Family Ministry
Faith, Friends & Fun
Family Ministry at St. Philip
(Ages 0–Grade 5 + Parents/Guardians)
At St. Philip, families grow in faith together! Our Family Ministry is designed for parents, guardians, and kids (infants through 5th grade) to connect, recharge, and share life in community.
We know parenting today can feel lonely and overwhelming—that’s why this ministry focuses on supporting parents while giving kids a safe, fun place to learn and play. Together, we model faith, encourage healthy development, and remind families that they are not alone on the journey.
We gather twice a month on Sunday afternoons (3:30–5:30 PM) and typically enjoy:
Caring conversations as a large group
Kid-centered learning and activities
Crafts, games, and free play for the kids
Honest discussions for adults (podcast or video-based)
A shared meal prepared with love by volunteers
Come laugh, learn, and grow with us—you’ll leave fed in body, spirit, and heart.
Upcoming Children & Family Events
(Next 6 Weeks)
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We travel to Salisbury, NC for a day full of fun, faith, and new friends as we meet up with children from across the state for this NC Synod sponsored event! Registration is closed for this event.
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Everyone regardless of age is invited to Camp Agape’ (our local Lutheran Camp) for…
A Delightful Evening of Fun, Fellowship, and FoodJoin us as we celebrate our Agapé † Kure Beach Community from 3-8 pm! Experience a few hours of camp life at Agapé, filled with exciting activities led by our summer staff.
Activities Include:
Ziplining
Canoeing
Singalongs
Crafts
And much more!
Following the fun, enjoy some time to socialize with some cold Octoberfest-themed beverages and appetizers before sharing a special meal together. We’ll conclude the evening with a classic Agapé campfire, where s’mores await!
For more information, contact Kai Thurow -
Families with kids (ages 0–grade 5), join us for a time to gather, connect, and grow in faith together. From 3:30-5:30pm, each session includes activities for kids and parents, space for community, and ends with a simple dinner we share as one big family.
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Join us for our Annual Trunk-or-Treat in our parking lot from 3:00-4:30 pm. Come dressed up in your favorite halloween costume and go trunk to trunk for candy and prizes.
We will also have an Apple Cider & Cookie table alongside some simple yard games available for everyone to partake in!
Join us for some fun!
If you are interested in providing a decorated trunk, please go to this Sign-Up Genius or contact Kai Thurow -
Families with kids (ages 0–grade 5), join us for a time to gather, connect, and grow in faith together. From 3:30-5:30pm, each session includes activities for kids and parents, space for community, and ends with a simple dinner we share as one big family.
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Families with kids (ages 0–grade 5), join us for a time to gather, connect, and grow in faith together. From 3:30-5:30pm, each session includes activities for kids and parents, space for community, and ends with a simple dinner we share as one big family.
Annual Events, Retreats, & Trips
Including but not limited to a service day called “God’s Work, Our Hands” Day. A Community Trunk-or-Treat. A week of “Agape’ Day Camp” each summer. A day-long trip to “YouthQuake” in the fall hosted by the NC Synod (grades 3-5). A “Building Youth Groups” (BYG) Retreat at Camp Agape’ in the spring (grades 3-5). And more!
Children in Worship
At St. Philip, we believe that children are a vital part of our worship experience and are welcome and encouraged to participate in all aspects of worship – wiggles, giggles, and all!
We know that there are many other places that you and your children can be on a Sunday morning. We also know that worship can sometimes become stressful for parents and caregivers. Our hope is that every adult with children feels welcomed in this space. You belong here and we want you and your children to be spiritually fed here. Raising children in faith can be difficult and we don’t want you to feel alone.
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PrayGrounds
Our PrayGrounds are located toward the front of our worship spaces. This area is designed for young children to quietly engage in age-appropriate activities while experiencing worship in our worship spaces along with their families. The PrayGrounds is intended especially for families with infants and toddlers, recognizing that small kids are often more engaged when they can see what’s going on. Small tables and chairs, baby bouncers and seats, and soft toys help to keep our littlest ones occupied.
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Children's Message
Each Sunday, kids (typically 5th grade and under) are invited up front for a special time to engage with the scripture story of the day, which is just for them! Through laughter, curiosity, and simple storytelling, they get to explore the day’s Bible story in ways that make sense for growing hearts and curious minds—reminding them that God’s story includes them and that worship is a place where they truly belong.
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Young Worshipper Toolkits
When kids arrive for worship, they can grab a bright green cinch bag filled with fun tools and activities designed just for them. Each item helps children connect with different parts of the service—or simply gives their busy hands something to enjoy—so they feel included, engaged, and at home in worship.
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Kid’s Corner
We know that sometimes kids need a change of space – spending an hour in the same pew/chair is a LONG time to be in one spot. When that happens, we have a special room that you can check out together. As you walk out of our worship spaces you can follow the turquoise footprints to our Kid’s Corner which is geared toward ages 0-4. In this room you will find a live stream of the worship service. Parents or Caregivers are asked to be present in our Kid’s Corner with your children.
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Serving in Worship
We encourage our children to be involved in every aspect of our worship services. They can serve in volunteer roles, help lead the service, or participate as best they can in the pews or at home virtually. They are welcome wiggles, giggles, and all!
Contact Us
Got questions? Want to learn more or get connected with Kai, our Outreach and Youth Ministries Coordinator? Fill out the form below!