Children & Youth

Acolytes: Children ages 8—18 carry the torches in the procession. This helps introduce youth to the participation and service in congregational worship. Current Acolytes are: Liz Bianchini, and Isaiah Villarreal. If you know someone interested in serving, please call the Parish Office: 574-267-6266.

Crucifers: The Crucifers carry the processional cross in the procession into the church, for the gospel acclamation and recession at the end of the service. They also assist the Celebrant by handing them vessels for communion. Current Crucifers:  Chuck Brindle,  Crystal Morsches, Marston Norris, Mark Norris, Will Petro,  Butch Schapson and Bruce Shaffner. This is a ministry for adults and teens. There are requirements for teens to be able to serve as Crucifers. Please call the Parish Office for more information. 574-267-6266.

Lectors: Proclaim God’s Word during the worship services by reading the Old and New Testament lessons. Youth must be in High School to serve as Lectors and must attend Lector Training. Call the Church Office for more information. 574-267-6266.

Our nursery is open!  All volunteers have had the Safe Church Training, a background check and COVID-19 immunizations updated.

The Nursery is located to the left as you enter the church’s main doors, just past the coat rack in the foyer area. The Nursery is staffed with two adults at all times, for the safety of our youngest family members. Children of pre-school age and younger are welcome to use the Nursery during services.

There is also a diaper changing station located in the Nursery, for parents of children still in diapers.

Children who are Kindergarten age and older are welcome to attend the liturgy with their families. We believe that all should hear the Good News. Knowing that it can be difficult for younger folks to stay quiet and engaged during an hour long service, we have provided Activity Bags for all young children to use. These bags are located in the wooden box in the foyer. Please take one with you into the church, and then return it after the service is over. 

We also now have Christian Formation or Sunday School for elementary aged children during the first part of our church service.

Interested in being a NURSERY VOLUNTEER?  Please call the parish office or send an email to office@stanneswarsaw.org. We welcome Nursery Volunteers, in fact, the more the merrier! Volunteers must be trained in Safe Church Training, which is provided by St. Anne’s free of charge and takes approximately two hours and have a background check completed.

Safe Church Training Nursery Procedures

The Church is called:

● to receive, nurture and treasure each child as a gift from God,

● to proclaim the Gospel to children, in ways that empower them to receive and respond to God’s love,…. (from Children’s Charter for the Church)

The following procedures, from Safe Church Training more clearly define behaviors and practices that allow St. Anne’s adults to more fully demonstrate their love and compassion for children and youth in sincere and genuine relationships. They are adopted to help St. Anne’s create a safe place for children and for those who minister to them.

Nursery Supervision Procedures

Personnel : Only screened personnel and volunteers may work in the Nursery, and there must be two unrelated adults present. At least one person must be trained in Safe Church Training. No one under the age of 15 may work in the nursery without adult supervision. Unscreened friends or family members may occasionally visit the nursery, but do not count toward the required number of adults and may not exercise authority. All volunteers who are in the nursery more than 3 times per year must be trained in Safe Church Training.

Coaching and Feedback : The Christian Formation Committee ministers the Nursery Program at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. Members of the Christian Formation Committee will conduct coaching visits to the nursery. The purpose of the visits will be to observe that the procedures for Safe Church Training are followed and to insure consistently safe behavior and interactions with children.

Ratio in the nursery: There must be two adults present in the nursery at all times and the acceptable ratio is one adult to five children, for children ages 1-5. If infants less than one year are present, the ratio should be one adult to three infants.

Physical Environment : Paper, foil, or decorations may NOT be placed over the door window. The nursery room door must remain open anytime there is temporarily only one adult with the children and never for more than 3 minutes.

Bathroom Procedure : Children age 4 and over may use the bathroom in the nursery with an adult standing at the door to provide verbal assistance. When it is necessary to assist a small child with bathrooming, the adult will assist the child in full view of the other adult. Diaper changing will be done at the changing area table and within view of the other adult in the room.

Releasing Children from the nursery : Children will be released from the nursery only to their parents, legal guardians, or those designated by them.

Reporting Concerns: Concerns about the nursery program or regarding a child attending the nursery program should be reported to the Clergy or the Senior Warden.

Grades K-6 meet in Atrium III on the second floor at the beginning of the church service and return to the church service at the Passing of the Peace, prior to communion. This class is led by Marla Norris.  They are using Sparkhouse curriculum.

As is our custom here at St. Anne’s, we take a break from Sunday School  Programs during the summer months and will return to our usual schedule in September.  Have a great summer!!!

Grades 7-12 meet in Rose Hall at the table by the piano after communion until about 12:15. This class, led by Chuck Brindle, uses the “Living Discipleship – Practicing Our Faith curriculum”.  Teens will explore how what we hear on Sundays applies to the daily life of a teenager and have fun at the same time! We are currently we are seeking someone to assist Chuck.  Training will be provided. If you are interested, please contact the office at office@stanneswarsaw.org.  

