kids @ all souls
All Souls is a church for everyone, for children as much as for adults. We love your children, and we want to come alongside you as parents to help them love God and live in the way of Jesus. We take seriously our responsibility to help you spiritually nurture your child.
We want children to participate with us. Children are always welcome to participate however you desire. We also have attentive childcare available for children 5 and under. For children 6-10, we have a Sunday School class available during the teaching portion of our liturgy. Also, every other week, we have a kid's sermon, inviting all kids 10 and under to come up front and join in.
We have most of the music toward the beginning of our liturgy so that, even if you are taking your child to the kid's space downstairs, they can still participate in the music (and kid's sermons on those Sundays) before you take them downstairs. Also, there are art supplies available upstairs for kids to enjoy.
You may download our guide with all our Sunday kid's info, but here are the basics:
kids 5 and under
While children are always welcome in our gathering, a nursery is available downstairs for children ages 5 and under. Kid workers in the nursery will be loving, careful and receive a background screening.
Please sign your child in and share any important personality or health concerns.
If your children are staying in the gathering, feel free to walk them around the back – or do whatever you need. Also, coloring supplies and Bible story pictures are available for them at the info table. And feel free to bring along a favorite toy.
Usually, we will have a kid’s sermon every other week. We would love for your child to participate. Feel free to come up with them if they are nervous.
kids 6 – 10
Each week, we invite kids age 6 -10 to go downstairs during the teaching portion of our gathering for an age appropriate learning experience. Typically on the alternating Sundays, we will have a kid’s sermon and invite them to come up and participate.
On Sundays when they do go downstairs, we will bring them back upstairs for Passing of the Peace, Communion and the remainder of our gathering.
a few suggestions if you are helping your child to participate in our gathering and liturgy
Sit where your child can clearly see what is happening and all we are doing
Go through the liturgy guide and explain what to expect. Encourage them to listen for certain things that will be said or done. Tell them why different portions are included.
Encourage them to read along and follow what is happening.
We have coloring supplies and activity pages available at the info table.
Encourage as much adult-like behavior as your child can tolerate. Allow them to be appropriately active.
Ask your child to whisper.
If these suggestions fail and you’re at wit’s end, don’t worry. Someone will probably offer to help – and you can feel free to ask. And, chances are, your children are not disturbing others nearly as much as they are frustrating you. Breathe deep. You and your children are welcome here.
a note about kids, communion and baptism
Naturally, the question arises concerning when a child should participate in the Eucharist (communion). Coming with the community to the Lord's Table can be one of the most formative experiences for any person, certainly a child. Many Christian traditions have some form of childhood catechism that works alongside the child's baptism. This catechism allows the child to learn the Biblical story they will be participating in and to have some context for the gravity and joy of the grace offered in Jesus' bread and wine.
Parents are of course the ones first entrusted to train their children in faith, and it seems wise for parents to encourage their kids to the Table after they have embraced Jesus’ story and received baptism (even if not in that order). If your child will not be eating or drinking at the Table, we still would love for them to come and participate. One of the pastors or elders serving communion would love to offer a blessing for your child if they are not receiving bread or wine/juice. As you come to the Table, please simply indicate that you would like your child to be blessed.
If you would like to discuss baptism for you or your child, we would love to talk with you. Also, whenever you are ready for your child to begin receiving communion, we would love to have a conversation with you and your child around the meaning and mystery of coming to the Lord’s Table with God’s community.
resources
Overview of kids and families at All Souls
Application for Kid Workers (including permission for background check)