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.
Nursery
(Ages 1-4)
The Short Version
What: Care for children ages 1-5
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 1–5. 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, Safe Church-trained childcare providers strive to create a welcoming, safe, and spiritually enriching environment for our very youngest children.
As a parent, 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 Leaders
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. We are currently in search of a nursery assistant. Click here if you are interested!
Pictures of the Nursery Classroom
StarGazers
(Ages 5-10)
The Short Version
What: Spiritual Formation for Children Ages 5-10
When: Sunday from 9:15-10:15 Godly Play (program year only, September–May)
Where: Basement Classroom by the Family Lounge
The Long Version
Stargazers is the name for our Sunday formation programs for children ages 5 through 10.
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.
Based on parent feedback, we are considering adding a second offering for this age group to take place during the 10:30 Eucharist service. More to come as that idea takes shape!
Meet the Leaders
We are currently searching for a dedicated Stargazers/Godly Play leader! Click here if you’re interested. In the meantime, our class will be staffed by a lovely rotation of parents and other parish volunteers.
Pictures of the Classroom
Wayfinders
(ages 10-14)
The Short Version
What: Spiritual Formation for Children Ages 10-14 (or 5th-8th grade)
When: Sunday from 9:15-10:15 (program year only, September–May)
Where: Basement Classroom in the hallway with the pictures of world religions
The Long Version
Wayfinders is the Christian formation class for youth in grades 5–8 (approximately ages 10–14) at St. Mark’s. 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 our basement classroom. Click here for a full overview of our curriculum and philosophy.
Meet the Leaders
Our Wayfinders leader is Brooke Parker, who also serves as Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministry. She dreamed up and designed the class herself, and she loves making space for middle schoolers to wonder, ask big questions, and grow in faith through story. A certified Godly Play teacher with a background in place-based, child-centered education, she builds a classroom where curiosity is always welcome.
Pictures of the Classroom
Groundbreakers
(Ages 14-18)
The Short Version
What: Spiritual Formation for youth ages 14-18 (or 9th-12th grade)
When: Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:15, and other times (see calendar)
Where: 2nd Floor Youth Room
The Long Version
Groundbreakers is the Christian formation program for youth in grades 9–12 at St. Mark's. Through the year it offers Sunday morning classes, a more casual gathering after our monthly Family Service, camps and retreats (including Camp Tuttle), and a confirmation class in the spring based on My Faith, My Life. Much of it is anchored by the Groundbreaker's Field Guide, a self-paced companion youth can work through across their high school years. Groundbreakers meets in the 2nd-floor Youth Room — check the calendar for times. It's a path toward confirmation, but it's designed for every teenager looking for a place to ask hard questions and grow in faith, whether or not confirmation is part of their story.
Meet the Leaders
We're currently searching for our dedicated youth team. In the meantime, a rotating group of amazing clergy and parish volunteers is helping us get started.
Children’s Choir
Our children’s choir is a place for children to make a joyful noise and find God in music. Choir currently meets on Sundays at 10:30 until the Peace. 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.
Our “Family Lounge” space located in the undercroft.
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. 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. Please know that you're free to nurse, feed, and comfort your child 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 Worship Services
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 under 18. 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! Family services usually take place on the first Sunday of the month. 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 All Souls Day celebration, St. Nicholas Day service, Children’s Stations of the Cross, Easter Egg hunt, and Pentecost Birthday bags for our food-insecure friends at Hildegarde’s Food Pantry.
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!
Children, Youth & Family Ministry Newsletter
The Lion's Roar is the weekly newsletter of St. Mark's Children, Youth & Family Ministry — named for the winged lion of St. Mark, whose voice heralds good news. Every week it keeps families in the loop: upcoming formation classes and Family Services, seasonal celebrations, volunteer opportunities, milestones worth cheering, and the small everyday moments that bring our children's and youth ministries to life. Whether your family is here every Sunday or just beginning to get to know us, it's an easy way to stay connected to the life we're building together — sign up below to get it in your inbox each week.
Children, Youth & Family Ministry Calendar
Use the little blue 'Add to Google Calendar' link above to sync any of our CYF calendars to your own — just pick the groups that apply to your family (for example, you could choose only the Stargazers and Special Events calendars).