Saint James Woonsocket

(401) 762-2222
24 Hamlet Ave.
Woonsocket RI 02895

Family Ministries

St. James is committed to returning to its place as the center of community for its members and all who are searching for a vibrant, growing church that invites everyone to worship with joy, to serve others, to teach, and to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Parents of young children have so much to learn from each other and need time to relax and recover from the constant demands of family life.  At St. James, we encourage parents to let us help.  Once a month, children are invited to a “pajama party”.  They come in their pajamas for a  simple supper and a movie from 5:00p.m. to 8:00p.m.  Parents are encouraged to use that time to catch up with each other, to enjoy a quiet dinner, or to do errands.   Teens bring their own challenges to their families.  Knowing that one of the clear ways to arm them against the stress and pressures of their  peer group is to provide Christian education for them, we, at St. James, invite them to a teen night once a month in addition to their very active weekly church school class.  They can eat, listen to music, play games, watch a movie, or take advantage of local activities like bowling and skating.  Family nights that include the entire church family are also planned.  Our most recent game night was so much fun that we are planning another very soon.

CHURCH SCHOOL

Teaching children about God is one of the most important ministries at St. James.  As John Westerhoff, Episcopal theologian, suggests, faith develops in an ongoing but repeating  cycle of experience, affiliation, searching, and owned faith.   We have recently begun a kindergarten class for the youngest members of the church and have well established church school classes for children of all ages through high school.  Because we believe in children as part of the worshiping community of St. James, church school classes are held following the 9:30 service.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Last summer our Vacation Bible School focused on music, service, and outreach.  Children learned the fundamentals of singing as part of a church choir, of serving as a worship leader as a member of the altar servers’ guild, and created an altar frontal  for an outdoor ministry in Cambridge, MA.  Fifteen children and teens participated in the program and have formed the core of our youth choir and servers’ guild.   This summer we are excited to teach music, the seasons of the church year, and to prepare for a performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.  Vacation Bible School will be held the week of July 28.