Christian Formation Classes begin in September and go through May.

Safe Church Training – Atrium III

The Church is called:

To receive, nurture, and treasure each child as a gift from God.

To proclaim the Gospel to children in ways that empower them to receive and respond to God’s love.

To follow the recommendations of the Safe Church Training Program provided by Praesidium Religious Services.

The following procedures more clearly define behaviors and practices that allow the church to more fully demonstrate its love and compassion for children in sincere and genuine relationships. These procedures are adopted to help St. Anne’s create safe environments for children and for those who minister to them.

Atrium III Supervision Procedures

Personnel: Only screened personnel and volunteers may work in Atrium III and must work in pairs. At least one person must be trained in Safe Church Training. No one under the age of 15 may work in Atrium III without adult supervision. Unscreened friends or family members on occasion may visit the classroom, but do not count toward the required number of volunteers and may not exercise authority. Volunteers in Atrium III must be unrelated to one another. All volunteers who are in Atrium III more than three times per year must be trained in Safe Church Training.

Coaching and Feedback: The Christian Formation Committee ministers the Christian Formation Program at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. Members of the Christian Formation Committee will conduct coaching visits to Atrium III. The purpose of the visits will be to observe that the procedures for Safe Church Training are followed and answer questions to insure consistently-safe behavior and interactions with children.

Ratio in Atrium III: There must be two adult volunteers in Atrium III at all times. If two or more children are present, but only one adult volunteer, that volunteer may hold class only if class is moved to a location within sight of another adult (e.g., with another class or in Rose Hall during coffee hour). A ratio of two unrelated screened and trained adult volunteers to one child is also appropriate for holding class. Under no circumstances may one adult hold a class if only one child is present.

Physical Environment: Paper, foil, or decorations may NOT be placed over the windows or door window. On occasion, classes may be held in other areas of the church e.g., the sanctuary, chapel, kitchen, or parlor. Appropriate child to teacher ratios must be met.

Reporting Concerns: Concerns about the Atrium II Program, and any concerns about a youth, child, or infant, should be reported to the Rector and Senior Warden.

Teen News/ Diocesan Youth

The SUMMER YOUTH (grades 7-12) RETREAT 2023 was a great success. We had 17 Jr. & Sr. High Youth along with five adults come together for a Work Retreat at the Wawasee Episcopal Center in Syracuse, IN.  Recognizing we are stewards of our facilities, we noticed that some TLC was needed at the Retreat Center and at All Saints Church that sits right next door to the Wawasee Center. We washed windows, vacuumed, carried trash from the basement to the dumpster, power washed the deck, dusted, cleaned the bathrooms and washed door knobs.

At All Saints Church, we cleaned and organized the entire church.  Replaced light bulbs, removed old boxes from the basement that had moisture damage, cleaned out cabinets, closets, dusted, washed and mopped all surfaces at the church. 

We began our retreat with a spiritual reflection and continued those reflections at our meal times.  As always, we enjoy time together in fellowship. 

DATES for FALL YOUTH (grades 7-12) RETREAT- September 29 – October 1, 2023 Registration is live on the diocese website ednin.org under Ministries and Programs, scroll down to Senior High Ministries.

EPISCOPAL YOUTH EVENT EYE July 4-8, 2023.  Teens from all over the country gathered together for a week of worship, large group presentations, small group discussions and fellowship at The University of Maryland in the Diocese of Washington. The Diocese of Northern Indiana had six youth along with Daniel Kallenberg and Carol Bianchini travel in a 15 passenger van to Baltimore, MD for EYE. Bishop Doug was able to join us for the week as well.

Senior High Mission Week

Is hosted by the Diocese of Northern Indiana. St. Anne’s Sr. High youth have had the opportunity to participate in a week of mission during the summers since 2015. They have served at various locations in Northern Indiana. 

In June of 2019 the Mission Team traveled to Killington, VT to Mission Farm and Church of Our Saviour. This was our first trip outside of Northern Indiana and a highlight for those who participated. 

Then there was COVID-19.

In 2021, Sr. High Mission Week served at Camp Alexander Mack in Milford IN.  The theme was “Mission at Mack”, because we believe, we can make a difference with the help of Jesus Christ. 

Mission Week 2022 was held July 17 – 23 again at Camp Mack.  Our theme was “The Daily Project”.  Above are pictures of the main project that we worked on daily.  We did a total renovation on the Shultz Chapel!

We are taking a summer off of Mission Week will resume in 2024!   As 2023 is a year for the Episcopal Youth Event. However, we will have a summer working retreat at the Wawasee Episcopal Center in Syracuse in August.  More information to come…

Diocesan Youth Camp is for children entering 3 – 9 grade are eligible to attend Episcopal Youth Camp held at Camp Alexander Mack in Milford, IN each year. This is open to all children of the diocese. Scholarships are available. Children and adults alike consistently report that this is a remarkable event building memories and connections for years to come.  Save the date for 2024, June 16-22 at Camp Alexander Mack.