Preparation for Infant and Child Baptism

Because infants and children are too young to make vows for themselves, parents and sponsors (godparents) make vows on their behalf. A preparation and rehearsal meeting is required for parents who present their children to be baptized at Grace Cathedral.

Children who are old enough to understand something about their baptisms need their own preparation. Children are best prepared for baptism through regular attendance in Godly Play, but when this is not possible, other arrangements are made.

To register for infant and child baptism, click here.

Sunday School for Children

Grace Cathedral is a house of prayer for all people: young and old. Grace Cathedral honors its community of children and their questions about who we are, why we are here, what freedom is for... and so much more.

Visitors are always welcome, Sunday school begins at 10:45 a.m.

Godly Play

Children are having their own experience of God! Through Godly Play, children learn to use the art of religious language to share and express their experiences of God in Christian community.

Play is children's work.

The Godly Play classroom is a sanctuary for children from 4-years-old through fifth grade. In this classroom, the two adult teachers are invited guests of the children. Teachers are fellow learners exploring the sacred stories and liturgical actions of the Christian people, the parables of Jesus, and silence. In the Montessori tradition, children in the Godly Play sanctuary choose their own responses: there are many kinds of work from which to choose.  Some children choose to work with story materials or art materials, to write or care for their sacred space or even to work on themselves by sitting quietly and thinking or praying.

When our Godly Play session is finished, the community of children enters the cathedral as part of the Offertory procession, joining their families in the family seating area, for the Holy Eucharist. If your family is visiting us for the first time, please ask an usher for information.

GraceQuest

Honoring the spiritual lives of children is a life-long practice. Middle school students meet on the first, second, fourth, and fifth Sundays of each month to explore their own questions about how to make meaning of their experience, and to learn about the ways in which our Christian faith, the Anglican tradition, and the Episcopal Church can provide food for their journeys.

On the third Sunday of each month, GraceQuest members serve the congregation, serving as ushers, lectors, hospitality volunteers or acolytes.

Seating for Families & Children

During the 11 a.m. Choral Eucharist, families with children sit together in the first pews at the front left of the cathedral congregation: because it's fun and we like each other, and because it helps teachers and children to find their families when it's time.

Infant and Toddler Care

Children of all ages are always welcome in worship at Grace Cathedral. Infants and toddlers often are most comfortable in our nursery with professional childcare attendants. If parents are needed, we contact them via our in-house silent paging system. The nursery is open each Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., year round.

Youth Confirmation

Inspired by Grace Cathedral's mission of transforming the world beginning with ourselves, a youth confirmation class is convened bi-annually, for a nine-month journey of discernment into the ways and teachings of the Episcopal Church. Youth who complete this course will be prepared to make an adult commitment to the Christian life and faith, if they feel called to receive the sacrament of confirmation.

The youth confirmation group is a covenanted group, members agree at the outset to attend and participate for the entire course. They meet roughly twice each month, usually at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings. There will be occasional field trips, a retreat, explorations of Christian faith practice and other faith traditions, in addition to learning about the Scripture, reason and traditions of the Episcopal Church.

Got Questions?

Your questions and feedback are always welcome. For information about Ministries with Families, Children & Youth, please contact Carren Sheldon, Associate for Family Ministries at 415-749-6369 or send an e-mail by clicking here.

Our programs are funded through the annual financial commitments of congregants. Gifts are always welcome, but fees are never charged for regular Sunday programs, and scholarships are available for special events.