Kids of the Redeemer
Our Lord Jesus, God and Creator of the whole world, came to us as a tiny baby, fully dependent on his earthly parents for care and sustenance. Throughout his time on earth Jesus drew children into the midst of his ministry and into his very presence while he, himself, drew near to his heavenly Father with complete trust and dependence. Our invitation, through his example and command, is to be like children as we depend on our good Father. We are to embrace children as active participants in the church, placing children in the midst of our fellowship and understanding through their example the trust and openness needed in our approach to Jesus. We are strengthened and built up by the presence of children among us, and in turn are called, as parents and adults in the faith community, to protect, nurture, and instruct our children that the next generation might know (Ps 78) and tell of the great love and salvation of the Lord.
…we have sat at your feet, learned from your word, and eaten from your table.
‘The Sending’ from the Kenyan Rite
Every Sunday our church family comes together in Word and Sacrament. Adults gather for worship, scripture, and a sermon, and children gather for their own time of worship, Bible engagement, and learning. At the Peace, children return to the service for Holy Communion and gather as one with the rest of the church at the table of the Good Shepherd, where we all are sustained with the same spiritual food of Christ’s body and blood.
At each age and stage we pray that children…
KNOW
the love
of the Father
GROW
in their love
for Jesus
SHOW
the love of Jesus in the
power of the Spirit
Sunday Rhythms
KidConnect is our Sunday afternoon opportunity for children, up to 5th grade, to gather for their own time of worship and learning.
4:15pm – GATHER
The nursery is open and staffed for young children.
Preschool through 5th grade children begin in the Godly Play Room (Room 108) with worship and activities.
4:30pm – LEARN
Following our large-group gathering time, children move to age-based groups for a time of Bible engagement and faith formation.
The Peace – RETURN
Kids return to the sanctuary at The Peace to join their families in time for Communion. Kids in the Nursery or PreK/K classes will be picked up by parents. Older kids will be brought to the sanctuary.
Growing in Community
KidConnect Age Groups
Nursery
Our nursery space is open and available for parents of children up to three–years-old to use for nursing, diapering, or childcare. It is staffed by a regular childcare worker and other church volunteers. Meets in Room 115.
PreK/Kindergarten
Children in preschool and kindergarten will go on a joyful journey to discover God’s love. They use Play, God’s Big Story for three to five year olds, based on 36 stories from Genesis to Acts. Meets in Room 105.
1st-3rd Grades
The storytelling-based Godly Play helps us engage with Scripture through our senses and imaginations, in wonder and exploration. This year we’ll hear stories of individuals from the Old and New Testaments and will explore elements of our Anglican liturgy while growing together as a community of young disciples. Meets in Room 108.
4th & 5th Grades
This year’s focus is the Old Testament, using Echo the Story, which presents the big picture of God’s story. Lessons help children listen imaginatively and live into the biblical narrative, tracing patterns and pictures that point to deep truths about who God is and where we are within his story. We will cultivate prayer practices, hear testimonies from members of our congregation, and turn to seasonal themes during Advent and Lent. Meets in Room 104.
PRAYER AND CONNECTION
Outside of Sunday KidConnect, children have other opportunities to gather in fellowship and community. Read about these below.
Kids Listening Prayer
Saturdays, 9:30-10:30 am
The men and women of our church gather monthly for listening prayer, and our kids are praying too! On five Saturday mornings throughout the church seasons, we offer Listening Prayer for kids in 1st-5th grades. Kids are invited to participate in this hour of prayer using their hands, eyes, ears, and imaginations to catch the voice of a God who is speaking and drawing near to them.
November 18 – Prayers of thanksgiving
December 9 – Praying in expectation
January 13 – Seeing more clearly
March 2 – Telling God you’re sorry
May 11 – Uplifted by prayer
Children’s Leadership Team
CLT Chair & 1st – 3rd Grade
Sonia Keillor
Sonia was born and grew up in Minneapolis and in the liturgical tradition of her neighborhood Lutheran church (ELCA). She received elementary education and bible degrees from Northwestern College (UNW-SP). Along with her husband, Will, she joined the Anglican community in 2005 at Church of the Cross and came to Church of the Redeemer in 2010 as it was getting started. She and Will have four children–one in college, three at home–and live in Brooklyn Park. She enjoys inviting children on a pilgrim journey and showing them how to get ready, in body and mind, so that they have ears to hear and eyes to see God’s presence in their lives.
4th & 5th Grade
Sara Bramsen
Sara grew up as a missionary kid in Argentina, before coming back to the US to pursue degrees in French and literature at Oklahoma Baptist University (BA), Kentucky (MA) and Notre Dame (PhD). Sara and her husband, Andy, were married in 2005 and she is continuing her teaching career by homeschooling their four children. Sara visited Church of the Redeemer two days after moving to Minnesota in 2013 and has been here ever since. She has volunteered in children’s ministry since 2014 and is deeply honored to be learning alongside the 4th-5th grade class with “no greater joy than to hear that [our] children walk in truth” (3 John 4).
1st – 3rd Grade
Rachel Knight
Rachel grew up in the Rocky mountains of Montana and New Mexico, and spent her childhood summers combing the Atlantic shoreline of New England. A descendant of storytellers, Rachel is most at home in the midst of story, hers or others, real or imagined. Rachel came to Minnesota as a student at the University of Northwestern in St Paul, earning degrees in Communications-Theater and Bible as well as a minor in English Literature. She seeks to inspire the imagination and quicken the curiosity of children whether as a mother, a children’s leader, a Montessori teacher or a director. Her desire is that they would know and recognize the loving voice of the Shepherd, and discover how their stories weave to God’s great story. Rachel and her husband, Nate live with their three children in Arden Hills.
Nursery ChildCare
Claire Carlson
Claire is a current student at The University of Northwestern in St. Paul studying Music, Biblical Studies, English, and Special Education. She enjoys reading, playing her flute, spending time with friends and family, going on walks, and caring for children.