Asheville, North Carolina
EXPLORE FAITH. EMBRACE COMMUNITY. MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
60 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801 | info@trinityasheville.org | Tel: 828-253-9361
Children's Education & Formation 2025–2026
Children and Families at Trinity
We're Glad You're Here!
Whether you are new to our community or Trinity has been your church home for many years, we are so glad you are here! Our Children and Family Ministry joyfully serves children from birth through fifth grade, along with their families. Together, we nurture faith, build friendships, and walk alongside one another as we grow in God’s love. All are welcome, no exceptions!
My name is Nanette Popa, and I have the joy of serving as Director of Children and Family Ministries here at Trinity. I am passionate about creating spaces where children feel safe, known, and deeply loved, and where families are supported and encouraged on their journey of faith. Children are full and participating members of our congregation and are treated as such! Our dedicated team of volunteers makes all of this possible. Every volunteer has completed Safe Church Training, ensuring that children are cared for in a safe, nurturing, and welcoming environment.
Here at Trinity, we offer nursery care for our youngest children, Godly Play for preschoolers through fifth grade, and a variety of seasonal celebrations, service opportunities, and family gatherings. Each of these experiences is designed to invite children into the wonder of God’s story while helping them find their place within it.
Whether your little one is taking their first steps into the nursery or your family has been part of Trinity for years, know that you are welcome here. I look forward to meeting you and walking alongside your family in faith.
Read below to explore all that we offer for children and families at Trinity. Please don't hesitate to reach out to say hello, offer a hand, or ask any questions you may have!
With joy and gratitude,
Nanette Popa
Director of Children and Family Ministries
Trinity Episcopal Church
📧 nanette@trinityasheville.org | 📞 (828) 253-9361 ext. 234
Sunday Morning Children's Formation:
Godly Play 9:30–10:30 am
One of the central components of our Sunday morning children's formation is our Godly Play classes. Godly Play was developed by the late Rev. Jerome Berryman in 1984 and has been successfully used here at Trinity for over 20 years. Rooted in the Montessori tradition, Godly Play invites children to explore Bible stories through wonder, play, and imagination. Our trained volunteer mentors present a story and lead the response time. It creates space for children to connect with God in their own way and at their own pace, and it’s often just as meaningful for the adults in the room as it is for the children!
We offer three Godly Play classrooms for children from potty-trained three-year-olds through 5th grade:
Godly Play 1
Three-year-olds through pre-kindergarten use the Godly Play curriculum to explore the stories of our faith through three-dimensional materials and creative response time. Through this curriculum, children become familiar with liturgy and a way to make meaning of religious language.
Godly Play 2
Kindergarten through second grade: extends the depth and scope of the stories of our faith. A deeper understanding of the stories, symbols, and rites of their faith continues their growth towards a more meaningful and appropriate participation in congregational worship.
Rite In The Middle
Rite in the Middle- 3rd through 5th grades. This class continues with Godly Play, exploring more of the enrichment and extension lessons, as well as the core stories. Deeper theological reflections and connections are made with this age group. Response time encourages journaling, working with various art mediums, group projects, and continued work with the stories themselves.
Volunteer
We’re always looking to expand our team of volunteer teachers, who we call Mentors. Within that, there are two roles: storytellers and door persons, who help make this ministry possible! You don’t need teaching experience or a theology degree, and training is provided. We’ll walk with you every step of the way. I promise, you’ll learn and grow, too. Whether you’re ready to jump in or you’d like more information, I’d love to talk with you! Just send me an email (nanette@trinityasheville.org) or find me on Sunday; I’d love to hear from you.
Other Sunday Morning Offerings
Children's Hour (Sundays at 10:30 am)
A time for our younger children to gather for a snack and worship starts at 10:30 am. This hour is designed for potty-trained three-year-olds through second grade (generally Godly Play 1 and 2). During worship time, biblical stories support the liturgical year and age-appropriate prayers, songs, and movement create a special worship experience for children. The children join parents in church after the Peace (around 11:30). Children's Hour starts in the Undercroft for snacks, and then we move to the Redwood Chapel for worship.
Nursery
The nursery is open throughout the year and serves ages 0–3 (who are not potty trained). The nursery opens on Sundays at 9:30 am and remains open throughout the morning until all children are picked up after the last service, roughly noon during the school year and 11:00 during the summer. We have a highly qualified staff of two. All keep up-to-date safety certifications. Location: 2nd door to your right in the hallway to Tuton Hall.
