St. Mark’s Children

At St. Mark’s, the presence of children is treated as a gift to be cherished. We desire for all children to be safe, to be loved, and to play their way into relationship with God.

New to St. Mark’s and curious what opportunities we have for your children? Read the info below and let us know if you have any questions. We look forward to getting to know your family.

Filling out the 2026-27 Registration Form is the first step for families ready to get involved and participate in our programming this year.


2026-2027 Registration Form

Sundays with St. Mark’s Children

Holy Eucharist – 9:00 AM

Our 9:00 service is designed to be family-friendly and accessible to young children, though you will meet people from all stages of life in attendance. Kids serve right alongside adults: a seven year-old might hand you a bulletin at the door, a four year-old might pass you the offering plate. The liturgy is simpler and usually lasts just under an hour, in time for kids to race out to the Parish Hall to be first in line for breakfast tacos and lemonade.

During the 9:00 service, children are invited to follow the cross to Children’s Chapel, just down the hallway in Grace Chapel. This short program includes simple prayers and an age-appropriate, Bible-based story. Children are brought back into the church after the sermon concludes.

Formation Classes – 10:00 to 11:00 AM

The sound of the bell ringing across the playground signals the start of formation classes! Parents accompany their children to line up at their classroom doors, where you will be greeted by an adult volunteer who guides you through the check-in process.

Each of our classes follows the Godly Play method, which is a Montessori-inspired approach to Christian spiritual formation for children. Sessions include a time of gathering in a circle, listening to a story, wondering together, engaging in self-directed free response time, and finally, re-gathering for a feast. In addition to hearing Bible stories, children also learn about the worship and traditions of the Church. Things look a little different in each room, contextualized for the age group, but the foundation is the same. All in all, we know of no better way to prepare children for lifelong faith lived out in community.

Come grow with us! Classes start September 13th. Register now.

  • Acorns Class (3’s – Kindergarten) – Planting seeds by introducing young children to the core Godly Play stories and rhythms.

  • Saplings Class (1st – 3rd grade) – Putting down roots with more advanced stories and response activities.

  • Live Oaks Class (4th & 5th grade) – Spreading our branches wide to reach further into the pages of scripture and the goodness of community.

Nursery Care – 8:45 AM to 12:30 PM

Open to crawling babies through 3 year-olds, our nursery is a magical place where Tonka trucks and Goldfish snacks abound. Ms. Mayra and our fantastic staff provide a safe, caring environment for all. Head to the Day School wing for drop off, and don’t forget the labeled diaper bag and water bottle. Register for the nursery.

Seasonal Events

Our seasonal events are often the highlights of the year, not just for our families but for the entire parish community. They include:

  • Blessing of the Backpacks

  • Advent Wreath-making

  • Feast of Saint Nicholas

  • Christmas Eve Pageant

  • Shrove Tuesday Pancake Races

  • Burying the Alleluia’s

  • Easter Egg Hunt

  • VBS: Summer Splash!

The St. Mark’s Choristers

The St. Mark’s Choristers are a group of children who enjoy singing, learning about music and worship, playing games, and having lots of fun! By participating in Choristers, children not only develop their musical skills, but they also strengthen their faith by joining a community and building friendships within the church. Choristers is for elementary school children in grades K and up. We practice each Wednesday night from 6:00 to 6:45 PM. We sing at the 9:00 AM worship service about once a month during the school year. We’ll also sing for the Festival of Lessons and Carols, the Christmas Eve Pageant Service, Palm Sunday, and other special events.Come sing with us! Rehearsals start September 2nd. Contact Mark Reed, Director of Music, to learn more: mark@stmarksaustin.org.

All staff and volunteers working with children have been screened, trained, and qualified through Safeguarding God’s Children, which is administered by the Diocese of Texas.