Welcome to E-KIDS, the new Christian education program for children ages 4-12, which launches Sunday, October 6, 2024.

This program will be offered every Sunday at 10 a.m. at Emmanuel, starting on the first Sunday of October. Children will meet in the church. Please be there at least 5 minutes before 10 a.m. Then, the teachers will lead them to the children’s room, which is in the same building as the church. Parents do not have to be members of Emmanuel Church or are currently attending church services. Children will be brought back to the church service for the last part of the church service, where parents will pick them.

We invite all children in this age group to explore a faith journey with us at Emmanuel. We incorporate intergenerational worship with children’s activity time. Emmanuel members and friends are preparing to welcome Orcas youngsters to explore ideas and questions of spirituality and faith.

We are excited to highlight our location on the shores of the Salish Sea, the natural garden environment, the labyrinth in its many dimensions, Bible stories, music, and Christian liturgical activities. In addition, many generations are offering unique talents to provide mentors in our midst.

Children’s questions, inquiry, and insight make us all think more broadly. Please join us and help build a new community of expansive faith on Orcas!

Calendar of Sunday gatherings at 10:00 A.M.

  • Sunday, October 6: Jesus blessed the children. Blessing of the animals and St. Francis Day.
  • Sunday, October 13: Jesus invites us to share with others, especially with those in need.
  • Sunday, October 20: Exploring the labyrinth.
  • Sunday, October 27 Children’s Eucharist. Pumpkin carving at coffee hour.
  • Sunday, November 3: We are all Saints!
  • Sunday, November 10: Gratitude as we prepare for Thanksgiving.
  • Sunday, November 17: The church is not a building but the people.
  • Sunday, November 24: Children’s Eucharist
  • NO 10th Gathering: Sunday, December 1
  • Sunday, December 8 Second Sunday of Advent: How do we prepare for Christmas?
  • Sunday, December 15 Third Sunday of Advent: Receiving and Sharing in Christmas.
  • Sunday, December 22, Fourth Sunday of Advent, Who is the child that comes?
  • Children’s Christmas Eucharist at 5pm on December 24
  • Sunday, December 29 NO gathering. Sunday after Christmas
  • Recess Sundays, January 5 and 12.
  • Restart on January 19th

Our commitment to Emmanuel’s children’s ministry:

  • Children will feel invited by God to be part of a community that prays, worships, learns, and serves others.
  • Children will be inspired to experience a community of faith that helps them draw closer to God, their neighbor, and creation as we all follow the Way of Love of Christ.
  • Children will live into the reality that they are created in God’s image and are beloved children of God, called to carry out God’s work of reconciliation, love, forgiveness, healing, justice, and peace.
  • Children will experience a religious community that is not closed-minded or “dogmatic,” guilt-ridden or rigid, but rather a community that is open to questions and wonder.
  • Children will be loved, sheltered, protected, advocated for, and defended as a gift from God.