Children’s Ministry Update! 

Over the past several months, our Children’s Ministry has been filled with meaningful learning, joyful moments, and exciting growth. It has been a true gift to walk alongside our children and youth as they explore faith, community, and compassion together.

Remembering the Saints: Fall Learning
Beginning in November, the children were introduced to the GO Project curriculum Remembering the Saints in Our Lives. November is a season of reflection and remembrance, and this curriculum invited the children to explore what it means to honour those who have come before us. We learned about All Saints Day on November 1, remembering both historical saints and the everyday “saints” in our own lives—people who model kindness, love, and compassion. We also explored how many cultures remember departed loved ones during this sacred season.

Throughout the month, we reflected on several important days of remembrance, including Remembrance Day (November 11), World Kindness Day (November 13), and Trans Day of Remembrance (November 20). Using the words of Ecclesiastes, the children learned that there is a season for everything—to mourn and to rejoice, to weep and to laugh, and to seek peace.

Together, we talked about why remembering the past matters and how our actions today shape the legacy we leave for others. Alongside this learning, the children also began rehearsing for our Christmas concert with enthusiasm and dedication.

Advent and Christmas
In December, we continued with another GO Project curriculum focused on Advent, exploring the themes of Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace. These themes guided our lessons and activities as we prepared for the Christmas season. Our Christmas concert on December 14 was a wonderful success, and I am incredibly proud of all the children and youth who participated. Their hard work, confidence, and teamwork truly shone.

Growing Through Scripture: Winter Learning
In January, we introduced a new lesson structure by following the United Church lectionary. Through this approach, the children have explored stories including the Baptism of Jesus, the Beatitudes, Fishing for People, God’s Eyewitness, and Seeking the Saviour through the story of the Three Wise Men. This style of teaching helps connect our learning more closely to the wider life of the church while encouraging curiosity, discussion, and deeper understanding.

Lent: Women of the Gospel
Beginning February 22, we will enter our Lenten journey using the GO Project curriculum Lent: Women of the Gospel. Over seven weeks, the children will learn about the important roles women played in Jesus’ story, including Mary the mother of Jesus, Elizabeth, the Syrophoenician woman, Mary and Martha, the women and children of Palm Sunday, the woman who anointed Jesus, and Mary Magdalene. Through these stories, the children will reflect on faith, courage, humility, and love—and how they can live out these values in their own lives.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

There are several exciting events on the horizon for our children and families:
● Easter Celebration & Annual Easter Egg Hunt – We look forward to celebrating Easter together with our annual egg hunt and a joyful time of community.
● Family Swim Day & Pizza – A fun family swim day followed by pizza is being planned for March or April. The exact date is to be determined, and more details will be shared soon.
● Godly Play Session – A Godly Play session is being planned for April, offering children a creative and reflective way to engage with sacred stories.
● Imagine Children’s Retreat 2026 – Children ages 8–11 are invited to attend Imagine Children’s Retreat, a United Church–sponsored event taking place April 17–19, 2026, at Kasota East Camp in Sylvan Lake. This inclusive retreat welcomes children of diverse faith expressions, gender identities, and family structures, and offers a safe space for play, worship, storytelling, music, and faith exploration. I am happy to attend as a chaperone if children from our church are interested. The cost is $300 (including transportation, meals, and supplies), and bursary support is available to ensure cost is not a barrier.

Overall, it has been a rich and rewarding season in Children’s Ministry. I am deeply grateful for the energy, curiosity, and openness of our children and youth, and I look forward to continuing this journey together as we learn, grow, and celebrate faith as a community.

Alec Gallant

Children’s Ministry Leader