Children & Youth
Family Ministry at St. Stephen’s Church
It is our honor and joy to walk alongside you and your family as we all grow in Christ’s love for one another and offer our children the gift of faith. We know the challenges families face today, and St. Stephen’s Church is committed to providing support and resources for children, youth, and parents. From our loving, professional nursery staff to Sunday morning formation, from youth groups for age cohorts in grades 6 through 12 to outstanding preparation for the Rite of Confirmation, from family-oriented worship to small groups, classes, and speakers especially for parents, St. Stephen’s invests significant attention and resources in this area of our lives. We are always here for you.
Our calendar for the 2026-27 program year is linked below. Registration forms for children and youth are linked in the next section.
Registration for 2026-27
There is one registration form for all children’s activities, and one for all youth activities. There is also a form for family ministry volunteers.
Family Ministry Discernment Process
St. Stephen’s Church has been engaged in a discernment process over the past year, with involvement by parishioners, clergy and staff, our family ministry guild, and a consultant. The results of that work are linked below.
FAMILY MINISTRY DISCERNMENT SUMMARY
For Children
St. Stephen’s children’s ministry nurtures those from birth through grade 5 with formation, worship, and other opportunities.
For Parents and Families
St. Stephens Church supports families with children and youth through worship, groups, formation, and fellowship designed for them.
Serving in children’s ministry
Serving in children’s ministry is a wonderful way to build relationships within our church family and across generations. Many times, young adults as well as older adults whose children have left home or find themselves grandparent-aged enjoy engaging with young children. Parents are also welcome to serve, and they may choose whether to be in the same group with their children or with children of a different age. Opportunities include sorting food pantry donations with children, being a designated welcoming presence in the hallway upstairs in the parish house on Sunday during the formation hour, and assisting with Sunday morning formation. For families involved in the Palmer Hall worshipping community, there are specific opportunities both for whole families and individual children and adults who would like a serving role in the liturgy. St. Stephen’s practices Safe Church policies and includes background checks as part of our preparation for adults aged 18 and older who work with children. Contact the Rev. Will Stanley, vicar, to learn more or to offer yourself for this ministry.
Family Ministry Calendar
Here’s an overview of the 2026-27 program year for children, youth and parents, in a PDF format you can download and print if you wish.
Signing up for youth Confirmation or acolyte service
If you have a young person in your family in 9th grade or older, they can take part in
- Confirmation preparation
- Acolyte teams
The registration for each of these activities is included in the “omnibus” form mentioned above.
Family ministry newsletter sign-up
Sign up for our family ministry email newsletter sent approximately twice a month. There is no fee or obligation. We will not give your information to anyone else.
Family Ministry Guild
Several parishioners work closely with the family ministry staff in planning offerings for children, youth, and adults; they serve as important advisors to our clergy and staff.
Co-Chairs: Greta Kidd & Katherine Farley
Children’s Ministry: Mary Ashburn Pearson, Lacy Briney, Pat Brown, Emily Souder, Adele Caputo, Sarah Paulette
Youth Ministry: Ara Hobs, Katherine Farley, Brandon Spalding, Eric Van Der Hyde, Brandy Singleton, Greta Kidd
Vestry Liaisons: Mary Ashburn Pearson, Katherine Farley, Greta Kidd, Brandon Spalding
Dogwood Preschool Liaison: Lacy Briney
Choristers Liaison: TBD
Guild meetings
Guild meetings are open to all and begin at 5:30 p.m. A new schedule for the fall will be posted here as soon as it is available.
Staff contacts
The Rev. William S. Stanley, vicar // email
The Rev. Abby Kocher, director of children’s ministry // (on medical leave until December) // email
(children’s ministry, nursery, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd)
Caroline Harris, youth ministry coordinator // email
(youth ministry, youth groups, acolytes, Confirmation, youth Bible study)
The Rev. Cate Anthony, associate rector // (on sabbatical until September 1) // email
(children’s ministry, Palmer Hall, Many Parents One Vine)
Robert McCormick, director of music // email
(St. Stephen’s Choristers)
Taylor Bigelow, nursery coordinator // email