January 2021 update: All faith formation at St. Tim's has gone online for the foreseeable future. If you have questions about Mustard Seed or faith formation for elementary school-aged children, please contact Kristen Raaen at 763.784.1329 or kraaen@churchofsttimothy.com. We offer a variety of programs for the children of the parish. In addition to our faith formation programs described below, St. Tim's is currently offering a Kids' Book Club for children in grades 3-5, which you can read about on our Children's Activities page. Please click on the links below for more information or call Kristen Raaen at 763.784.1329.

• Early Catholic Family Life (ages 1 to 5)
• Mustard Seed (Sunday School) (ages 3 to 5)
• Elementary Classes (grades 1 to 5)
• At Home with Jesus (grades 1 to 5)
• Liturgy of the Word for Children (grades 1 to 5)

Early Catholic Family Life (ECFL)

ECFL is a parent-child program developed for children aged 1-5 through the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. This program was developed in 2000 and patterned after the highly successful Minnesota ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) program. There is no registration fee or other costs. While we cannot gather for in-person ECFL sessions currently, Kristen Raaen is providing ECFL content including age-approriate activities and reflections to all parents with children aged 1-5.

Mustard Seed 

"Mustard Seed" is the Sunday morning program for children ages 3 through Kindergarten. The program runs for 24 weeks with both virtual (Zoom) and in-person (with precautions) options. If you are interested in registering your child for 2020-2021 year, or have questions about if this program is right for your child, please contact the parish office soon. 

The Mustard Seed program has three age groups. 3 year olds are the "Seedlings," planted in the ground by God. The pre-Kindergartners are the "Sprouts," because they have sprouted from the ground after hearing God's word. And finally the "Blossoms," the Kindergartners, are ready to go out into the world and water the other seeds with their love of God. Drawn from Jesus' words in Matthew 17:20, the Mustard Seed program teaches children that no faith is too small and we grow in faith together.  

Each class session includes a Bible story, music, craft, and prayer. Mustard Seed children learn about their Church community and the Church year while making friends through talking and praying together. The class is taught by an adult volunteer who has undergone a background check, signed a code of conduct, and completed VIRTUS training, as required by the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth.  

Here is our 2020/2021 Mustard Seed schedule: 
September 20 – First Class
September 27   
October 4, 11, 25            
November 1, 8, 15, 22   
December 6, 13, 20
January 10, 17, 24, 31    
February 7, 21, 28          
March 7, 21, 28
April 5, 11
April 18 – Last Class

Elementary Faith Formation

St. Tim's offers two programs for elementary faith formation: Tuesday evening class and "At Home with Jesus." Parents can discern which program is the best fit for their family.

Our faith formation classes for children in grades 1 through 5 are offered on Tuesday evenings from 5:15 to 6:30, or 7:00 to 8:15. Families have two options: in-person (with modifications) and virtual (Zoom) for elementary faith formation. There are 21 sessions throughout the 2020-2021school year; scroll down for the class schedule.

Parents and other parishioners volunteer as teachers to help nurture and support the faith which has already begun in the home. Each adult volunteer must undergo a background check, sign a code of conduct, and complete VIRTUS training, as required by the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth. 

If the Tuesday evening classes do not work for your family's schedule, we invite to consider our At Home with Jesus program described below. 

Here is our 2020/2021 elementary faith formation schedule: 
September 22 - pick up supplies (online learners)
September 29 - first class
October 6
October 20
October 27
November 10
November 17
December 1
December 8
December 15
January 5
January 12
January 19
January 26
February 2
February 9
February 23
March 2
March 9
March 23
March 30 - last class

At Home With Jesus

 At Home With Jesus is an interactive program for families with children in grades 1 through 5. There are seven large group sessions offered virtually (via Zoom). The large groups sesions are held on Sunday evenings, beginning at 5:00. These large group sessions are a mandatory part of the program. 

At Home With Jesus Group Sessions 2020-2021
October 4           
November 1      
December 6
January 10         
March 7              
April 11
 

If the At Home with Jesus program does not work for your family, we invite you to consider our Tuesday evening elementary classes.

Liturgy of the Word for Children

Liturgy of the Word for Children is normally offered for children in grades 1-5 in the context of Sunday liturgy.  Due to Covid-19 adapations, we are not currently offereing Liturgy of the Word for Children. Check back here for updates to learn when this program will recommence.