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WELCOME
TO OUR CHURCH
Children in Church – A Survivor’s Guide
We want you and your children to enjoy
worshipping with us. Please read this
guide with them. It will help you all to
get the most out of your time spent worshipping God together.
Things
to do with Children before Worship
 On the way to church talk about what will happen
when you get there, what it will be like and any expectations that you have.
Find out where the toilets are, where you
can get a drink of water for your child and what is available for children to
do during the service.
Sit where your child is able to see what
is happening at the front of the church.
Point out the pulpit, altar, lectern,
organ, communion rail, etc. Explain
how they are used.
Look for colours and symbols within the church, including
banners and pictures. Explain that all
of these things remind us of God’s love and care.
Count all the crosses in the church. Tell your child that the cross reminds us
of Jesus.
Talk about the people who help during the
service and the jobs they do. (Vicar,
Sidespersons, Organist, Choir).
Things
for you to do with Children during Worship
Try to be consistent in what you expect of your
child during the service.
Allow your child to sit comfortably.
Do not worry if your child wriggles –
adults wriggle too!
Your child will be watching and modelling your actions. Try to relax and enjoy yourself.
Be gentle and forgiving towards your
child.
Listen with your child for a key word,
such as ‘Amen’.
Encourage your child to join in the
worship. Hold the hymn book/service
sheet together. Fold your hands for
the prayers. Stand and sit at the
appropriate times.
With your child, put aside an amount of
money for the offering. Explain that
it is a gift for the work of the church.
Some children enjoy Sunday School, others
prefer to remain with the adults. If
your child chooses to stay in the service, provide quiet activities or use
the activity bags provided at the back of church.
Please do not forget to return the activity
bags after the service
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Please don't forget to take the toy
bags back at the end of the service, thanks kids
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If you feel your child is restless there is
a crèche facility at the back of church.
Please feel free to use the facilities but children will need to be
supervised by an adult at all times.
The church service is relayed through the sound system to the crèche.
Things
to do with Children after Worship
Look at the baptismal font, lectern, pulpit, organ
pipes, and communion rail. Explain
simply how and why each is used.
Greet those who led the service at the
door. Encourage your child to say
hello and shake hands.
Talk about the service by mentioning
things that you particularly enjoyed (the singing, prayers, communion, etc)
or something that happened during the service.
Sing a hymn or song together.
Things to do with Children during the Week
Say simple prayers together before meals,
playgroup/school or at bedtime.
Play church at home.
Buy or borrow a ‘toddler’s’ or
‘beginner’s’ bible to read at home.
Speak positively about worship. Make ‘going to church’ a special event.
WORSHIP IN CHURCH IS …………
GATHERING
God
calls us to meet together:
Joining in songs of praise
Praying for ourselves and others
Claiming God’s mercy
REMEMBERING
God
speaks and we listen through:
Reading the Bible
Hearing the sermon
Confessing our faith
CELEBRATING
Jesus
invites us to eat and drink in the uniquely Christian celebration of
thanksgiving known as
(Communion
or Eucharist):
Proclaiming that Jesus has died, is risen
and will come again
As a sign of our fellowship with God and
with each other
SENDING
The
Holy Spirit nurtures and enables us to go out into our world:
Loving our neighbours as ourselves
Offering the gift of God to others
SUNDAYS
Whizz
Kids – meet on Sundays
10.30 to 11.30am in the Church Hall.
Contact Person: William Ang’awa; Stephen Bovill
This is a group
for 11-16 year olds. Their Sunday
activity is all about having fun as young Christians. They also have other social activities.
Explorers – meet on Sundays 10.30 to 11.30am in the
Church Hall.
Contact Person: Joanne Brown
This group is
for children between 7 and 11 years of age.
They listen to Bible stories and do lots of related craftwork.
Climbers – meet on Sundays 10.30 to 11.30am in
the Underchurch.
Contact Person: Sue Bovill; Carol Thompson
This group is for
children between 3 and 7 years of age.
They listen to Bible stories, sing and draw.
For other weekday
children’s groups, e.g. Mums ‘n’ Tots, Rainbows, Brownies, Beavers, Cubs,
etc, please see ‘Welcome Booklet’ or ask a church member.
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