Holy Week at St. Stephen’s: With the Children in Mind

Holy Week services—from Palm Sunday (March 24) through Easter Sunday (March 31)—are traditionally very grown-up church events. This year at St. Stephen’s Episcopal in Ridgefield children will be part of the Holy Week story for the first time, with age-appropriate rituals and activities designed just for them.  Under the leadership of Sue Vogelman (pictured), Associate for Youth & Family Ministry, St. Stephen’s taps into children’s inner spirituality. “Kids are naturally spiritual, and we take that seriously—but with fun,” according to Sue. “For instance, we use the word ‘wonder’ a lot, as in ‘I wonder where you might fit into the story?’”                                                           

Carrying extra-fluffy palms, children will join the Palm Sunday procession from North Hall, up Main Street and into the church. They will go into the church first and place their palms on the floor, replicating the triumphal arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem. Younger children then go to their Storytime space and return to the sanctuary at the exchange of the Peace to be with family. Throughout Holy Week they will have “take homes” from church that they can share with family members.          

St. Stephen’s will have a Good Friday Children’s Service at 10 a.m. on March 29 for ages 4 and up (plus a parent or guardian). It will involve moving around the sanctuary and doing activities to experience Holy Week events, from Palm Sunday and the Last Supper to entering the darkness of the tomb.  “Kids know death exists,” Sue said. “This can be a hard topic for parents, but we will navigate it together as part of life’s journey and with an emphasis on compassion.” The service will end with a “whisper” of Easter, as the children sing songs with Derrick Goff, Minister of Music.  

At 10:30 a.m. Easter Sunday—between the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services—there will be an Easter egg hunt for children in fifth grade and below. The eggs will be filled with religious-themed toys (no candy). Sue Vogelman likens it to a “gentle scavenger hunt,” with each child searching for one of every kind of egg. She adds, “All are welcome to St. Stephen’s, whatever your age!"