Kids at Good Shepherd - Church of the Good Shepherd

A place for all God’s children

We love our kids!

At Good Shepherd, we strive to provide children and youth with opportunities to explore God’s love and learn about the Christian faith and how it can lead to a meaningful life. We refer to these opportunities as “Faith Formation.”

We are intentional, curious, and creative about community life, engaging with Scripture, and connecting with the world beyond our walls.

If you would like to stay updated about formation opportunities for children, please sign up for our weekly e-news or contact ben.blanchard@gsnorfolk.org.

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Click HERE for a recap of the amazing time had at Camp Imagine 2026.

Camp Imagine 2026

After an incredible two weeks of creativity, collaboration, and community, we are filled with gratitude as we acknowledge the many people and organizations who made this extraordinary experience possible.

Our heartfelt thanks go to UPAC (The Underground Performance and Arts Collective), The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, and Teens With A Purpose, for their invaluable partnership and support.

We are especially grateful to Ellen Selig, Food and Hospitality Coordinator, who kept our bellies full and our hearts happy; The Rev. Genevieve Nelson (aka papier mache princess), Keith Hope, our Chief Puppet Engineer, who kept the giraffes tall and proud, the elephants dancing, and the fish swimming through the air; and Kathy Nolen-Martin, Stage Manager, who kept the camp running smoothly without a single hiccup.

We also extend our sincere appreciation for the funding provided through the Seeds of Hope Grant, awarded by the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, and to the many volunteers, families, and supporters whose generosity, enthusiasm, and hard work made this experience unforgettable.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

We couldn’t have done it without you.

Ben

Worship for Kids

Children’s Chapel

Children are invited to participate in Children’s chapel each Sunday morning at the beginning of the 9:00 am service. We explore Bible stories through the lenses of creativity, art, drama and music. We have a big time!

How it works…

All children are invited to meet in the entrance area (narthex) prior to worship and participate in the processional.
Following the processional, children three and older are invited to Children’s Chapel where they will explore Bible stories through the lenses of creativity, art, drama, and music after which they will return to the service prior to communion.
For children who do not wish to go to Children’s Chapel, there is a wiggle-friendly section with quiet items to the right of the altar.

A nursery is available for children under the age of three from 8:30 to 10:30. Please ask one of the ushers if you need assistance finding the nursery.

If you would like to stay updated about formation opportunities for children, please sign up for our weekly e-news or contact ben.blanchard@gsnorfolk.org.

Safe Church

We Want Parents to Feel Secure

Church of the Good Shepherd is dedicated to safeguarding the most vulnerable in our congregation. Good Shepherd implements the teachings and principles of Safe Church, a national curriculum aimed at protecting children and the elderly from predatory behavior. Staff, Vestry, and key volunteers are required to receive Safe Church training to help them recognize the behavioral patterns of sexual perpetrators and to respond quickly to those signs and behaviors if they are observed. The goal of the program is to provide a safe environment for your children and to prevent potential abuse before it can happen. Training is renewed every three years. Staff, Vestry, and volunteers that work with children are all Safe Church certified. All staff are background checked. Good Shepherd is committed to the security of your children. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the church office at 757-423-3230 or office@gsnorfolk.org.