Children’s Programs

Spiritual development begins at birth. Grace Church is committed to supporting children in their spiritual development by providing a safe and caring parish, liturgies that stimulate and draw us nearer to God, special educational programs designed especially for children, and by working with parents to give them tools to help them bring their children up in the knowledge and love of God.

We have three unique programs we offer to children in Salem and the surrounding communities. You do not need to be a member of any church to have your child participate, in fact there are no requirements at all except a willingness to be part of your child's religious life.

Children's Chapel

Each Sunday during the 10:30 service, young children through grade 1 go with a parent or grandparent to the children's chapel. During this 20 minute service, there is singing, a Bible Story is acted out, the Lord's prayer and other prayers are offered. Then all rejoin the congregation at the Peace for Communion.

Religious Education Class

Each Wednesday afternoon, all students in grades 2 through 6 attend religious education classes from 3:15 pm to 4:00 pm. This class is taught by the Rector, the Rev. Debbie Phillips, who has over 30 years of teaching experience in the Church and in both public and private schools. Topics cover include Scripture, church history, geography, the biographies of people in the Church, modern day issues and theology. To help students better understand the liturgy, they attend the entire service each Sunday and are encouraged to participate as readers, singers, acolytes and ushers, and may join the Choir School at Grace Church.

The Choir School at Grace Church         

On Wednesdays following the Religious Education Class, The Choir School at Grace Church has its rehearsal. This starts at 4:00 pm with a snack and the rehearsal follows at 4:15 pm. The classes are led by Mark Engelhardt who has over 35 years of directing children's choirs. The Rector also participates in the program. The students not only learn how to become skilled choristers, but they learn about the liturgy, especially traditional Choral Evensong. The first Wednesday of each month, the Choir School sings Evensong at 5:00 pm. This program is offered for students in grade 2 and older.

For more information, contact the Parish Office at gcis1@verizon.net