Children

We walk beside children on their faith journey, nurturing their spiritual growth.

We honor the way children approach spirituality at various developmental stages and guide them using methods that are most engaging and meaningful for that stage. A relationship with Christ is fostered through age-appropriate education, worship, outreach opportunities, and through our Nursery for the very young.

Additionally, our Preschool and Kindergarten (HCEP&K) provides a lively, creative, loving and safe environment that gives each child the opportunity to develop a sense of self-worth, self-understanding and self-expression.

Lenten Resources and Opportunities

During Lent, we relive our Christian journey and are reminded of God’s amazing love for us. We are encouraged to pray, reflect, and work towards ways to be more kind, generous, and charitable towards one another and all of God’s people. At Holy Comforter we offer a variety of ways for families to live into this season. Please pick up one of our Lenten prayer calendars at the Children’s Ministries table in the Narthex. Learn of other opportunities to learn and serve. Wishing all a holy Lent.

Children’s Ministries:

Children’s Ministries includes programs for children ages 4 years old–6th Grade and is designed to promote spiritual development and Christian education through a developmentally appropriate, child-centered approach. 4- and 5-year-olds are instructed using a Montessori-based program called Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Grades 1–4 also participate in a Montessori-based program called Godly Play. Grades 5 and 6 utilize a faith-based outreach and wellness program called Faith in Action. In addition to the formation offerings, several special enrichment events occur throughout the year including: All Saints Day celebration, Study of the Holy Eucharist, Christian Seder Meal, and a Walk Through Holy Week.

Children’s Ministries Calendar 2023–2024

Children’s Sunday School:

At Holy Comforter, we have a child-centered approach to spiritual development and religious instruction in our Sunday School classes.

Register Online

4-year olds and kindergartners are instructed through a Montessori-based program called Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. (Room 309, 3rd floor)

1st–4th graders are instructed using a program called Godly Play, a Christian education program that helps children become aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives. Children are encouraged to wonder together about this mystery. (Rooms 310 and 313, 3rd floor)

5th and 6th graders are invited to join us for Faith in Action, an engaging faith-based wellness and outreach program designed specifically for this age group. (Lillian Croy Room, 1st floor)

Holy Comforter Episcopal Preschool and Kindergarten (HCEP&K):

Provides a lively, creative, loving, and safe environment that gives each child the opportunity to develop a sense of self-worth, self-understanding and self-expression. Our integrated curriculum encourages the social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual development of children.

Learn More About HCEP&K

Nursery:

The Holy Comforter nursery seeks to share God’s love with our youngest parishioners through stories, music, and play—reinforcing that God knows them, loves them, and is always with them. Childcare is available for babies and children through age 4 in the Nursery during the later services on Sunday, as well as some meetings and special events so parents and caregivers can enjoy fellowship. Our nurturing staff is trained and background-checked.

Vacation Bible School:

A week-long Christian-based summer camp for parish children and the greater community. Each year, Hogwart’s Vacation Bible School is based upon one of books in the Harry Potter series. The camp is typically held in mid-late June with a Diagon Alley Hogwart’s VBS Preview in lieu of Sunday School one Sunday in April. A large number of adult and teenage volunteers are needed to work as group leaders during the camp and for materials and prop creation in the months leading up to the camp. This an outreach project for the entire parish.

Hogwarts Vacation Bible School is scheduled for June 24–28, 2024.

Registration is open! Children ages 5–11 are eligible to participate as students. Teenagers ages 12–18 are invited to participate as Prefects. Registration will be accepted through May 12 or until slots are filled.

Learn More And Register

Holy Comforter’s Organ

The current organ at Church of the Holy Comforter was installed in September 2012 by the Walker Technical Company of Zionsville, Pa., and features more than 80 stops playable from four manuals plus the pedal keyboard.

A fully digital instrument, its voices draw on Walker’s extensive library of electronic samples taken from pipe organs built by the famous Aeolian-Skinner company of Boston, which was active from 1932 to 1972.

As the current clergy and Vestry have recognized in discussions and planning sessions for the future direction of Holy Comforter, our great strength is meaningful worship; and, as our previous rector Bob Denig expressed in 1988 before purchase of our previous organ, “Music is at the heart of that worship; it plays an absolutely irreplaceable role…(and) so often says what cannot be said.”

Music surrounds and enfolds the liturgy and readies us all to be in the presence of the majesty and mystery of our relationship with God. The new Walker Technical Company organ greatly enhances our music program in several ways: it allows the authentic performance of most all of the classical and traditionally Anglican repertoire; it enhances all parishioners’ worship experience, and better leads hymn singing; and it enhances the literature sung by the choirs.

We envision our organ as the foundation of a variety of musical events in addition to use in worship, with concerts becoming the basis of various outreach and other fund-raising activities.

If you have questions about our Children’s Ministry and/or any of our current offerings, please contact Susan McGuire.

Adult Choir

Normally, from mid-September to early June, the Adult Choir sings weekly at the 11:00 a.m. Sunday liturgy. We offer leadership in congregational singing as well as an anthem at the offertory and sometimes during communion. We also sing at special services during the year, particularly during Advent and Lent. Twice a year we sing choral evensong, a rich evening service derived from elements of the offices of Vespers and Compline, and occasionally we present major works in liturgical or concert settings.

Chorister Program

Normally, from mid-September to early June, Holy Comforter’s Chorister Program follows the precepts of the Royal School of Church Music in America. Modeled after the cathedral choir school tradition, the choristers learn about music, liturgy, teamwork, and leadership. The Choristers sing weekly at the 9:00 a.m. liturgy, and occasionally at special services throughout the season. There is no fee to participate in the program. Choristers are encouraged to participate in local choir festivals and regional summer training courses. Scholarships are available for these types of events. Young people are eligible to participate in the Chorister Program beginning in second grade, and can continue through high school.

Taizé Contemplative Worship

Normally, from September through May, Holy Comforter’s Music Ministry sponsors evening services in a contemplative style, offering a unique opportunity to decompress and prepare for the week ahead. The service occurs on the last Sunday of the month at 5:00 p.m. in St. Mary’s Chapel. Taizé contemplative worship is a powerful and moving combination of song and scripture featuring lush greenery, candles, icons, and considerable time spent in silent meditation.