Children and Youth Registration, 2025-2026

It is our honor and joy to walk alongside you and your family as we grow in Christ’s love for one another, and we look forward to a rich year!

This form allows you to register one child at a time for all areas of ministry for either children or youth (Catechesis, Palmer Hall, Children's Ministries, Youth Ushers, Acolytes, Choristers, Confirmation, Youth Formation/Youth Group).

Please allow about 10 minutes to complete this form.
About this form:
This form enables you to register one child/youth at a time for all areas of ministry and programing. If you have more than one child/youth to register, you may elect at the end to reload a new form and all your parent information will carry over.

As you proceed through the form, if a section does not apply to your child/youth, scroll down and click NEXT. At the end of the forms is the SUBMIT button.

We realize there are many configurations of families. This form gives an opportunity to list two parents/guardians as contacts. If you need to include additional information or contacts, there is a space to do that below, and we always welcome a conversation when that's helpful.

With gratitude,

Family Ministry Team:

The Rev. Cate Anthony, associate rector // family ministries, Palmer Hall, Many Parents, One Vine; Family Ministry Guild

The Rev. Abby Kocher, director of children's ministries // children's ministry, nursery, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Family Ministry Guild

Caroline Harris, youth ministry coordinator // youth ministries: acolytes, youth ushers, youth confirmation, youth groups, Family Ministry Guild

Diana Chou, associate director of music // choristers, Family Ministry Guild, ex officio
Parent/Guardian Name*

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian Preferred Name
Parent/Guardian Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Parent/Guardian Email*
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian Home Mailing Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Second Parent/Guardian Name

First NameLast Name
Second Parent/Guardian Preferred Name
Second Parent/Guardian Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Second Parent/Guardian Email
example@example.com
For your convenience, we can add your email address to the distribution list for the family ministry email newsletter. Please provide permission below.*

I give permission.I do not give permission.
Many Parents, One Vine

Many Parents, One Vine is a parent-led support group that addresses topics relevant to family life today. This group will meet most Sundays beginning Sunday, September 21. The MPOV leadership team works with staff to choose the themes, topics, and resources we use for each session. They also share responsibility for facilitating group conversation each session. All are welcome and no registration is required.
Please let us know if you'd like to participate in MPOV this year (weekly attendance not required).

I am interested in being part of this formation offering and community of parents.
Would you like to know more about joining the MPOV leadership team?

Yes
Parent/Guardian Consent
I, parent/guardian, give consent to St. Stephen's to use my child(ren)'s image in church publications and/or social media for ministry purposes and include them in live-streamed services. (Palmer Hall services are not live-streamed; all liturgies in the main church are.)*

YesNo

Child/Youth Information
Child/Youth Full Legal Name*

First NameLast Name
Child/Youth preferred/"goes-by" name
Child/Youth pronouns

He/himShe/herThey/themOther
Youth Email (For Ministry Purposes Only)
example@example.com
Youth Phone Number (For Ministry Purposes Only)
Please enter a valid phone number.
Youth Ministry Communication Preference (parents of children, please choose "Not applicable")*

I provide consent for ministry leaders to communicate directly with my youth for ministry purposes ONLY (email, phone, text).I parent/guardian, DO NOT provide consent for ministry leaders to communicate directly with my youth for ministry purposes. I, the parent, am the primary contact in lieu of my youth.Not applicable
Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Date
Level/Grade in 2025-26*
School Name
Does your child have any allergies? If your child needs an epi-pen, please indicate that so that a staff member may contact you.
We are striving to create ministries for children and youth that reach a range of abilities. Does your child have any developmental or sensory needs or learning differences which would help inform our inclusive planning?

Music
We love to incorporate your child's talents into worship where possible. If your child plays an instrument and would consider playing during a worship service (Palmer Hall, the Agape Meal, etc.) please let us know their name and instrument.
Name and Instrument
St. Stephen's Choristers, 1st - 7th grades
Click here for more information about St. Stephen's Choristers
We are excited to offer our choir for young people of all genders and levels of musical experience for the 2025-26 program year. If your young person is interested in participating, please indicate that below.

Yes, my child would like be a St. Stephen's Chorister (1st - 7th grade)
No previous musical experience is required to participate, and we invite you to tell us about your chorister's musical background (e.g. new to singing/choir, can read music, any participation in school ensembles or music lessons, singing or instrumental experience, etc).
Please indicate here if you are willing to support the St. Stephen's Choristers as an adult volunteer.

I would like to volunteer

Youth, 6th-12th grades
We have a variety of offerings for youth, including worship ministries, outreach opportunities, youth confirmation, Bible study, fellowship outings, and Sunday night youth group. Below you'll find more information about these youth programs and how your youth can get involved.

Visit our youth page to read more about these programs and download the full program year calendar.
Youth Group

Youth groups meet on Sunday evenings, usually twice a month. Gatherings begin with an informal supper for all grades, 6 through 12. Then youth divide into age cohorts for the program. Sometimes youth group gatherings are strictly for fun, such as a movie night, and a couple of times a year we’ll take field trips (whitewater rafting, a tour of local holiday lights, a trip to Kings Dominion). We meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the small fellowship hall. Enter and exit for pick-up at the 2nd breezeway (nearer Three Chopt, by the "outer courtyard"). Friends are more than welcome and and we encourage you come as you are!
Does your youth plan to attend youth group?

