Cathedral Calendar
Worship with Children
Grace Cathedral is a house of prayer for all people, of all ages. Visiting children & youth are always welcome in programs for children, beginning at 10:45 a.m., on the crypt level. Enter from Taylor Street.
Godly Play for children (age 4 through 5th grade)
Children are having their own experiences of God! Godly Play invites children into the art of using religious language, and especially the language of the Christian people: sacred stories, liturgical actions, parables, and silence, in a Christian community, which honors the children’s special needs and sensibilities.
Play is children's work.
The Godly Play room is a children’s sanctuary. In this place, the two adult teachers are invited guests and fellow learners with the children they serve. In the Montessori tradition, a variety of materials are offered, for each child to choose his/her own way of responding to what s/he learns.
When our Godly Play session finishes, the community of children enters the cathedral in the Offertory procession, and joining with their families (in the family seating area) for the Holy Communion.
GraceQuest for middle school youth (6th - 9th grade)
Honoring the spiritual lives of children is a life-long practice. Middle school students explore their own questions, and the many ways in which our Christian faith, the Anglican tradition, and the Episcopal Church offer food for their journeys.
In addition, many GraceQuest members and other youth serve in the congregation, as ushers, lectors, hospitality volunteers and acolytes.
Infant and Toddler Care (for children age 5 and younger, only)
Children of all ages are always welcome in worship at Grace Cathedral. Some infants and toddlers prefer to play in the nursery with professional childcare attendants. Parents are provided with silent pagers, so they can be notified if they’re needed. A quiet place for nursing and a changing table are also provided, for anyone who wishes to use them. The nursery is open on Sundays, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Seating for Families & Children
During the 11 a.m. Choral Eucharist, families with children and youth sit together in the first pews at the front left of the cathedral congregation. We sit together so that our children can find us when it’s time—and because we like to be together!
Infant and Child Baptism
For more information on infant and child baptism, click here.
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.