Enthusiasm & Wonder
THE REV. DR. KYLE BABIN, INTERIM ASSOCIATE RECTOR
Some of my most treasured moments in ministry have been administering Communion to children. Most children instinctively know that they're receiving something special when they come to the altar rail—even if they might not be old enough to articulate a Eucharistic theology. Our Anglican tradition lives into the timeless adage, "praying shapes believing." Pray and worship first, then your belief will deepen. We can learn so much simply by doing and being in the presence of almighty God. Children often teach me a lot about this. I've frequently seen children reaching eagerly over the altar rail for Communion as I administer the sacrament to the person next to them. They're impatient and eager to receive the wondrous gift! The Church's task, in its intergenerational beauty, is to come alongside children and their families, to acknowledge their enthusiasm and wonder, and to help them know God in it all.
In this time of transition in Children’s Ministry—as we give thanks for Ashlee Ligon's six years of service at St. James’s and prayerfully discern who will serve as the next Director—Beth and I are working hard with lay leaders to prepare for the 2026-27 program year. So far, we've received a number of applications for the position, and the Holy Spirit's movement seems palpable in the search process. We'll look forward to providing more updates when we have specific news to share.
This season of planning and dreaming about the future has been filled with wonder. We're wondering what Sunday School will look like next program year. We're wondering how many more children and their families will be led here by the Holy Spirit. We're wondering how we can build on the excellent work of Ashlee by creating intentional spaces and moments for the formation of children in the knowledge and love of the Lord. We're wondering how to make the most of the incredible second floor of Michaux House as we re-imagine the aesthetics of the classrooms. We're wondering how many more teachers we can recruit to teach Sunday School so that the formation of children is shared by all generations. We're wondering how we can continue to support parents and families in lives of discipleship Monday through Saturday, and not just on Sunday.
Providing a safe, nurturing space for children and their families to encounter the mystery of the living God requires intentional planning on our part, and to that end, we'd like to share a few key dates we hope you'll be excited about. I encourage you to mark your calendars now!
Sunday, August 23 - Children's Chapel begins!
Saturday, August 29 - We’re hosting a Sunday School Teacher Orientation from 9:00 to 11:00 AM on the second floor of Michaux. If you think God might be calling you to serve as a teacher, please click here to send me an email and we’ll find a time to chat!
Sunday, August 30 - Our annual Blessing of the Backpacks will take place at the 10:00 service. Students of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks and receive a tag.
Sunday, September 20 - Sunday School begins! Please register your child(ren) through the link below now.
As always, please visit the Children’s Ministry page. You will find information on scheduling baptisms and notifying us of new births. And stay tuned for a more detailed calendar for 2026-27, as well as the opportunity to subscribe to a calendar in Pushpay with notifications.
Even as children attend camps and families travel, we're busily redecorating and prepping Sunday School classrooms, organizing the children's library, planning lessons, and reserving dates for families to socialize and gather throughout the year. It's my prayer that, beginning on September 20, the second floor of Michaux House will resound with many happy, curious voices.
Jesus has told us that we must become like children to enter the kingdom of God. May the coming program year be a glorious opportunity to become like children for the sake of the One who came among us as a child, to love, redeem, and make us whole.