Formation / Education for
Children & Youth
Children's Chapel
Sunday Night Live!
Youth Group & Mission Trip
Children’s Chapel
Children’s Chapel is for children 11 and under. On most Sundays from September to May, we offer our children a developmentally appropriate alternative to the sermon. This takes place during the time allotted for the sermon, prayers of the people and confession portions of the 10:00 am service. This takes them out of the church where they can move around a bit, sing, dance and hear the Word in a child-friendly way. Hopefully this helps them to focus better when we celebrate the Eucharist together. The children will process out of church after the Gospel, following the 2nd crucifer, and return during the exchange of the Peace. Parents are welcome to accompany their children to CC at any time.
Children’s Chapel is a loosely structured mirror of what is occurring in the Nave for the adults. Children help set a worship table and have an opening prayer. Following a song they hear a very brief summary of the Gospel and then respond to the Gospel through a game, worksheet, discussion, etc. This is followed by a creed, prayers, confession and dismissal. Because CC serves a wide age range, everything is presented in easy-to-understand language and all are encouraged to participate at whatever level they are able.
Children's Chapel Schedule for 2019-2020
Coming Soon !
Sunday Night Live!
Instead of Sunday morning classes, Sunday school for children and youth takes place one Sunday evening each month during the school year (see schedule below). Each monthly session runs from 5-7pm, with the following schedule:
5 - 6 pm Christian Education
6 - 6:30 pm Shared meal
6:30 - 7pm Eucharist
Children and youth are divided into age-level groups, and lessons focus on biblical stories and themes, as well as connecting biblical themes to everyday life challenges. The evening Eucharist is child-focused, informal, and participative, and parents are welcome to join in during classroom time, the meal, and/or the Eucharist.
We call this new way of teaching about God and God's work in the world, "Sunday Night Live!" If you have questions, please contact Rev. Dan Puchalla (rector@annunciationgurnee.org) or Maggie Attiyeh (attiyeh.m@gmail.com or 847-989-3522).
2019-2020 Sunday Night Live (SNL!) Dates
Coming Soon!
Youth Group & Mission Trip
Annunciation's Youth Group, for youth in grades 5 thru 12, meets once a month for service projects, social time, and spiritual growth and exploration. Past activities include making prayer beads and walking a labyrinth; cooking meals or desserts for PADS guests; outings to JumpAmerica and Brunswick bowl; packing care packages for active-duty military personnel; participation in diocesan youth events, such as MIQRA (reading the whole bible in one weekend). Our time together often includes a simple shared meal, as well, allowing time for kids to check in and share concerns and accomplishments.
High school youth are also invited to take part in Annunciation's annual mission activity with Habitat for Humanity
"Additional Information"
Worship is the cornerstone of our shared life as a faith community, and children and youth are welcome - encouraged! - to take an active part in Annunciation's Sunday morning services. Besides participating in the liturgy as worshipers (singing, joining in prayers and responses, receiving communion), children and youth may serve as worship leaders: acolyte, reader, usher, eucharistic minister. If your child is interested in serving in these ways, please contact Rev. Dan Puchalla (rector@annunciationgurnee.org).
Nursery care for babies and young children is available in our professionally staffed nursery, from 9am-11am on Sunday mornings.
"Kid's Word" flyers are available each week; they are designed to bring the Gospel lesson to a child's level of understanding and experience. There are two comprehension/reading levels, one for younger children/beginning readers and another for older elementary students. You can find these brightly colored flyers in the crayon station on the main table in the church entryway ("narthex").
Sacraments: Everyone, of all ages, is invited to participate in communion, receiving the bread and wine of the Lord's Supper. Instructions about how to receive the elements of the Eucharist are printed in the bulletin each week. If your child has not been baptized, and you are interested in baptism, please contact Rev. Dan Puchalla (rector@annunciationgurnee.org). A program of confirmation is offered every other year, with classes to prepare youth (grade 8 and up) offered during the winter/spring just prior to the regional confirmation conducted by the bishop.