Children & Families

Christian Community

Parents are their children’s first and best teachers. We see ourselves as partners with parents in helping children learn about the love of Jesus and coming to know God. Our greatest hope for your children, though, is not just that they will know about God, but that they become engaged and participating members of this Christian community and are followers of Jesus.

Although we do have an exceptional Church School, St. James’ family programming is much more. We offer an experience of the love of God to the whole family in a variety of contexts: a vibrant 9:10 a.m. Family Eucharist on Sundays, through worship and education at Thursdays for Families @ St. James’, children’s and youth choirs for all ages, age-appropriate play groups, and family and inter-generational fellowship occasions.

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

– Proverbs 22:6

Video Series

Looking for easy to explain answers to some of the harder to explain questions? Look no further! The St. James’ YouTube Channel is exploring some of these topics in it’s new Did You Know series.

Watch the Series Visit the YouTube Channel

Sunday School

Sunday School begins immediately following the 9:10 a.m. Worship Service. We offer education for all ages:

Time

Age Group

9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

Nursery

9:05 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.

Toddler Class and Primary Class

10:15 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.

Sunday School for Grades 1-5

10:15 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.

Middle School Youth Group for Grades 6-7

10:15 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.

Confirmation Class for Grade 8

10:15 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.

High School Youth Group for Grades 9-12

Playgroups

Our playgroups are a wonderful way to meet parents of young children (ages 0-5), caregivers and children within the St. James’ community. St. James’ playgroups are adult/child and are open to all who are interested.

Continuing Family Service Opportunities

Reaching out to our Neighbors: At the start of each Family Friday we make sandwiches for the NY Common Pantry, make cards for home-bound parishioners and assemble toiletry kits.
Donate travel-sized toiletries: We need donations and help assembling toiletry kits for Samaritan’s Closet, a free clothing resource that we have launched in partnership with Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Neighborhood Coalition Shelter: Sign up to help prepare dinner once a month for the resident s of the Neighborhood Coalition Shelter.
Bake for the Shelter: Bake cookies, cupcakes, brownies, etc. and for St. James’ Community Kitchen. Contact Vicki Hall to get involved.
Search and Care: Looking for an ongoing opportunity to share with your child? An hour a week or every other week will help keep a senior in their home through Search and Care. There are many clients who would love regular visits. A walk around the block, help getting groceries or medications, help with caring for their pet, the possibilities are limitless. If interested, contact Robin Strashun (212-289-5300 x 203) the Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator to schedule a 45 minute appointment.

Children's Ministries Staff

Meet the people with St. James’ who make our children’s ministry work!

Director of Children's and Family Ministries

Vicki Hall

Vicki has been shepherding children and families into the St. James’ community since 1997. A Band Director in her previous life, Vicki received her MA in Christian Education from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education (now Union Presbyterian Seminary) in Virginia. At St. James’, she oversees all of our family and children’s programming – helping little ones become engaged in worship, understand what it means to be Christian, and love their neighbors. Our kids are integral to all aspects of our life in the church, from music to mission and everywhere in between. When she isn’t at St. James’, Vicki loves her morning exercise time and her great big family.

Associate for Music, Children's Choirs

Loraine Enlow

Loraine Enlow joined St. James’ staff in January 2015. As Music Associate, she is responsible for the Children’s and Youth Choirs, assists with the adult choirs, and helps manage the many details that go into our vibrant music program at St. James’. Mrs. Enlow completed her undergraduate work at The New England Conservatory of Music, did graduate work at The University of Chicago in ethnomusicology, and post-graduate study in music education at both the Catholic University of America and the Hartt School of Music. She regularly serves as guest conductor and clinician for choral festivals across North America. She is also working part-time on a doctorate in Biblical Interpretation at the Jewish Theological Seminary.