Children's & Youth Ministries
At St. Andrew’s, we believe children are fully-formed spiritual beings and as such, seek to integrate them into the full life of the church. At age-appropriate levels, children are invited to lead in worship, serve in outreach, contribute their artistic gifts, and interact intergenerationally as equals with adults in the eyes of God. Our nursery, children’s chapel, and middle school ministry are a mix of didactic teaching as well as relational deepening, with one another in a church family and with God.
Kickoff Sunday!
August 30 at 10:30 AM service
St. Andrew's Children & Youth Ministries are kicking off the new program year on August 30th. Children's chapel begins on the Ferguson Ave playground at 10:15, worship is at 10:30, and our Middle School Ministry meets after worship. Click here to sign up for the new program year or to reach out for more information.
Children's Chapel
Children aged 4 through 5th grade are invited to join us every Sunday during the school year during the 10:30 worship service. Meet the teachers on the Ferguson Ave. playground at 10:15. After some recreation time, the children go inside and are grouped by their age for a lesson based on that Sunday's Scripture. Children return to parents in worship in time for Communion. All our Children's Chapel volunteers have had Safe Church Training and are background checked.
Children’s Chapel during the summer
Children’s chapel will be on break after June 7 for four weeks. During that break, the nursery will be welcoming children up through age 5, and as always, children of all ages are welcome in church. As counterintuitive as it may seem, children tend to behave better the closer they are to the front because they can actually see what’s going on! Children’s chapel “lite” will begin on Sunday, July 12 and last until the new program year begins. Children will be led out for the middle part of the service for a very short lesson.
Middle School Ministry
Youth in grades 5 through 8 will have their own formation time once a month after church, lunch included. Our middle schoolers have a room just for them, stocked with games and snacks, where they meet for class but especially to just to hang out. Our calendar of events also includes parties, service projects, and opportunities to meet with other Episcopal youth from our region at Camp Chanco.
Middle School Service Project
August 9, 11:45 AM
On Sunday, Aug. 9, middle schoolers will stay after worship to box up the school supplies to send to Sedgefield Elementary School. This will be a quickie service project, completed during coffee hour.
Youth Ministry Kickoff Party
August 30, 12 PM
On Sunday, Aug 30, after worship, middle schoolers (grades 5-8) are invited to walk to the home of Dan and Karen Waddill for recreation, icebreakers, and lunch. Party will be from 12:00 to 2:30 PM. Please plan to stay for 20 minutes when you pick up your child for a brief parent orientation. Bring a friend! Invite your neighbors!
Acolytes
Children and youth in 2nd grade and above are invited to serve as acolytes. Acolytes participate in worship, performing a variety of duties during the service such as lighting candles, carrying processional crosses and banners, etc. Contact the church office if your child would like to join this ministry.
Special Worship Services for Families with Children
On Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday, worship services especially designed for families with young children are offered.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is four days of fun and learning about God’s love!
2026 Vacation Bible School registration is OPEN!
Registration is now open for this year's VBS, July 13-16, 5:00 to 8:00 PM each evening. Children ages preschool through 5th grade are invited to join the fun! Dinner is included each night.
Nursery
The nursery is open Sunday mornings 9 am to noon for children newborn to age 3. It is staffed by paid professionals who have completed Safe Church training and a background check.
Ginny Chilton, Supervisor of Children's & Youth Ministries
Ginny Chilton joined St. Andrew’s in Newport News as the Supervisor of Children and Youth Ministries in July 2024, expanding her role from Minister of Music.
Ginny's approach to Children and Youth Ministries is shaped by her positive church experiences growing up, her studies at seminary, and the joy she takes in parenting her own children. Ginny holds a Master of Divinity from Boston University, which has equipped her with deep theological understanding and practical skills for ministering to young people and their families.
In her role, Ginny oversees Children's Chapel (for ages 4-12) and youth ministry (grades 6-12), recruits and trains volunteer teachers, and fleshes out the church calendar with activities and accessibility for children and their caretakers in mind.
