Iona-Hope follows the Children’s Charter developed for the Diocese of Southwest Florida and other dioceses which reads:
We are called to care for children
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To treasure each child as a gift from God
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To tell and show children God’s love
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To make working for children one of the important things the church does
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To include children in everything-from Sunday worship to helping others
We are called to minister to children
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To love and protect children
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To love and support families
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To welcome all children who come to us
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To stand up for children’s rights in the world
We are called to ministry by children
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To receive children’s gifts as signs of God’s grace
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To be a community where children know each other, care about each other and work together to follow Jesus’ teachings and do God’s work
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To encourage children to show and share God’s love and grace in the world.
At Iona-Hope, Children’s Ministries include Christian Formation, mission opportunities, an Arts/Bible Camp (summer) and choir.
A special area of the church, called The Kids’ Zone, is set aside for activities and teaching. Adult volunteers who work with our children have been certified by The Diocese of Southwest Florida with Safeguarding God’s Children Training.
We believe that each child is a treasured gift of God. Our goal, as people of God, is that children should come to know their gifts so that each may respond to their Baptismal Covenant to serve Christ in the world. We affirm the Children’s charter of Episcopal Church. We encourage all of our children to participate in opportunities to play and work together as community.
Church School
Church School is held each Sunday at 9:30 and is considered the Liturgy of the Word for the children. It is team-taught using lectionary-based (Bible based) and seasonal material and is offered to all children from nursery age through middle school. Children are bought to the church by the teachers during the Peace in order to participate in the Eucharist with entire church family.
Wonderful Wednesday
Wonderful Wednesday are for every one- Single persons and families! We eat dinner together as church family at 6:15. The adults participate in directed Bible study from 7:00 to 7:55 while the children participate in a mission program which includes music, projects and area mission trips. Projects include an Adopt-a-Grandparent arrangement with a local nursing home. At the end of the evening, all come together for Compline or closing prayers in the Gathering Place.
Arts/Bible Camp
During the third week of June, Iona-Hope offers a special kind of Vacation Bible School which incorporates drama, music and visual arts. Iona-Hope is a faith community of many talented adults who willingly share their gifts with our children. This week-long morning camp culminates in a Friday evening program featuring original plays based upon Bible stories, written by Tom Prather. Children assist in set construction. Other music and arts activities are correlated with each Biblical theme. The 2007 camp included plays based upon Noah’s Ark (“The World Takes a Bath”) Joseph and his brothers (“Joseph’s coat of Many Colors”) and Zaccheus (“Jesus Visits a Short, Mean Guy”). The campers also used Orff instruments and choir chimes to accompany their music. Visual Arts included pottery and painting.
Other events for children include the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Race, Fall and Winter Fun Days and Blessing of Animals.
