Children
The story is told that one morning, during the celebration of Holy Baptism, the children were gathered around the font. The priest, discussing the significance of Baptism, asked how we become members of the Church. One bright voice announced, “You just walk through the door.”
This was not, perhaps, the answer the priest was expecting, but it contains several truths including the plain fact that children need to be made welcome to walk through the door into worship.
By baptism, children are made members of Christ’s church. At that time, adults (parents, sponsors, and members of the congregation at large) promise to nurture our children in their faith. Christian nurture includes worship.
Turning from theology to practice, how do we nurture and include children in worship? Here are some hints adapted from the Lift Up Your Hearts Web site:
Everyone:
- Get to know children by name.
- Encourage children to join in a heartfelt “Amen!”
- If a child doesn’t have a good view of what’s going on, move quietly forward with the child to stand along an adjacent aisle or to take up a place in the front pew
- Children are always invited around the font during baptisms
- If small children want to walk up and down along a half empty pew, let them. (Older children may be encouraged to stay in their seats.)
- If you observe a family “on overload,” help them out and invite one their children to sit with you
- A smile of encouragement accomplishes more than all the “shushing” in the world
- Adults can set a good example of a wholesome, hearty attitude - kids are very perceptive about this
- Please make parents with children welcome (Note: No matter how it’s phrased, telling visitors “we have a nursery” before they have a chance to ask usually creates thoughts of leaving immediately.)
Parents, Godparents, and Grandparents:
- Allow your children to hold their own copies of the Prayer Book or service booklet from early on - even if it’s upside down
- Be sure that everyone has something for the offering
- Arrive in time so that you sit together as a family, where all can see
- Teach your children some of the liturgical responses and actions
Celebrant: The Lord be with youEncourage children to draw what they hear or experience at worship. There are both paper and crayons in the narthex for this. After worship, talk to your children about the service.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Celebrant and People: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Deacon: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Games, art, and music are important parts of our Sunday school lesson plans. St. Peter’s Sunday school lessons follow the church seasons to give children a foundation in the Bible and major holy days. Our plans for lessons are also shaped by the children themselves, so that we are covering the topics in which they have expressed interest.
Making the Scriptures come alive through tangible actions is another important goal of our program. For example, in the past when we have covered the Gospel miracle of Jesus feeding the multitudes from five loaves of bread and two fish, we asked the children to bring in a can or two of food to donate to the poor. We wanted the children to understand that we show thanks to God for providing enough for us and how important it is to share with those in need.
Other activities include an Easter Egg Hunt, games at the Summer Picnic, a Christmas pageant, and special activities at the parish retreat in the Fall.
Children from age 3 to grade 5 can be enrolled in Sunday school at any time. Children are welcome to be with their parents during worship. We also offer nursery care if it is desired. Our nursery has recently been remodeled by a wonderful team of parents. Every Sunday, nursery care is available from 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. and provided a paid nursery attendant and parent volunteers.