We welcome you and your child in worship! Children learn how to participate in worship by being in worship. However, many parents worry about how their child will behave or how engaged he/she is in worship. We encourage you to reference these tips to help involve your child in worship:
- Relax! God put the wiggle in children—don't feel you have to suppress it in God's house.
- Pick up a worship kit for your child in the baskets outside the Sanctuary.
- Sit near the front. It is easier for children to see what is happening and stay engaged.
- Save the Children's Bulletin your child received when entering the Sanctuary for use during the sermon.
- Use a gentle touch: an arm around your child's shoulder or your hand in his/hers gives reassurance and appropriate attention.
- Explain quietly the parts of the service.
- Help your child find the pages in the hymnal. Use the book marks in the worship kit. As you sing, move your finger along the words to help your child learn how to read a hymn.
- Sing the hymns, pray and voice the responses. Children learn good behavior in church by copying yours.
- Encourage them to come to Children's Moment and ask them to participate in the message.
- Allow your child to help pass the offering plate and put money into it.
- Allow your child to serve with you as an usher or greeter.
- Following the service, ask your child how he or she experienced God in worship today. This helps set the expectation that we do encounter God in worship.
- Always remember that the way we welcome children in church directly affects the way they respond to church, God, and Christ. Let them know that they are at home here at First United Methodist Church.
- Worship Kits are small bags of activities provided during each worship service. They can be picked up near the Children's Chapel Table in the Narthex (outside the Sanctuary). Please return the Worship Kit to the basket following the worship service.
- Children's Worship Bulletins are specially designed for children and are available from the ushers upon entry to the Sanctuary. They offer special activities for children that supplement the lectionary scripture texts for the day. Older children may enjoy using these sermon and scripture notes to follow along and be more connected in worship. Sermon and Scripture notes can be found at the Connect Desk.
- Nursing Mother's Room is located in room C105. Equipped with rocking chairs and a live video broadcast of the worship services, it provides a quiet, comfortable atmosphere for nursing mothers.
- Nursery (infants to age two): Our church community recognizes the importance of the loving, caring environment you desire for your child during worship. Silent pagers are provided for parents, and a positive-identity system is in place for safety and security.
- Tot Watch (age two as of Sept. 1) is available during the 11 a.m. service. Children attending Sunday school can remain for the second hour, or children may come just for 11 a.m. worship. A short lesson and age appropriate activities are provided by paid staff.
- Children’s Chapel (age three as of Sept. 1 through age 4) is a child-friendly worship during the 11 a.m. service. Take your child into worship with you and then following the Children's Moment, children meet adult helpers outside the Sanctuary. Before worship, get a nametag for your child. Pick up your child in C116 following worship.