Children at Worship

Our St Andrew’s family includes children and we believe that their involvement in worship is of great importance, both to them as individuals and the rest of us as members of the Body of Christ which is the Church.

We welcome children to worship by:

• providing a worship service each Sunday where children are welcomed and made a part of what is going on as their abilities allow;
• encouraging families to bring their children of all ages to the family worship. Children are an important and welcomed part of our worshipping community;
• providing a crèche space and children’s corner;
• providing ‘Fun Bags’ for babies and toddlers and ‘Activity Folders’ for primary school children;
• encouraging older children to participate by serving, leading intercessions or reading;
• modelling appropriate church behaviour for children by teaching them to stand, sit, or kneel with the congregation.

Please remember that the rest of the congregation is delighted that you and your family are in church and understands that God made children to be children and not silent statues! Also bear in mind that our vicar, Robin, has children of his own.

Learning and Worship

Worship is one of the basic ways people learn what it means to be Christian. Children learn worship by worshipping with rest of the congregation Sunday by Sunday.

• They learn that they belong to Christ and are welcome in His Church.
• They learn to know the Lord’s Prayer and other parts of the liturgy from memory.
• They build a fund of memorable, shared experiences of Christian community against which they may draw when they are older.
• They are enriched by the beauty of music and art as expressions of praise and as human responses to God.
• They hear stories from the Bible read and interpreted, and begin to see Christian worship as one place where God may speak to them.
• They witness the drama of Baptism and Eucharist as signs of God’s kindness and love.
• They discover that they are valued as individuals by God and by the people of God at Church.

Bringing children to worship may not always be easy, but it is an essential part of their growth in Christ. The Body of Christ assembled is incomplete in their absence. We need children.

Preschool Children

The preschool child comes to worship with:

• A short attention span,
• Seemingly endless energy,
• A growing curiosity about everything.

The trick is to make the most of the energy and curiosity whilst coping with the short attention span!
You may find the following helpful:

• Sit near the front where your child can have a clear view of the sanctuary.
• Prepare your child for the different parts of the worship service, explaining special events ahead of time and answering questions that need a ‘right now’ answer in a whisper to show that it is a quiet time.
• Encourage your child to bring along a favourite soft toy, picture book, colouring books or other quiet toys to play with when they get bored.
• Make use of the ‘Fun Bags’ we provide which include books and quiet toys.
• Encourage as much adult-like behaviour as your child can tolerate. Allow children to be active within limits of the situation, as long as the activity is not distracting others.
• Use the quiet time of church as a chance for a special togetherness of parents and child which may not be possible during the week.
• Feel free to use the crèche and children’s spaces as you need to.

School-aged Children

The school-age child brings some new abilities to worship:

• A greater capacity for attentive listening.
• An increasing ability to read.
• The ability to organize and memorize information.

Parents help the primary child toward greater participation in worship as these capacities develop when they:

• Help memorise the Lord’s Prayer and other parts of the liturgy.
• Review the service sheet with your child to identify new or difficult words and preview together those parts where the congregation responds by reading and speaking.
• Find hymns in the sheet or books and go over the words.
• Use the ‘Activity Folders’ provided which include sheets relevant to the readings.
• Encourage your child to listen to the sermon for stories, answers to questions and important thoughts.
• Talk about the sermon at home and what your child remembers best about it.

ABC’s for Parents and Friends of Children

Arrive in time to find a good place to sit. Sitting near the front will provide younger children with a better view of the sanctuary.

Bring quiet toys, books, or colouring books for preschool and early Primary school age children and make use of the Fun Bags’ and Activity Folders provided – these can be found in bright boxes at the back of church, just ask one of the welcomers if you can’t spot them.

Clue in children as to what will happen next in worship. Children who can read will want to follow the service sheet and find hymns. Children like to be ready.

Discuss worship at home to prepare children for any departures from the routine of worship such as Baptism or other special features. Also give time to answer questions about worship experiences.

Express your gladness at having children in worship. During the Peace be sure to welcome the children near you. Include them in your conversations before and after worship to let them know they belong at church.

Free yourself from worry about children’s behaviour and be open to receiving their ministry to you.