Children

At Redeemer, we use the term “children” to refer to infants through students in 5th grade and the term “youth” to refer to students in 6th through 12th grades. Click here to visit the Youth page.

Children (Infants to 5th Grade)

Redeemer provides many ways for children and their parents to participate in parish life, build deeper faith, and establish stronger families.

Join us every Sunday morning for Children’s Chapel during the 9 a.m. mass. Children in VPK through 5th grade leave for Children’s Chapel (held in Gillespie Hall) before the reading of the Gospel and return to their families at The Peace.

Sunday School is held on Sunday mornings during the academic year from 10-10:40 a.m. for VPK to 12th grade students. Sunday School classes are offered in Spanish during the Sunday at 1 p.m. mass.

Redeemer’s nurseries are open year-round for infants (6 weeks and older) through 4-year-olds during services on Sunday at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and on holy days throughout the year. Our Little Lambs nursery is for infants and toddlers. Our Tiny Tigers nursery is for confident walkers up to age 4. Redeemer’s trained, professional nursery staff make this time special for little ones!

A mother’s lounge for nursing in private is located directly across from the nurseries.

Children in 1st grade and up can serve as acolytes during our services. For more information, email parishioner Beth Cave.

Children in kindergarten through 5th grade can become members of the Redeemer Choir School and sing on Sunday mornings and for other services throughout the year. For more information, email Redeemer Organist-Choirmaster Sam Nelson.

Redeemer Kids Bags are filled with quiet activities for young children. These blue bags are available on Sunday mornings in the narthex. We invite you to use them during the service and place the bag back on the rack when you leave.

All staff and volunteers who work with children and youth at Redeemer have been screened and have completed Safeguarding God’s Children training through the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida.

Jacki Boedecker, a lifelong Episcopalian, is Redeemer’s Director of Children’s Christian Formation. She has led Children’s Christian Formation at Redeemer under four Rectors.

If you have questions about baptism, First Communion, children’s programs, or visiting Redeemer with children, email Redeemer Director of Children’s Christian Formation Jacki Boedecker.

Serve on Saturdays: Outreach projects for parishioners of all ages that are typically held on the third Saturday of each month throughout the academic year.

The Fourth Trimester & Beyond: A Sunday morning offering (10:10-10:40 a.m.) for parents, grandparents, caregivers, and all those who love children with a focus on health, happiness, faith, and our shared goal of building a supportive, nurturing world for children.

Advent Event: Held on the Sunday morning before Advent begins, the Advent Event gives families the opportunity to make an Advent wreath and Christ candle.

Christmas Eve Family Mass: This service, which includes a live nativity and special visitor, will be held on Sunday, December 24, at 3 p.m. Childcare will be available for children ages 6 weeks to 4 years old during the service.

Christmas Break Camp: This overnight camp for children and youth in grades 3-8 is held at DaySpring Episcopal Conference Center in Parrish, Florida, at the end of December. It’s led by Youth Minister Jackie Overton.

Race Back to Sunday School: Student-built cars are manned by Sunday School teachers during this fun Olympic-style event in January.

Bagels & Bacon in Bathrobes with Candy Bar Bingo: This event for children and youth is held during the Annual Parish Meeting in January.

Movie on the Lawn: Each February, Redeemer hosts a Movie on the Lawn in the courtyard with snacks and a fun feature film for families.

Just Do It: At this winter offering for elementary schoolers, parishioners teach children about their area of expertise, and then the children try their hand at doing it! Just Do It is held on Wednesdays in January and February from 6:30-7:30 p.m. 

Little Hands, Big Hearts: Elementary schoolers gather on Wednesday nights in Lent to participate in outreach projects.

Procession of the Palms, Holy Week Tableaus, and Palm Sunday Petting Zoo: At the 9 a.m. mass on Palm Sunday, children process into church holding palm branches, participate in Holy Week tableaus during the service, and enjoy a petting zoo with a variety of animals on the lawn after the service.

Flowering of the Cross: Before and after masses on Easter Day, children and families can place a flower on the cross that is made from Redeemer’s Christmas tree.

Easter Day Egg Hunt: A fun egg hunt for children is held on Easter Day after the 9 a.m. mass.

Summer Sunday Specials: These intergenerational Sunday School classes are held on Sundays in June after the 9 a.m. mass.

Vacation Bible School: This week of fun and faith for elementary schoolers takes place the week before the new school year begins. 

Blessing of the Backpacks: Children and youth bring their backpacks to church on a Sunday in August to receive a special blessing for the new school year during the 9 a.m. mass.

Vacation Bible School Celebration Sunday and Sundaes on Sunday: To mark the end of Vacation Bible School week, children and volunteers sing special songs during the 9 a.m. mass, and everyone enjoys ice cream sundaes and highlights from VBS after the 9 a.m. mass in Gillespie Hall. 

Rally Sunday: Children and parents meet their new Sunday School teachers and sign up for the year on a Sunday in mid-August after the 9 a.m. mass.

Parents in Prayer: As the new school year begins in mid-August, parents come together to attend the 10 a.m. mass in the chapel. 

Sunday School Open House: Toward the beginning of the new school year, parents and parishioners visit Redeemer’s Sunday School classrooms on the second floor of the Robinson Center (VPK-8th grades) and the Babcock Youth Room (9th-12th grades) on a Sunday morning from 10-10:40 a.m.

LOGOS: This Wednesday evening program for elementary schoolers is held each fall from 5-6:30 p.m.

Parents’ Night Out Interactive Cooking Class: Led by a chef, this fun evening gives parents the chance to learn how to cook a special meal and then enjoy sitting down to eat together.

Blessing of the Animals: Redeemer priests offer a special blessing for family pets of all kinds. Bring your pet to the courtyard for a special Sunday evening in the fall. 

Trunk or Treat: Members of the community come to Gulfstream Avenue in front of Redeemer to see car trunks decorated for Halloween and receive candy. This event is held in late October.