CHILDREN AND YOUTH

St. Ann's seeks to offer a variety of ministries for our children and youth and their parents and caregivers.

Childcare is offered by two on staff with the help of members who work together on Sundays mornings in our nursery and toddler room. The staff and any member who works with children are required to do a Sexual Prevention Workshop offered by the Diocese of Tennessee.  A satisfactory background check is also required for staff. The staff and members in our nursery and toddler seek to provide materials and toys that are safe and appropriate for play and learning about the Christian faith.

Christian Education for Children and Youth is offered from September to May.  Members are recruited and trained to teach Sunday school.  Youth are prepared for Confirmation by the Rector and when available a Seminary Intern. There is a Sunday school class for youth on Sunday mornings. Teachers are members that are trained in a curriculum or have prepared lessons that relate faith, the church and living in the world.

There is an Annual Mission trip in the summer. This week long experience offers the opportunity for Christian service, prayer, building relationships and fun. Depending on the number of youth this trip occurs annually with the youth sponsoring fundraisers to cover expenses.

An Urban Mission Experience is being planned due to the high number of lower school and middle school members. It seeks to introduce them to the good works being done in the city and to build community by spending the night together and sharing in meals.

The youth groups consist of Episcopal Youth Community - EYC (9th to 12th grades) and Episcopal Kids Community EKC for youth in 5th to 8th grades.  Adults are recruited to serve as Advisors.

We encourage our children and youth to attend summer camp at Camp Gailor Maxon in Monteagle, Tennessee.  It is a summer camp for the three dioceses in Tennessee.  To learn more about the camp visit www.duboseconferencecenter.org/campgailormaxon.

Efforts are made to include our children and youth in outreach activities of the parish when appropriate. We seek to instill in them a core value of our church- service and respecting the dignity of all people.

The ministries to our children and youth depend heavily on our adult members.