Children, Youth, & Family Ministry

Good Shepherd’s Children, Youth, and Family Ministries provide opportunities of engagement in areas of faith formation, through education, leadership, worship, fellowship, fun, and service within Good Shepherd and the South Sound area. From faith formation on Sunday mornings, to youth activity nights on the third Sunday evening of each month, to discussion groups, to game nights, to opportunities to learn about the Lutheran faith, to coming together in service, there are many activities for children, youth, and all kinds of families this season at Good Shepherd! To learn more about these programs, events and activities, see below or join the CYF email list by sending a message to Heidi Prince, Interim Coordinator of Children & Family Ministry, at heidi@gsolympia.org or Jennie Rowley, Interim Coordinator of Youth & Family Ministry, at jennie@gsolympia.org.

Sunday Morning Programs

Children’s Area & Staffed Nursery – Sunday Mornings during worship

The Children’s Area is the front right of the sanctuary. We ask that care givers sit in the adjacent seating area to monitor their children. A staffed nursery is also available in Room 114 if needed.

For All God’s Children – Sunday Mornings during 10 am Worship

For All God’s Children time takes place at the beginning of worship when we will call children to the front of the sanctuary for the Children’s Message, prayer, and blessing.

Sunday School – Every Sunday at 11:20 am

Pre-5th grade children and youth are invited to attend Sunday School, which will include snacks, a Bible story, opportunities for wonder and curiosity, movement, activities and connection. We meet in Room 114 and break into two age groups: Littles (Preschool-1st grade) and Middles (2nd-5th grades).

We are looking forward to a year full of learning, curiosity, wonder and delight as we dig into God’s stories and discover more about who God is—together! Questions? Contact Heidi Prince at heidi@gsolympia.org.

Youth Discipleship Classes – Every Sunday at 11:20 am

All youth (Grades 6th-12th) explore questions big and small and get to know each other with Rob Kemp and other terrific guides. Grab a snack after worship, then meet in Room 160 (end of hallway by the Crary Fellowship Hall bathrooms).

We learn about the history of the church, the stories and ways of reading the Bible and the practices of the Lutheran expression of Christianity. In addition, this class is focused on building relationships and community that cultivate a life of service. During each session there will be time for lessons and discussions, conversation and reflection, and creative expressions of faith. This year begins with “How to Read the Bible” offered by Jennie Rowley, an extremely cool youth worker and newcomer to Good Shepherd. Parents are welcome to learn alongside your kids for this three-week intro!

This class open to all youth grades 6th and up and meets every Sunday morning at 11:20 am (click on this link for Youth Discipleship Schedule). If you would like to participate in the Youth Discipleship classes, please contact Jennie Rowley at jennie@gsolympia.org for more information.

Monthly Gatherings and Upcoming Events

South Sound Youth Group (Grades 6th & up) – One Sunday each month from 5-7:30 pm

The South Sound Youth Group (SSYG) is a monthly collaborative effort of Olympia and nearby ELCA congregations, hosted at Gloria Dei Lutheran and Good Shepherd Lutheran. These gatherings are a time of fun, community, play, and worship! We'll gather together for dinner (free of cost), before playing games like Vampire Tag in the church. Then we close the night with small group discussions and a time of contemplative worship.

We alternate gatherings each month at Good Shepherd and Gloria Dei. Youth are invited and encouraged to bring friends! Go to Youth Activity Night webpage for more information and schedule.