At the Church of the Holy Apostles in Brooklyn, New York, the Revs. Kimberlee Auletta and Sarah Kooperkamp are reshaping how families connect with faith. Every Sunday, the duo channels the spirit of beloved children’s TV hosts with a puppet show that serves as a toddler-friendly worship experience. On Wednesdays, they lead a diverse after-school Christian education program, further engaging the young members of their community.
These programs have helped the church become a welcoming home for families in the Windsor Terrace neighborhood, providing a unique alternative to traditional Sunday services.
“We recognize that many kids today, not just in New York City, miss Sunday school due to other commitments like sports and extracurricular activities,” Auletta explained. “Instead of competing with these activities, we decided to offer church at a different time to meet children where they are, and give families a deep spiritual foundation.”
The after-school program was launched in the 2022-23 school year and caters to students in kindergarten through seventh grade. Currently, 11 students are enrolled. Unlike the drop-in Sunday school, which is part of the 10 a.m. worship service and includes eighth graders, the after-school program runs year-round with a small fee required.
Each Wednesday at 2:35 p.m., Kooperkamp walks from Holy Apostles to nearby schools to pick up the students. After a quick run in the church’s playground, the students settle into screen-free learning activities in the church.
“The kids are always so excited to see each other, and I love hearing about their day right after school,” Kooperkamp said. “It’s wonderful to watch them learn and grow together.”
The curriculum includes Bible study, prayer, Christian ethics, church history, and theology, with lessons taught through art, self-reflection, discussion, and theater. The program encourages children to ask questions, and no technology is used during sessions. One of the highlights last year was a March Madness-style bracket in which students voted for their “patron saint of the after-school program.” St. Frances Perkins, a workers’ rights advocate and the first woman to serve as a U.S. cabinet secretary, was the clear winner.
“The students recognized that St. Frances Perkins fought for child labor laws, which is why they’re able to be in school and at church today,” Kooperkamp explained. “This project is an example of how these kids are learning in an interactive and engaging way, moving beyond traditional Q&A or tests.”
The program follows a three-year curriculum cycle, but Auletta and Kooperkamp are already considering ways to involve older students in leadership roles once they complete the cycle.
While Kooperkamp works with the children, Auletta and a church volunteer prepare a community dinner for up to 36 people. At 5:15 p.m., the after-school program concludes, and families stay for the dinner served at 5:30 p.m. Children eat free, while adults pay $10 to cover the meal’s cost. After dinner, the community gathers for evening prayer.
“People need time together, and these weekly dinners and prayers bring different generations together,” Auletta said. “We have an 81-year-old parishioner who attends the Wednesday dinners, and the kids love spending time with her.”
Holy Apostles also caters to toddlers through its family-centered ministries. Every Sunday except for the fifth Sunday of the month, the church offers “This Little Light,” a 30-minute interactive worship service at 8:30 a.m. The service is designed to introduce toddlers to the basics of Episcopal liturgy, the Gospel, and the Eucharist through music and storytelling, making it easier for them to transition into the main worship service as they grow older.
Through these programs, Holy Apostles is not just a place of worship but a thriving, multi-generational community where faith, education, and connection are prioritized.
