Children & Youth
We are proud of our decades of strong children and youth programming and invite you and your family to join in the fun!
Inspiring the Next Generation of Episcopalians
Did you know that St. Mary's was started over 100 years ago as a Sunday school right here in Cow Hollow? It's true. Our roots run deep. We're very pleased to be keeping our history and traditions alive and thriving by offering a range of programs to teach, enrich, and inspire our children, the lifeblood of our church.
In particular, during the program year (September through mid-June), we offer Sunday School for grades K-6, Youth Group for grades 6-12, and Confirmation Class for 7th graders and above. We also have a Children’s Choir, a Youth Choir, Youth Acolytes, and college scholarships available for young women who have been part of the life of St. Mary’s.
More information about each of these specific options:
- Nursery Care: For children 5 and under. Available during the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. services in the Nursery (up the stairs and to the right!)
- Sunday School (grades K-5th): Children go to the 9:00 a.m. church service with their family and process out with the Children & Youth Choirs. Weekly information is available in the bulletin or in the Highlights e-mail, but class usually consists of a half hour (or so) of Sunday school activities. The children are then escorted back to the courtyard to rejoin their parents at the end of Sunday school.
- Confirmation Class: Students attend the 9:00 a.m. service with their families and then process out with the Children & Youth Choirs to go upstairs in Pixley House to the library for their confirmation class with Phil Woodworth.
- Youth Group: Usually meets on Sunday evenings from 5:30-7:30 pm, providing a fun, safe, and loving environment for 6th-12th graders as they explore their relationship with each other, Christ, and the world. More information can be found at our Youth Group page.
Bulletin for Sunday, 10.13.24, 9:00 a.m. service
Children and Youth Chorister Program
Singing in a choir boosts confidence, reduces stress and creates a strong sense of community and social inclusion for children – the very things that so many families in San Francisco today yearn for. At St. Mary's, our robust chorister program not only provides a groundwork of musical technique and theory, but also teaches leadership, commitment, focus and teamwork. Finally, it provides a forum for social involvement and ministry to one another in our Parish community, building a foundation for life-long friendships.
We are an affiliate of the Royal School of Church Music program, which offers a first-rate formational curriculum with singing at its foundation. We teach vocal technique in the context of group singing; we teach children to break down social barriers and build community; we teach manners, conduct, and self-awareness with respect to the group surrounding; we teach discipline, focus, and critical thinking; and we teach singing for the pure enjoyment of music. We also offer the foundation for a life-long relationship with faith.
Our Children’s and Youth Choirs sing weekly for the 9:00 a.m. service throughout the school year. As part of that, they also participate in many special events, including the Our Lady of Guadalupe and Sankta Lucia processions during Advent, the Procession of the Magi for Epiphany, a Festival of Lessons and Carols with St. Mary's Chamber Orchestra, special events on Christmas Eve and Easter, and the much-loved Children’s and Youth Choir Musical in the spring.
The Children’s Choir is open to children in grades K-3; the Youth Choir is open to grades 4-12. Choristers rehearse weekly on Wednesdays from 3:45-5:15 p.m. or Thursdays from 4:15-5:30 pm (choose your own rehearsal day—or come twice!) Children can arrive early for a snack and play time.
For more information, please contact:
- Children's Choir: Marla Perkins ( [email protected])
- Youth Choir: Eric Choate ( [email protected])