Greetings and News!
Hello, current and prospective St. Bart’s families! We are thrilled you are here to learn more about our programming and our parish.
The Education Committee met with the wardens and Rev. Amanda in to discuss the best way to continue supporting our youth of all ages. Our discussions took into consideration the new Vision and Strategies formed by committee heads and approved by the Vestry. One of our goals is to expand Youth offerings outside of the Sunday church service schedule, since families find it challenging to participate every Sunday morning.
We have welcomed and enjoyed the addition of Rev. Amanda’s children’s homily at the beginning of the service during certain liturgical seasons.
Plans for the 2024-2025 school year
Like many church communities, St. Bart’s is always assessing what is working well and where there may be areas to make adjustments. When we consider the Sunday school program, we have been privileged to have many dedicated and loving volunteer Sunday School teachers. However, it is apparent that attendance during Sunday school has been quite low for several years. Given this—and after careful thought, prayer, and discussion—the Youth Education Committee (in consultation with the Vestry and Reverend Amanda) has decided not to offer Sunday school this year.
This was a difficult decision. The church has grown to include several new, young families, and the community is highly invested and involved. This is not to say that we will never offer Sunday school again in the future. For now, though, we will explore other ways to meet the spiritual needs of children and families. For example, we hope to encourage parents and children to participate during Sunday services, in roles such as lectors, acolytes, or greeters. There may also be ways to engage youth during coffee hour or through the art show or other recurring church activities.
Children's Greeting -- We are continuing the Children's Greeting with Rev. Amanda each week as part of the service.
- A "Kids' Corner" is available in the back of the sanctuary as well as Activity bags to pick up in the Narthex.
- Daycare is provided every Sunday for children 0 to 3 years old during the school year.
Family Fellowship Events Fall 2024 to Spring 2025
Here are some of the events planned for kids and adults of all ages:
--October 6th: Disc Golf and lunch at Pineland Farms, OR Volunteer at Maine Marathon Water Stop
--November 16th: Contradance at church
--December 8th: Christmas Sing Along and Food Drive
--February: Game Day, moved to March 23rd
--March 4th: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
--May 3rd: Annual Day of Service
--June 7th: Sea Dogs baseball game
Here are some of the events planned for kids and adults of all ages:
--October 6th: Disc Golf and lunch at Pineland Farms, OR Volunteer at Maine Marathon Water Stop
--November 16th: Contradance at church
--December 8th: Christmas Sing Along and Food Drive
--February: Game Day, moved to March 23rd
--March 4th: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
--May 3rd: Annual Day of Service
--June 7th: Sea Dogs baseball game
Exciting opportunity for our Middle and High Schoolers: Service Corp is Calling Youth to make a Difference!
St. Bart’s has been invited to join a youth program called Service Corp which was established by Rev. Peter Swarr of Trinity Church in Portland. Service Corp has an exciting history of engaging youth of middle school (fifth grade and up) and high school age with opportunities to serve others in need. Many of our local Episcopal churches participate. Last year Service Corp provided thousands of dollars’ worth of healthy food, meals and clothing to families in need among other contributions. Service Corp meets once per month to make a difference in the greater Portland area on various projects. If youth or their parents have questions, feel free to reach out to the Youth Education Committee Members.
We will keep you updated on upcoming events. We are always happy to hear any feedback you would like to share with the Committee. We want to ensure we continue to support our youth of all ages and provide them with meaningful programs that will help them grow in their spiritual formation. Please reach out to anyone on the Education Committee with further questions: Dennis Fitzgibbons (Chair), Mary Curlew, Maria Guarino, Elizabeth Gillan , Julie Bliven
As always, all children are welcome to attend all or part of any service with their families. We have "Activity bags" in the entry way of church--the Narthex--for them to engage with during the service.
We will continue to work hard to enrich your children’s spiritual formation journey, making it fun and engaging along the way.
