Milestones at All Saints'

Many of us are confident that our friends and family love us, but often we wait for a reason to express how we feel.  Our relationship with God can sometimes feel the same.  

Milestones at All Saints' provides markers along life's journey that say, "This is something important, and God is here, too." It is a reminder to practice gratitude in all things and is a faith formation practice for both home and church that helps all generations recognize God’s presence in everyday life. ​

How the Program Works

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Below we have identified and listed significant milestones in the course of a child's faith journey at All Saints'.  Many of them are related to their participation in the life of the church, but others are more developmental in nature, such as being potty trained or graduating high school.

For a child's first milestone celebration they will receive a blessing bowl. and as they progress in our program, they will receive an actual prayer stone for each of the milestones they complete.  Additionally, some of the milestones will also come with another gift or symbol, such as the receiving of a Bible in the 4th grade or a prayer book at the end of 7th grade.

We strive for an atmosphere of inclusion, and we recognize that not all of our children and youth will necessarily participate in all of the prescribed milestones for myriad reasons.  In light of this, our leaders and staff are prepared to accommodate our young people with flexibility, grace, and pastoral sensitivity as we strive to equip them and their families to celebrate God's presence in all things. 
Infants and Toddlers
Celebration of Birth and/or Adoption
Baptism

Age 3
Potty Training

Pre-K
Learn the Lord's Prayer
Can Begin Choir

Kindergarten
Moving up to Children's Ministry

1st Grade
Communion Exploration Class

2nd Grade
Serving Leadership Role in Children's Worship

3rd Grade
Moving up to Connect and Club 45 (Pre-Youth Group)

4th Grade
Receiving and Blessing of the Bibles

​5th Grade
​Moving up to Youth Ministry
6th Grade: "New Wineskins"
Welcome to Youth Group Ceremony
Serving as an Acolyte

7th Grade: Temple Year
Confirmation Enrollment Service and Receiving Prayer Book at End of Year

8th Grade: Wilderness Year
Confirmation Year and Wilderness Retreat

9th Grade:  City Year
Urban Adventure Weekend

10th Grade:  Pilgrim Year
Summer Pilgrimage

11th Grade:  Servant Year
Blessing of the Keys and Keychains

12th Grade:  Discernment Year
Senior Blessing and Sendoff
Milestones is part of a broader movement across the church.  Learn more about Milestones Ministries here. 

A Word on Sacraments:  Baptism and Communion

The chief "milestones" instituted by Jesus are the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist (also known as Holy Communion, the Mass, and the Lord's Supper).  In the Episcopal Church, we practice infant baptism as a sign of God's love for us even before we can respond.  Likewise, we welcome all children' to participate in the bread and wine of communion, a sign of Christ's body and blood.  To learn more, visit our sacraments page here.