Your family is invited to be part of Messy Church and Sunday School!
St. James is a wonderful place for children, teens, and parents to grow in faith. The programs for children and youth are led by compassionate and nurturing adults. Children and teens participate in community service projects, musical groups, Bible studies, and intergenerational activities like Messy Church, and learn to be helpers and God’s storytellers.
Our programs include Godly Play (a Montessori-based Sunday School program), a Teen Bible Study, Children’s Choir, Christmas Pageant, Confirmation Class, and Messy Church. Sunday School typically meets on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM during the school year, except for the day immediately following Messy Church. For the latest Sunday School schedule, please call the church office at (845) 331-3030 or e-mail our Associate Pastor for Children and Family Ministries, Rebecca Leibowitz, at kids.saintjames@gmail.com. We’d be happy to fill you in on the latest schedule and plans!
Godly Play
Spending time together in Godly Play class is peaceful, restorative, creative, and fun! Ages four through grade 5 gather three Sunday mornings per month for storytelling, wondering, a creative response time (art and play), and the feast (snack time and fellowship). We learn so much by being together, working with Bible stories, praying, singing, and enjoying a special snack together. Here are some photos of our Godly Play room and the activities that happen there.
Messy Church
Messy Church is one of the most joyful, lively events at Saint James! We meet on the first Saturday of the month at 4:00 PM for an hour of crafts and community service projects, a parade with instruments, Godly Play storytelling and singing, and a free dinner. It’s fun for all ages! Come as you are and bring friends. Please call the office or check our Messy Church Facebook Page to confirm the schedule — we usually take off one month in the summer and one month in the winter.
It’s so important to us that everyone be able to participate in Messy Church. If you need a special meal for medical reasons, are vegan, or need disability-related accommodations, please let us know ahead of time. We usually have gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian options available for dinner, but it helps if we know how many special meals will be needed. We are eager to help you plan for an experience that will work for your family. Feel free to reach out to us ahead of time to ask about the Messy Church routine and any accommodations you might need for your kids if they have special needs. The best ways to reach us are to call the church office at (845) 331-3030, message us through our Messy Church Facebook Page, or to e-mail Pastor Rebecca at kids.saintjames@gmail.com.
Here are some photos of the fun at Messy Church!
Youth Group
Our teen Sunday School class is growing and we will be scheduling youth group activities for our junior high and high school students. Weather permitting, we hope to have some outdoor hikes and get-togethers. If your teen is interested (or if you’re an adult who’d like to help) please reach out to Rebecca Leibowitz.
When: Dates TBD
Safe Sanctuary St. James United Methodist Church is among many churches that now have a Safe Sanctuary policy and procedure. Keeping children, youth, and vulnerable adults safe is essential. All organizations using the church building must be familiar with and agree to abide by our safe sanctuary policies. [Read more]