Yours faithfully,
The Education Committee
Dennis Fitzgibbons, Chair
Pal Covie (vestry liaison) Mary Curlew, Maria Guarino, Elizabeth Gillan , Julie Bliven
St. Bart’s has been invited to join a youth program called Service Corp which was established by Rev. Peter Swarr of Trinity Church in Portland. Service Corp has an exciting history of engaging youth of middle school (fifth grade and up) and high school age with opportunities to serve others in need. Many of our local Episcopal churches participate. Last year Service Corp provided thousands of dollars’ worth of healthy food, meals and clothing to families in need among other contributions. Service Corp meets once per month to make a difference in the greater Portland area on various projects. If youth or their parents have questions, feel free to reach out to the Youth Education Committee Members.
We will keep you updated on upcoming events. We are always happy to hear any feedback you would like to share with the Committee. We want to ensure we continue to support our youth of all ages and provide them with meaningful programs that will help them grow in their spiritual formation. Please reach out to anyone on the Education Committee with further questions: Dennis Fitzgibbons (Chair), Mary Curlew, Maria Guarino, Elizabeth Gillan , Julie Bliven
As always, all children are welcome to attend all or part of any service with their families. We have "Activity bags" in the entry way of church--the Narthex--for them to engage with during the service.
We will continue to work hard to enrich your children’s spiritual formation journey, making it fun and engaging along the way.
Yours faithfully,
The Education Committee
Dennis Fitzgibbons, Chair
Pal Covie (vestry liaison) Mary Curlew, Maria Guarino, Elizabeth Gillan , Julie Bliven
2023 and 2024 Youth Events
Here are some of the events we've held in the recent past for our youth and families:
Rev. Amanda sat with our children for a special children's homily at our Christmas Eve Family Service, 2022 and our Easter Sunday 2023 service. Our first Family and Youth Event for 2023 was a Sledding Party. The snow arrived just in time!
Here are some of the events we've held in the recent past for our youth and families:
- January: Sledding party at Valhalla Country Club in Cumberland.
- February: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Palooza with fun and games.
- March: Design the t-shirt logo for the May Day of Service.
- April: Easter service and Easter Egg Hunt after church.
- May: Day of Service: Volunteer opportunities at 4 non-profit organizations.
- June: Episcopal Maine Youth to Walk in Portland Pride Parade.
- June: Sea Dogs Game. Tickets in a reserved section for St Bart's.
- September: Apple picking and pie making
Rev. Amanda sat with our children for a special children's homily at our Christmas Eve Family Service, 2022 and our Easter Sunday 2023 service. Our first Family and Youth Event for 2023 was a Sledding Party. The snow arrived just in time!
Additional Youth Resources
Check out our YouTube channel to view past homilies.
Listen to our very own Spotify playlist that includes all of our homily morning songs and others! Let your whole family listen while you’re cooking a meal, cleaning, or playing. This is a collaborative playlist, so feel free to add songs that are special to you and your family’s spiritual lives!
We would also love to stay connected with you through social media! Follow our Instagram account: stbartsyouth_yarmouth and see what’s inspiring us and keeping us grounded and spiritually connected.
Maine Episcopal Diocese
Click here for news from the Diocese about youth faith formation.
Check out our YouTube channel to view past homilies.
Listen to our very own Spotify playlist that includes all of our homily morning songs and others! Let your whole family listen while you’re cooking a meal, cleaning, or playing. This is a collaborative playlist, so feel free to add songs that are special to you and your family’s spiritual lives!
We would also love to stay connected with you through social media! Follow our Instagram account: stbartsyouth_yarmouth and see what’s inspiring us and keeping us grounded and spiritually connected.
Maine Episcopal Diocese
Click here for news from the Diocese about youth faith formation.
Summer Camp
The Episcopal Diocese of Maine operates a wonderful Summer Camp open to youngsters of all faiths, located on Lake Megunticook, in Hope, Maine. Click here to find out more about Camp Bishopswood.
Let God’s love for us warm our hearts and shine brightly for all those around us.
The Episcopal Diocese of Maine operates a wonderful Summer Camp open to youngsters of all faiths, located on Lake Megunticook, in Hope, Maine. Click here to find out more about Camp Bishopswood.
Let God’s love for us warm our hearts and shine brightly for all those around us.
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396 Gilman Road, Yarmouth, Maine, 04096
Church Office Phone: (207) 846-9244 Office email: [email protected] St Bart’s is a parish of the Diocese of Maine, of the Episcopal Church, a province of the Anglican Communion. |
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