable actions.

As you prepare at home:

+ Choose a place where you can sit comfortably – it might be on the floor, round a table or even in the garden (if the weather is good enough). A rug or cushions might make it more comfortable if you are sitting on the floor.

+ Agree a time to worship together. It might be first thing in the morning, before your lunchtime meal, or before bedtime begins.

+ Decide who will lead – it doesn’t have to be an adult or just one person. Think of ways in which the youngest can also help lead.

+ Gather the things that will help create a sacred space –suggestions are a cross, Bible and candle. If you do not have these as physical objects, find or draw pictures that could be used.

+ If you enjoy singing, decide one a song or hymn to start with and one to end with. There are some suggestions at the end.

Family Ministry Page

Upcoming Events

October 1 Blessing of the Animals Service at 6:00 pm

Join us for our annual Blessing of the Animals in the church courtyard. All animals are welcome but should be on a leash or in a carrier or suitable container. We are expecting a joyful time with all the critters. This is a short, family-friendly service.

October 5 Young Families Gathering

Families with children preschool through 5th grade meet quarterly in the Parish Hall or at a Park for lunch to get to know each other.

October 11 "Dine if You Dare" Murder Mystery Dinner in the Parish Hall. Come hungry for both supper and sleuthing!

Free childcare available.

October 26 Pumpkin Carving and Prayer Service at 5:00 pm

Come and carve a jack-o-lantern and enjoy a prayer service in our outdoor chapel.

Matthew 19:14

but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”

Visit GoodShepOnline.org

www.goodsheponline.org

Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and School

The Rev. Dr. Sanford H. Groff, Jr., Rector

Mary Lou Crifasi, Interim Children's Minister

561-746-4674