YesNo
Sunday Circle-Sunday Morning Gathering

During the Sunday morning formation hour (10:10-11 a.m., between the 9 and 11:15 services), youth meet in Room 4. We gather in community, enjoy breakfast treats, talk about each other’s weeks, and engage in a devotion. This occurs most Sundays and is an especially helpful option for those who may not be available for Sunday evening youth groups.
Does your youth plan to attend Sunday Circle?

YesNo
Youth Confirmation Registration (9th Grade and Above)
Confirmation is the Christian rite of passage in which a baptized person makes a public affirmation of their faith in Christ and commitment to follow Christ’s way of life. For young people, Confirmation also is a step across a primary threshold between childhood and early adulthood. The young person claims responsibility for the vows made to God on their behalf at Baptism by their parents and godparents.

At St. Stephen's Church, the Rite of Confirmation is available to students in 9th grade and above. Preparation includes six classes; each student can miss one session. Classes meet in person each month from October through March, ending in a required Confirmation retreat on May 2, 2026. Each session focuses on the assigned chapter from My Faith, My Life by Jenifer Gamber. Each student needs a copy of the book, which is available from many online booksellers.

Youth and parents must attend at least one of the information sessions in September. Each student must meet with a mentor of their choosing at least once each month. Students are also required to participate in at least one church ministry. These ministries include, but are not limited to, serve as an acolyte, adult usher, Sunday supper volunteer, youth reader, or farmers market volunteer.

Please click here to visit our Confirmation page.
I'm registering my youth for Confirmation during the 2025-26 school year
Please indicate which information session you will attend.
Liturgical Youth Ministries
On Sunday mornings, youth participate in worship through three different ministries.

Middle school students serve as youth ushers in teams at the 9:00 a.m. service alongside parent usher captains. They greet people at the door with bulletins and collect and present the offering. Their teams serve every month, although youth have the option to serve more frequently by subbing for others.

High school students serve as acolytes at both the 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. services. They serve on teams of 6-8 youth, led by older acolyte “warden” or team captain. Acolytes serve as crucifers, torch bearers, gospel bearers, etc., and assist in serving Communion.

Youth in all grades can serve as readers at the 9:00 a.m. service.
Training is required for acolytes and youth ushers, irrespective of prior experience. Visit our Youth Ministries webpage for information about these ministries, expectations, and responsibilities.

About scheduling: unless you instruct us otherwise, we group siblings together on ministry teams and to the extent possible, coordinate sibling schedules between youth ushers and acolytes. We also attempt to schedule friends together, so we welcome requests in the form below, acknowledging that we may not be able to enact them. Acolyte and usher schedule reminders and substitutions are administered through Minsitry Scheduler Pro (MSP), which St. Stephen's uses to manage all liturgical roles. Note: the primary parent/guardian email(s) is included in all MSP communications; see the field below for adding additional email contacts.
Select your youth’s ministry(ies)

Youth Reader (6th-12th)Youth Usher (6th-8th)Acolyte (9th-12th)
Select your training date. Participation in one training is required before service.
MINISTRY SCHEDULER PRO: We use a system to manage reminders and substitutes called Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP). For acolytes, we include BOTH the youth and primary parent email in communications. IF an additional parent email should be included in MSP, please list it below. For youth ushers, we use only include the primary parent contact, but if an additional email address should be included for a youth usher, please list it here as well:
Additional MSP Email
example@example.com
What are the names of sibling(s), family, or friend(s) who you wish your registrant to serve alongside on their ministry team? We will try to honor your requests but cannot always do so.
Requests

Youth Parent Volunteers

We are so grateful for all the programming we're able to offer thanks to active parent support. There are a variety of ways to give your time and talent to family ministry.
Please affirm below if we may contact you about specific ways to support the ministry.

I am interested in serving as a parent leader to support my youth usher team.I am interested in chaperoning youth events.I am interested in driving the church van during youth events.I am interested in helping when needed.

Additional Information

Final question! Is there other important information you would like us to have about your family that is not covered elsewhere in this form? If so, please share below or feel free to directly contact a member of the family ministry team.

Multiple Children/Youth?

When you click SUBMIT below, there is a button to register another child/youth. If you click that, the parent information you entered will carry forward. We hope this is helpful! You will receive an autogenerated email confirming your form submission.
Should be Empty:

About this form:

Many Parents, One Vine

Parent/Guardian Consent

Child/Youth Information

Children's Ministries

Children's Formation: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3-12)

Deepening Grace: Sacraments for Children and Parents (1st - 3rd grade)

4th, 5th, and 6th Grade

Palmer Hall Ministries Registration (children and parents)

Music

St. Stephen's Choristers, 1st - 7th grades

Youth, 6th-12th grades

Youth Group

Sunday Circle-Sunday Morning Gathering

Youth Confirmation Registration (9th Grade and Above)

Liturgical Youth Ministries

Youth Parent Volunteers

Additional Information

Multiple Children/Youth?