Worship
Worship is central to our existence as a parish and anchors our relationship with God and one another. We welcome all ages to our worship services (8:00 a.m., 9:15 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.), and we also offer age appropriate care and ministries for young children every Sunday of the year. For some parents, the distraction of a baby’s cry or the noise made by a young child in worship can be unnerving. We want all parents – visitors and members – to know that we understand that such distractions are a normal part of our life as a community of faith. We are creatures of habit, and children are no different from adults in needing to establish a routine and understanding of what should and should not occur during worship. The sounds of young children in worship are a welcome sign that St. Mark’s is doing its part for future generations
10:25 Sunday School
Our children learn the stories of the Christian faith in an atmosphere of love and safety, utilizing the Episcopal Church’s Weaving God’s Promises curriculum. This is an online curriculum will various activities to meet different aged children. Sunday school begins with a song and a Bible story at 10:15 am in room 123 and then the children move to individual classrooms. Children are grouped according to their school grade level and are led by teams of dedicated teachers. Newcomers are welcome to join at any time. Classes are located on both levels of the Education Wing. Children whose parents worship at 10:30 a.m. will be escorted to the sanctuary at 11:15 a.m. to rejoin their parents.
9:10 Sunday School
Available for children ages 4-8 during the 9:15 a.m. worship service. Early Sunday School moves to 9:00 a.m. during June, July, and August. Stories from the Old and New Testaments are told using the Godly Play format. This age-appropriate worship experience is multi-sensory and provides children with an opportunity to sing, pray, listen and respond in their own way to God’s Word. They are guided to the sanctuary to join their families for the Eucharist. It is located in the undercroft (downstairs from the sanctuary) in rooms 123 and 124.
Attendance:
The most important facet in developing a foundation for Christian beliefs is consistent attendance, regardless of the age it is begun. Families who attend church regularly find that their children look forward to being with their friends on Sundays and are less resistant to church because they have learned what to expect when they come to worship.
Nursery
Available for infants during 9:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. services as well as the 10:15 a.m. Sunday School and 12:00 p.m. Spanish Language Sunday School. It is staffed each week by Ms. Norma Cid, our nursery coordinator, who has been with us for over 20 years. We also have a group of parish volunteers who assist Ms. Norma each week. The nursery is found on the lower level of the education wing, room 112.
Baptism
Baptism is the sacramental rite of entrance into the life of the Christian community. We celebrate baptism at St. Mark’s when the full community is present in worship. We practice infant baptism and seek to impress upon the parents and sponsors of each child the importance of the sacred covenant they make with God when they bring a child forward for baptism. It is a rite, which sets the child’s faith formation in motion.
Allies
St. Mark’s newest addition to our Sunday School program is our Allies. Allies is St. Mark’s team which addresses various learning needs within our congregation. Based on needs, children are either integrated within the classroom with consultation, have an aide, or learn in a separate classroom).
Service
Service rounds out St. Mark’s vision of faith formation. We believe that service transforms us as well as those we serve. Sunday School classes engage in at least three service projects over the course of the year. Recent service projects have included
- Food Pantry collections
- Creating care packages for the local PADS organization (Public Action to Deliver Shelter)
- Participating in the annual Trick or Treat for UNICEF and United Thank Offering drives
- Making cards for children in hospitals
Additional Educational Offerings
Vacation Bible School
Worship, Education and Service come together annually in our week long Vacation Bible School program. This perennial favorite offers time for Bible stories, skits, crafts, games, mission collections, music and dancing. We welcome children ages four 4 to incoming 5th grade from St. Mark’s as well as the community. High school and middle school youth assist as leaders for the younger children. Click here to download a registration form.
Drama Camp
Drama Camp is led Miss Gina Wood, a drama teacher in several schools in Glen Ellyn. For questions or if you would like to help, please contact ginabina@gmail.com. For an application, please click here.
St. Nicholas Luncheon Benefit for the People’s Resource Center
Held in early December, this annual luncheon brings families together to share in the holiday spirit with the story of St. Nicholas. Families bring unwrapped gifts for the People’s Resource Center “Share the Spirit” program, and the luncheon is capped off by a visit from St. Nicholas himself.
The Annual Christmas Pageant
The Christmas story comes to life as the children bring its message to worship on the Fourth Sunday in Advent during the 10:30 am service. Rehearsals take place in early December.
We are part of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, The Episcopal Church in the United States, and the worldwide Anglican Communion.