From Monday, July 11 to Friday, July 15, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Madison is hosting its first Arts Camp for rising Kindergarteners through 5th graders, headed by St. Andrew’s Music Director Grant Underwood.

The church plans to hold the camp annually, and any child of any faith entering Kindergarten through 5th grade is welcome. The camp will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church at 232 Durham Road, and the cost is $175 for the week for campers, $150 for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who wish to be junior counselors, and $25 for senior counselors about to enter 9th through 12th grades.

Activities include paper sculptures, pasta painting, paper lanterns, canvas projects, dance, tie dye shirts, and games. The group will also tour the Yale Center for British Art.

Grant has been at St. Andrew’s Madison since fall 2012 and says of the camp, “Although it’s at St. Andrew’s, it’s intentionally interfaith and it’s a time when kids are able to paint, play, and spiritually connect in song, art, and fellowship. We’re even planning a trip for kids to visit and paint at an art studio.”

Grant graduated from Ohio State in 2009 with a bachelor of arts degree in music and Yale Divinity School in 2015 with a master of divinity degree.

He says, “My favorite part of my job is the people. Arguably now more than ever, there is too much isolation and loneliness in our world and the way that people at St. Andrew’s come together to love, laugh, and support each other in our worship community is a tremendous and sacred gift. I’m blessed to be a part of it.”

St. Andrew’s has plenty of special events, Grant says.

“We sing concerts, are fortunate to collaborate with other parishes in the area, and for the past few years, we’ve had two cabarets each year—one for adults, and one for kids. I get a real kick out of our youth. Not only are they talented, but more importantly, they’re funny, and very hardworking. I’m continually amazed at how much concentration the kids show at Youth Choir rehearsals.”

Grant finds satisfaction in working with adults as well.

“One of my favorite times in my work is on Thursday nights, when the adult choir rehearses,” he says. “Being in a rhythm of gathering every week with people I know and trust to be able to chase a particular musical, aesthetic vision for worship—there’s nothing better.”

And naturally, as anyone who loves working at a church, another favorite time is Sunday mornings.

Grant says, “There’s something really special about the spiritual rhythm of worship, and being able to follow the Christian lectionary and hear the good news proclaimed each week. Choir rehearsals before the service are also fun; not too soon after we wake up for the day, we are able to laugh, pray, and sing together.”

Grant grew up Presbyterian, and only sang hymns.

“Being at St. Andrew’s has really taught me the beauty of sung liturgies—the Sanctus, the Fraction Anthem, the Gloria—that provide a sense of constancy from week to week.”

Grant adds, “There is research that shows that singing in harmony together is good for our health, and I’m not at all surprised to hear that. There’s something truly magical about it.”

Even the tough parts of his job have a positive twist.

“The most challenging part of my work is capacity,” Grant says. “We have so many great thinkers and great ideas brewing at any moment, that it can be hard to fit them all in at one time, and with parishioners’ busy schedules, it can be easy to spread ourselves too thin. Together, we’ve realized this, and seek to prioritize what matters most at any one time in the parish’s season.”

Visit www.standrewsmadison.org to learn more and to register for the arts camp.

Grant welcomes emails at grant@standrewsmadison.org.