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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
Summer Offerings
Sundays in Summer — 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 Redwood Chapel 9:50–10:30 am. Children rejoin their parents for Eucharist during our second service.
VBS 2026: Rainforest Falls
June 22–25
9:00 am–noon
Trinity welcomes you to a fantastic 4-day summer experience for children ages three through rising 6th 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 is Rainforest Falls: Exploring the Nature of God.
We currently have a waiting list. Email nanette@trinityasheville.org if you'd like to be added.
Sunday Morning Children's Formation
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!
Godly Play 9:30–10:30 am
Click the image above to learn more about Godly Play.
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 our faith continues their growth towards a more meaningful and appropriate participation in the 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.
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 — 9:30 (9:00 in the summer) to the end of the second service
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.
Fellowship, Fun, & Formation
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.
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.
Cherub Choir
During the school year, 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.
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.
Youth and Adult Formation
At Trinity, faith formation continues long after fifth grade. We also offer vibrant programs for youth and rich formation opportunities for adults. Explore what’s available for every stage of the journey below:
Volunteering
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. We promise, you’ll learn and grow, too. Whether you’re ready to jump in or you’d like more information, click on the link below!
Safe church
At Trinity, the safety and well-being of every child is a sacred trust and one of our highest priorities. We follow the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina’s Safe Church guidelines, including required training for all clergy, staff, and volunteers who work with children and youth.
Safe Church training helps our leaders recognize signs of abuse, understand power dynamics, and learn best practices for creating a safe, nurturing environment for all children in our care. We joyfully comply with these standards so that families can feel confident that Trinity is a place of trust, protection, and welcome.
To learn more about our Safe Church practices and the specific policies that guide our ministry with children, please click here to read more.
Photo & Video Safety and Opt‑Out
Photo Video Safety and Opt Out
Photography and Videography Policy for Minors (Opt-Out)
Trinity Episcopal Church (“Trinity”) may photograph and video record children and youth participating in worship, formation, and parish events for ministry communication purposes, including but not limited to:
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printed materials (brochures, posters, newsletters)
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the parish website and social media accounts
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live‑streamed or recorded worship and events
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in‑house slideshows or displays
Trinity is committed to safeguarding the privacy and dignity of children and youth in our care. To support this:
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Children’s full names will not be used in public posts or publications without specific written permission from a parent or legal guardian.
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Images used will be respectful and appropriate to a church setting.
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Efforts will be made to avoid identifying sensitive information (such as school name, contact information, or exact home location).
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Parents/guardians may opt out of having their child’s image used in Trinity communications by completing the Media Opt‑Out Form and returning it to the Parish Office.
If a parent/guardian has submitted an opt‑out form, Trinity will make reasonable efforts to avoid capturing or using images of that child in identifiable ways (for example, by seating guidance, directing photographers, or editing images when practical).
Parents/guardians may withdraw or change their preferences at any time by contacting the Parish Office in writing and/or by submitting an updated Media Opt‑Out Form. Upon request, Trinity will make reasonable efforts to remove previously published images, though complete removal from all platforms cannot be guaranteed.
If you do NOT want your child’s image used in Trinity communications, please complete a Media Opt‑Out Form below. The parish office will receive a notification.
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