Everybody Upstairs Sunday
Several times throughout the year we will have an “Everybody Upstairs” Sunday, where all ages worship together at the 10:45 service, with a Godly Play lesson as the sermon for the day! We take this opportunity to involve children and the entire congregation in the telling of one of our Godly Play stories in an interactive, “large” way! Our children also serve as acolytes, readers, and ushers, and the Cherub Choir provides music.
2025:
October 26
Other Fellowship, Fun, and Formation for Families
4 for Families
Families with children, elementary school-aged and younger, gather once a season — fall, winter, spring, and summer — for recreational time together. Our mission is to build fellowship among families with younger children and to foster a sense of community with folks in our parish. Be on the lookout for 4 FOR FAMILIES events in the coming year! This past year included the All Saints' Dinner, Lookout Observatory, Winchester Creek Farm, and Movie Night
Club 345
Club 345 is a Junior Youth Group for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders that meets once a month after church for fun, fellowship, and outreach to the community. Past events include: Tropical Mini Golf, Haunted Trail, Transformation Village, ACT musicals Elf & Matilda, Snow Tubing, Well Played Board Games, and Fake Sleepover.
Vacation Bible School
Summer 2026 dates:
June 22–25
9:00 am–noon
Trinity and two other area churches join to create a fantastic 4-day summer experience for children ages three through rising 6 graders. Each summer we focus on a particular theme through Bible stories (told the Godly Play way!) and explore the stories through crafts, science, song, yoga, snacks, games and more. Our last day of VBS is a water play day! This year's theme TBD.
Choirs for Children (Wednesdays)
The Cherub Choir is open to children 5 years old–3rd grade and teaches the basics of note reading, singing technique, and counting, along with fun activities every week. The Cherubs sing periodically at 10:45 worship throughout the program year, including on Everybody Upstairs Sundays and the 3:00 pm Christmas Eve service. The Cherub Choir is co-directed by Dr. Kevin Seal, Director of Music, and Nanette Popa, Director of Children's Ministries. The choir meets on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 to 5:30 pm.
The Youth Choir is open to youth in 4th–12th grades. 3rd graders may participate with the director's approval. The choir, Trinity's newest, focuses on teaching our youth excellence in choral singing through performance of a wide-ranging repertoire using resources including the Royal School of Church Music curriculum. The choir sings periodically at 10:45 worship throughout the program year, including leading worship at the 3:00 pm Christmas service and on our annual Youth Sunday. The Youth Choir is directed by Dr. Kevin Seal, Director of Music. The choir is currently on hiatus.
Celebrating the Church Year
All Saints' Dinner
Sunday, November 2, Tuton Hall
We celebrate All Saints Sunday with a special dinner, a focus on saints of the church, and a candlelight reading of the names of those interred in the Memorial Garden here at Trinity. Reservations are needed and will be available online on our website. Free, but reservations are required.
Come to the Table
Learning about Holy Communion
This class is an engaging, age-appropriate program that involves children in the meaning of the Holy Eucharist. It educates them about the sacrament for those already receiving it and prepares others to receive communion by giving them practical instruction at the altar rail. Godly Play 2 (Grades K–2) and Rite in the Middle (Grades 3–5) will have two sessions with clergy, concluded by receiving communion together at the 10:45 service. We hope all children will join in as we help deepen their experience of the Eucharist. Dates TBD.
Summer Sundays
Come Join the Circle
This program takes place each summer in lieu of our regular Godly Play classes. It is open to a wide age range: 3 year olds (that are fully potty-trained) through 5th grade. Each summer has a different theme that we explore in unique ways, culminating in a little outdoor time and some cool treats! We meet in the Undercroft 9:50–10:30 am.
Annual Advent Wreath Making and Family Project
Each year, on the first Sunday in Advent, we host a family wreath making project. It comes with a devotional booklet to use at home with your wreath and other ways to reflect on the season.
Children’s Christmas Pageant
Each Christmas Eve we hold a Godly Play-inspired Christmas Pageant as one of our main services of the evening. All children are welcome to participate. There is a space for everyone, including visiting grandchildren and other family members. The service concludes with the eucharist, and much loved carols of Christmas are sung by all.
Lenten Family Project
Each year we offer a special take-home Lenten project/devotional for families.
Maundy Thursday Family Footwashing Service
TBD.
Easter Egg Hunt and Flower Cross
On Easter Sunday, we host a joyful celebration that includes an egg hunt. The egg hunt takes place between the 9:00 am service and the 11:00 am service. Whether you have just attended the 9:00 am service or are about to attend the 11:00 am service, come to the chapel courtyard at 10:30 am for this joy-filled time. Also, we always welcome you to bring some flowers on Easter morning to add to our Flower Cross.
