Formation For Children,
Youth & Families

This page is your hub for all things children, youth, and family at St. Mark's (sometimes abbreviated to CYF). We offer thoughtfully designed faith formation for children and youth of every age, along with programs and spaces that support families in every season of life. Whether you're here for your toddler, your teenager, or yourself, there's a place for you.

Explore the options in the menu below to learn more.

The Short Version

What: Care for children ages 1-4
When: Sundays, 9:15 to the end of the 10:30 service (program year), 10:15 to the end of the service (summer)
Where: Basement Classroom

The Long Version

Nursery care is available most Sundays for children ages 1–4. Care is offered during the 10:30 service year-round, and during the formation hour (9:15–10:15) throughout the program year, when adult classes are in session. Our nursery is Montessori-inspired and follows a Godly Play approach modified to meet the needs of toddlers and preschoolers. Our licensed, SafeChurch-trained childcare providers strive to create a welcoming, safe, and spiritually enriching environment for our very youngest children.

As a parent, we trust you'll know when your child is ready to join us in the nursery. A few milestones to look for: your child is at least one year old, can sit up independently, and can safely eat snacks like applesauce pouches and goldfish crackers.

Meet the Teachers

Our lead nursery teacher is Yury Murcia. She brings to this role extensive Montessori training and many years of experience in early childhood education. She is a wonderful, steady, loving presence for our youngest children on Sunday mornings and we are lucky to have her! The rest of the week she can be found running her own Montessori school, Genie Bambini, in Herriman.

Pictures of the Nursery Classroom

The Short Version

What: Spiritual Formation Classes for Children Ages 5-10
When: Sunday from 9:15-10:15 Godly Play (program year only, September–May)
Sunday from 10:30-the peace Sacred Story Circle (year-round)
Where: Basement Classroom by the Family Lounge

The Long Version

Stargazers is the umbrella name for our Sunday formation programs for children ages 5 through 10. We have two distinct offerings for this age group: Godly Play and Sacred Story Circle.

During the formation hour (9:15–10:15), we gather for Godly Play: a gentle, contemplative, Montessori-based program that immerses children in the Bible and the liturgy of the church through storytelling, wonder, and play. Children are invited to listen deeply, to wonder aloud, and to respond in their own way. Godly Play follows the program year, running September through May. Click here to learn more about Godly Play.

During the 10:30 service, from the start of worship until the Peace, children are welcome in Sacred Story Circle — a program rooted in children's literature and following the rhythm of the lectionary. Together we read one of the day's readings from a children's Bible or picture book, and then one or two more books that reflect similar themes and questions. We close with an open-ended discussion and a snack, and then walk up together to sit with our families at the Peace. Sacred Story Circle runs nearly year-round; major feast days, holidays, and long weekends are usually the only exceptions.

Meet the Teachers

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Pictures of the Classroom

Wayfinders is the Christian formation class for youth in grades 5–8 (approximately ages 10–14) at St. Marks. The curriculum is inspired by the structure and philosophy of Godly Play, but it has been thoughtfully adapted to meet the distinct needs of children in late childhood and early adolescence. Wayfinders meets weekly in the Undercroft. For more information, please feel free to contact Alexandria at godlyplay@stmarksutah.org. Alternatively, you can view an overview of the Wayfinders curriculum using the button below.

Wayfinders is on break for the summer. Classes will resume in August.

Children’s Choir

Children’s Choir is on break for the summer. Choir will resume in August.

Our children’s choir is a place for children to make a joyful noise and find God in music. Choir meets on Thursday nights at 7 PM. The choir members learn to sing a wide variety of sacred music and spirituals and are regular participants in Sunday worship services. They also learn basic musical skills like singing in-tune, correct vocal technique, beginning notation, and movement. Our choir director is Emily Spencer who brings thirty years of experience as a music educator. If you would like to learn more or to join the choir please reach out to Emily at emilyespencer@gmail.com.

Family Spaces

Coming to church with kids can be stressful! We have thoughtfully prepared spaces throughout our building with the needs of both caregivers and children in mind. We hope this can make the experience of coming to church a little easier for everyone.

The St. Mark’s Family Lounge (located on the lower level/undercroft) is available for parents and caregivers of infants and young children. Speakers provide audio of the service broadcast live from the sanctuary, so you have the option to listen in should you wish. Nursing and infant feeding supplies are available, as are glider chairs for nursing/feeding. The lounge also has a collection of faith-based picture and board books and an assortment of toys for restless toddlers.

Of course, babies and children of every age are always welcome in the service itself — crying, wiggling, and all. If you're caring for an infant under one, please know that you're free to nurse, feed, and comfort them right there in the pew. However, if you're looking for a quiet place to retreat, you're welcome in the family lounge in the church basement, where there are rocking chairs and you can still hear the service.

Family-friendly restrooms are located throughout the building and are marked with a “baby-changing” symbol. These restrooms are equipped with changing stations, diapering supplies and step stools. We have high chairs available in the Parish Hall for use during coffee hour.

Family Worship Services

Family services are on break for the summer. Services will resume in September.

Every month we hold a Family Service from 9:15–10 a.m in the Children’s Chapel (located in the church undercroft). This service is ~45 minutes long and is especially designed for families with children ages 0–12! There will be a children’s homily and children are invited to actively participate in the service in various ways. Family worship is a great way to get kids acquainted with and excited about worship! For more information and the date of the next family worship service, please consult the calendar.

Special events throughout the church year include: St. Francis Day/Blessing of the Animals, our Día de Los Muertos celebration, St. Nicholas Day service, Children’s Stations of the Cross, Easter Egg hunt, and Pentecost Birthday boxes for our food-insecure friends at Hildegarde’s Food Pantry.

Contact: Alexandra Bishop, godlyplay@stmarksutah.org with questions.

Camp Tuttle

Camp Tuttle is an outdoor ministry of the Episcopal Church of Utah. Nestled at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon and run through the Diocese of Utah, Camp Tuttle offers retreats and overnight summer camps for children entering grades 3–12.

For more info about upcoming events visit camptuttle.org!