Our church fellowship includes a number of families with children. The inclusion of children in worship is of great importance to children, their families, and the community of faith. Children are important and are welcomed as members of our worshiping community.

We encourage families to bring their children of all ages to worship.

We provide an open area in the balcony of the church, for infants, toddlers and preschooler's to use.

We provide coloring pages and crayons on a table in the narthex (entryway).

We model appropriate worship behavior for children by teaching them to stand, sit, sing or hold hands with the congregation.

We encourage parents to take their children to the narthex, nursing/cry room, or outside for a break whenever needed.

An effective teaching method is to gradually lengthen the time a child remains in church. Children can usually be expected to participate in an entire service in an orderly manner by the time they enter second grade.

Remember to try and make your time at church positive and uplifting for your child(ren), so that they look forward to coming to church.

Adults sometimes question the wisdom of including preschool children in worship. It is true that children sometimes distract those around them and distress parents by their behavior. But as members of God's family, they complete the circle in worship and at God's table. We have also learned the lasting blessings to the spiritual growth of children into adulthood that results from regular worship with their families, beginning in infancy.

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The Preschool child comes to worship with:

• a short attention span

• seemingly endless energy

• a growing curiosity about everything

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While these attributes can combine to test the patience of adults, there are several ways parents can help the preschooler's experience - and everyone's - to be more relaxed and enjoyable.

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A sensitivity to the preschooler's abilities and needs can help make worship a spiritually fruitful and pleasant experience for everyone. Here are some ideas for you!

• Sit in the balcony where the child has extra room and can have a clear view of the sanctuary.

• Prepare your child for the different parts of the worship service by explaining special events ahead of time and answering questions that need an answer "right now" in a whisper.

• Allow the preschooler to bring along a favorite stuffed animal, coloring book or other quiet toys to play with when they need a different activity. Make use of what is provided by the church.

• Allow children to stand up and move around, encouraging whispering.

• Use the quiet times during worship as a chance for special togetherness for parents and children.

The school-aged child brings some new abilities to worship:

• A greater capacity for attentive listening;

• An increasing ability to read;

• A growing ability to organize and memorize information.

Here are some ideas for parents and grandparents to help your child toward greater participation in worship. The above skills will develop even more when they:

• Are helped to memorize the Lord's Prayer and other parts of the liturgy (worship service).

• Review the order of worship with the one who brings them to church.

• Help them to identify new or difficult words and preview together those parts where the congregation responds by reading, speaking or singing.

• Are invited to follow the liturgy in the order of worship (bulletin).

• Notice hymns and go over the words and meanings.

• Are encouraged to listen to the sermon for stories, answers to questions or important thoughts.

• Talk about the service and sermon. Ask the child what he or she remembers best about it.