|
|
Children in Church
A Guide for
Parents and Friends of Children
Children at Worship
Our Church
family includes an increasing number of families with
children. It is very important that these children are
included in our worship services as they are an important
part of our worship family. Some of the ways we encourage
children in worship are:
Providing a
family worship service every Sunday.
Encouraging
families to bring their children of all ages to worship.
Children are a very important part of our church community.
Providing professionally staffed
nursery for infants and toddlers through preschool age
during worship. Parents are encouraged to slip out to pick
up their children before Communion so they can share this as
a family.
Also, provided is the Martin Luther
Room just outside the door next to the organ console. There is a TV
in there showing the worship service, as well as quiet toys
for restless children.
Quiet bags are
provided in the Narthex for use in church. These may include a book, crayons,
and coloring book. There is also a children’s bulletin and
activity sheet that follows the Gospel lesson of the day.
Children can,
in general, be expected to participate in the entire service
by the time they are in second grade. Encourage your child
at an early age to sit and stand at the appropriate times
during the service. If your young child is restless,
gradually lengthen their time in the service.
The Preschool Child
Adults may
question the wisdom of including preschool children in
worship. It is true that they sometimes distract those
around them. But as members of the family, they are needed
by all of us to complete the circle at God’s table. The
preschool child comes to worship with:
A short
attention span, endless energy, and a growing curiosity
about everything.
While these
things are enough to test the patience of any adults,
including their parents, there are some things that can be
done to help the time in worship to be more relaxed.
Sit near the
front where the child can see what is going on.
Prepare the
child for the different parts of the services. If the child
has questions about the service, answer in a whisper.
Have a special
“Sunday” bag for your child to bring. This may include a
favorite quiet toy, books, or coloring books and crayons.
If you forget your bag, remember the Quiet Bags located in
the hub by the red entrance doors.
Show your child
how to participate in the service: stand when singing, fold
hands when praying, etc. Encourage what the child can
tolerate.
The Primary Child
The
school-age child brings different abilities with them to
worship. They have a larger attention span, an increasing
ability to read, and should be able to start memorizing
parts of the liturgy.
Encourage
the child to follow the liturgy and sing the hymns. Go over
the bulletin with them before the service and answer
questions.
Encourage
the child to listen to the sermon for stories. On the way
home, answer questions and talk about what he/she remembers
best about the sermon.
Worship and
Learning
Worship is
one of the basic ways people learn what it means to be
Christian. They learn they belong to Christ and are welcome
in His Church.
They build
memories they carry with them throughout their lives.
They hear
the stories of the Bible read and interpreted, and begin to
see Christian worship as a place where God may speak to
them.
They
discover that they are valued as persons by God and by the
people of God at church.
Bringing
children to church may not always be easy, but it is an
essential part of their growth in Christ. The Body of
Christ is incomplete without the children there to
participate.
ABC’s for
Parents and Friends of Children
Arrive on time to find a good place to sit where your child
can see.
Bring your
child’s “Sunday” bag.
Clue your child
as to what will happen next in worship.
Discuss at home
to prepare your child for any departures from the routine.
Express your
happiness at having children in church. Let them know when
their
behavior
has met expectations.
Free yourself
from worry about behavior and be open to receiving their
ministry to you.
ABC’s for
Non-Parents
Attention spans
of young children are short—please understand that if
children are not encouraged to sit still and listen at a
young age, then they may never learn.
Be patient with
the inquisitiveness of children and the parents who try to
quietly explain the service to them.
Children are
welcome in the service for God’s message is for them as well
as adults. Jesus said, “Suffer the little children to come
unto me.”
Differentiate
between normal restlessness of young children and unruly
behavior. Even adults get restless sometimes.
Expect some
“wiggling” from children in church.
Focus on the
worship service and the little distractions should be easier
to overlook.
Some Rules for Children
No running
in the church building.
Speak in a
quiet, inside voice and use a whisper when you have
questions during the service.
Food
and drinks should stay in the room where
they are being served. There is to be no food or drink in the Sunday school
rooms or the Sanctuary.
Number 1 Rule for Parents
To ensure
the safety of your children, please, make sure an adult
accompanies your child at ALL times. This includes bathroom
breaks during the service.
**Most of the
content of this Guide is from the website of King of
Peace Episcopal Church in Kingsland, Georgia.
|
