Sunday Children's Spiritual Formation​
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All kids are welcome to stay for the entirety of worship. Before the sermon, we have a weekly Children's Message where kids are invited to come up to the front and hear a message from the preacher, meant for kids.
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We offer a weekly children's bulletin from Illustrated Ministry that typically aligns with the Scripture for the week. We also have worship bags available to borrow with worship materials hanging against the back wall of the sanctuary.
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Godly Play is our Sunday School curriculum for Pre-K to 5th grade on Sunday mornings. Children start the morning in the worship service and are dismissed to Godly Play after Children’s Time. (Children who are potty trained and ready for a classroom setting may begin attending Godly Play as early as age 3).
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There is no Godly Play on the first Sunday of the month, when elementary children stay in the service for communion.
Childcare During Worship
The nursery is open at 10:15 am each Sunday for babies and children who are not yet in Kindergarten. We staff our nursery with hired nursery attendants, trained in first aid and in safety protocols for children. Children and babies can be dropped off at the beginning of the service or stay in worship until the Children’s Message. If this is your first time, please fill out an information form at the nursery.
"Pack the Pantry" Sundays
For many years, our church participated in the “2 Cents a Meal” offering, which was collected in PCUSA churches across the country. The concept was originated by Presbyterian women in 1976. The funds raised provided an opportunity for groups, families, and individuals to participate and consistently help to lessen world hunger. “2 Cents a Meal” was a strategy for raising awareness – and funds – for the fight against hunger as an opportunity to invite every member to contribute a few cents at every meal.
Today, the tradition has become known at our church as "Pack the Pantry" Sunday because the funds collected go toward buying food for our Free Little Pantry ministry. The children collect loose change and cash on the second Sunday of every month during Children's Time. It's fun!
About Godly Play
Godly Play is a Montessori-style curriculum created by Jerome Berryman that is designed to introduce the sacred stories of our faith to children in a spiral curriculum throughout their childhood. It takes children’s spirituality seriously and deeply honors children’s inherent dignity, curiosity, and personhood.
A Godly Play class is designed to resemble the rhythms of our worship service in a way that is engaging for children. The children prepare themselves before entering the classroom- quieting their voices and bodies. When they enter, they sit in a circle with the storyteller for the gathering time. Then they hear a story from the Bible, told using beautiful wooden or felt materials. After hearing the sacred stories, the children wonder together about them together and then are given time to respond through art, play, or quiet meditation. At the end, they share a feast (snack) together, before closing with song and a blessing.
The Godly Play class is always taught by two adult volunteers- a lead Storyteller and assistant Doorperson, who supports the classroom. Volunteers have gone through trainings in the Godly Play method and in child safety procedures.
New children and visitors are welcome to attend any Godly Play class or they may contact Pastor Laura for an orientation.
Join us at our Playground!
Our playground is open to the public, after worship and during the week any day.
Open. Inclusive. Affirming.
We are an open and affirming community, which means we celebrate everyone's gender and sexual identities as abundantly created by God. We seek to be a safe space for kids and adults exploring their identity.