St. John’s Holding Open House This Weekend for New Childcare and Youth Center

Youth Center
St. John’s Lutheran Ministries (SJLM) is excited to announce the opening of its brand-new St. John’s Lutheran Childcare and Youth Center, an expansion of our mission to reach, teach, and share the love of Christ within our community. As part of our Triune Ministry—comprised of church, school, and childcare—the new Youth Center reflects our shared vision: a firm foundation in Christ, the highest quality education, and a desire to develop and utilize each person’s gifts to glorify their Lord and Savior while working in unity of purpose.
The SJLM Youth Center is designed to provide a safe, engaging, and Christ-centered environment for youth and families throughout the Mayville area. The Center will serve children ages six and up, offering a wide range of academic, social, and faith-based opportunities. In partnership with Mayville Open Door Inc, tutoring sessions will be available each week, with one-on-one sessions for grades K–2 on Mondays and Tuesdays and grades 3-4 on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-4:15 p.m. Appointments can be made by contacting Sam Menke, Mayville Open Door’s Program Coordinator, at sandes@mayvilleopendor.org or reaching out to the SJLM Community Outreach Director, Amber Schraufnagel at amber.schraufnagel@stjohnsmayville.com. Although the Center will be closed on Fridays, families can look forward to a full calendar of activities throughout the week and month and general hours of operation from 3:15-5:00 p.m. daily, Monday-Thursday.
In partnership with the SJLM Community Outreach Director, the Youth Center will host scheduled parenting and family workshops as well as bi-monthly community events that are open to all. Upcoming programs include “How to Foster Good Behavior in Littles (Elementary)” and “How to Foster Good Behavior in Pre-Teens and Teens (Middle School)” in January, “Healthy Technology Use (Elementary)” and “Technology and Social Media (Middle School)” in March, and “The Benefits of Family Routines” for all ages in May. Additional events, such as open puzzle nights, movie nights, gaming tournaments, and karaoke evenings, will bring families together for fellowship and fun. Program details and updates will be available online at stjohnsmayville.com/youthcenter.
The Center includes two large instructional and tutoring rooms, a spacious common area for fellowship and games, and a large viewing area perfect for presentations and movie nights. Parents will appreciate the Parent Resource Corner, which offers free access to book studies, family games, and helpful materials for all stages of parenting—from infancy through the teen years. The Center also features the Rooted Café, serving refreshments for purchase, and a mobile coffee cart operated by The Open Door Coffeehouse, our local non-profit coffeehouse dedicated to providing prevention, intervention, and restoration services for families and individuals through mentoring and partnerships.

Douglas Mageski serves as the SJLS Principal and Youth Director for SJLM Youth Ministry (Rooted Youth), which serves students in grades 5 and up, and Jennifer Thompson, the Parish of Education Chairperson, oversees the Christ-centered education of toddler children through 4th grade at St. John’s Lutheran Church. The SJLM Youth Ministry meets at the Youth Center for Bible study, fellowship, and worship every other Sunday from 4–5 p.m. More information, including ministry schedules and announcements, can be found at stjohnsmayville.com/youth. Rooted Youth is open to the public (grades 5+) and enjoys a full schedule from September-May that includes bi-weekly meetings, service projects, the WinterXtreme Youth Retreat January 9-11, and a lock-in on March 27.
Childcare Center
After nearly 30 years of serving local families, St. John’s childcare is celebrating a major milestone: the opening of a brand-new, purpose-built childcare center designed to meet the growing needs of our community. What began decades ago in two separate buildings has now been joyfully united under one roof—a blessing we thank the Lord for each day.
The new facility provides a warm, faith-focused environment for children ages six weeks to 12 years. Thoughtfully planned with the help of a dedicated design team, the building includes individual classrooms for infants, one-year-olds, two-year-olds, and three-year-olds, as well as a spacious before- and after-school room for older children. The center also features a large indoor motor-activity room, giving children a safe and fun space to move, play, and explore regardless of the weather, along with a secure outdoor play area that supports healthy physical development.
For years, the lack of available childcare in our area meant difficult conversations with parents, often having to place families on a year-long waiting list. It broke hearts each time parents were told they’d have to wait. The need in our community has been overwhelming. The new center dramatically expands capacity, offering new hope and new opportunities for families seeking quality, Christ-centered care.
We are grateful to now offer immediate openings in our one-year-old, two-year-old, three-year-old, and before-/after-school programs. A limited number of infant spots are also currently available. The center is open Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., providing flexible care for working families. Tours are welcome by appointment.
This new chapter is a testament to God’s provision and to the many hands and hearts who made the vision a reality. We look forward to continuing our mission of nurturing children in a safe, loving, and faith-filled environment for many years to come.
For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact the childcare center office at 920-644-2119 or email kristy.zahn@stjohnsmayville.com.
Open House
The St. John’s Lutheran Childcare and Youth Center stands as a joyful reminder that faith and community grow strongest when rooted together in Christ. We invite families across the Mayville area to join us as we celebrate this exciting new chapter in ministry—where every gift, every child, and every family matters, and where all are welcome to grow in faith, friendship, and purpose. On December 7, SJLM is excited to welcome the community to a celebratory dedication and open house taking place from 12:00-2:00 p.m. All are welcome for refreshments, tours, and Q&A with our ministry leaders, childcare director, and youth ministry director.