By the Reverend Margie Baker, assistant rector — St. John’s has been a gift to my family, and I am so grateful to be a part of this dynamic and faithful community. I continue to be impressed by the opportunities for children, youth, and families here. From youth choir and acolytes to Sunday School and youth group, and everything in between, we are a church that values our youngest members and invites them to learn and serve in meaningful ways.

God is up to something here at St. John’s, and our children and youth know it. They see it. And they want to be a part of it. Our youngest members take seriously the call to love God and love neighbor. They show us what it looks like to be excited about worship, excited to hear and share the stories of God and God’s people, and excited to figure out what faith looks like in action in the wider community and the world.

St. John’s offers four levels of Sunday School each week, each one tailored to the needs of different ages. Our teachers’ first goal is to make sure that every child knows that they are loved by God and by the members of this community. That is the foundation for any lesson about Scripture, or the sacraments, or the people of God. Every child needs to know that they are known and loved and valued for who they are right now.

In addition to Sunday School, youth in grades 6-12 are invited to participate in Episcopal Youth Community, or EYC. EYC is all about fellowship and service. We eat and play together. We learn about systems of racism and prejudice and how we as followers of Jesus are called to combat them. We participate in service projects big and small, for people in our own neighborhood and communities farther afield.

St. John’s does a stellar job of including children and youth in worship as acolytes, youth choristers, lay readers, and even ushers. Our younger members serve with grace and dignity, and I am grateful for their ministry.

Somehow, we have come through the pandemic stronger than we began. We have found ways to gather safely and to span generations. On the fourth Sunday of the month, we make sandwiches for Loaves and Fishes— 200 at a time— a diverse group of ages and stages united around a common goal of feeding the hungry in our community. And last month, for the first time, St. John’s went to a Yard Goats game to cheer for the home team and hear our youth choir sing “God Bless America.” It was a hit, and we will go back next year.

God is up to something at St. John’s, and I am honored to be a part of it. As a parent and as a priest, I can think of no better place for children, youth, and families to grow in God’s love.