KIDS BELONG IN BENEDICTION CHURCH!

Children are not a distraction. In some church traditions, parents view worship as a ‘break’ from their kids, but that’s not our approach. Our aim is to prepare kids and families for lifelong discipleship, and we think the best way to do that is together. We believe kids should be included and integrated, not hidden in another room on the other side of the building for the whole gathering. We also believe kids learn best about worship by watching and imitating others (especially their parents).

THE WHO-GOES-WHERE ON SUNDAYS:

BABIES and TODDLERS: Wee ones who need a change of scenery may use the play zone and toys located on the floor. Toddlers in this space must be supervised, and never left unattended.

NURSING MOMS: Nursing moms are welcome to breastfeed where they feel comfortable. Should you wish to do so in private, we reserve a pew at the back of the room (behind the stained glass divider) for nursing moms.

PRESCHOOL and JK/SK KIDS: You’re invited to KidSpace! There’s age-appropriate Bible lessons, games and crafts. Our Kidspace leaders have been screened and trained to provide a safe,Gospel-centred environment for you to learn in. Before the sermon, our KidSpace kids will be dismissed and follow the leaders to the KidSpace room. After the sermon, they’ll return together in time for Communion.

SCHOOL-AGED KIDS (about 5yrs and up) are invited (though not required) to remain with parents during the teaching portion. Dry erase boards, art supplies, and other activities will be provided.

KIDS TAKING COMMUNION WITH PARENTS?

For several reasons, biblical and otherwise, children may join in Communion with parents’ permission. For a thorough defence of kids in Communion, listen to our message “Lessons in Table Manners” (from 1Corinthians 11:17-34) which you can download in MP3 format here.

AFTER WORD + TABLE

While grown-ups are chatting and visiting, it’s normal (and encouraged) for kids to run around and play with their friends. We even have a bag of toy lightsabers (yes, like from Star Wars) that some of our kids like to play with, and your kids are welcome to join them - the older kids will explain the rules.

Parents: please keep an eye on your kids and see that they’re playing safely. We’ve done what we can to make the room kid-friendly, but there are still ways that a child could get hurt if they’re not careful.

After Word + Table, we ask parents not to let their kids go back into the KidSpace room unaccompanied. If your child goes in and makes a mess, we’ll ask you (and them) to stay and tidy the room back up.

NOTE TO PARENTS:

It’s super important that you understand that kids learn the importance of Sunday morning from parents. It’s you (not us) who sets the expectations and boundaries of what’s helpful and acceptable behaviour. If you’re anxious, expectant, annoyed, bored, grateful, or excited to be in church, your kids will know it, and behave accordingly. (E.g., If your son senses that church is a source of major stress for mom, he may not feel bad about acting out in such a way as to disrupt or damage it, since he learned it’s a threat.) But, if you’re safe and settled, your kid(s) will probably be as well.

As early as possible, you can train your kids at home to look forward to worshiping with the rest of the church. Some practical suggestions:

• Singing songs about Jesus at home can train them to do so with the church.

• Sitting still with you while you tell stories about Jesus can train them to learn from sermons.

• Your family’s table manners at supper time can train them to share Communion.

• Teach your child ancient prayers and confessions like The Lord’s Prayer and The Apostles’ Creed.

• On Sundays, you might sit near the front of the room so kids can better see and hear what’s going on.

• Feel free to whisper and explain the parts of the liturgy, and share answers to the sermon’s questions.

• Make the boundaries clear for your child. Times of prayer, singing, teaching, or communion are not when your child should be exploring the front of the room. If you’re not sure, look around at what other families with young children are doing.

• Bring snacks.

• During prayers and songs, let your kids see and hear you participate. If you have your eyes closed, hands raised, that’s not a performance; it’s training - for the kids, and, for your own heart!

• Don’t be embarrassed if you need to remove your child from the room. (But please come back!)

Pace yourself. Give your children (and yourself!) grace as they learn. Being a kid isn’t easy! Remember that more is caught than taught, and it takes time. For kids who are new to church, it can take weeks (sometimes months) to ‘get’ what’s going on in Word + Table and participate. Similarly, it can take weeks (maybe months) before your kids can enjoy KidSpace without you there. But they will eventually. They really will. And it’s so worth it.

Please note: if your child has special needs, please talk to the pastor or others leaders before Word + Table, who’ll be glad to discuss ways we can support you and your child’s learning.

NOTE TO THE CHURCH:

The presence of children - even busy ones - is a blessing to the church, and a sign that God is at work growing and stretching us. Please welcome children, and encourage their parents. Don’t make it any harder than it already is. Instead: serve! If kids in front of you are wiggling and cranky, you can serve by making a funny face! If a kid squirms free of their parents and runs to the front of the room at an inappropriate time, you can serve them (and all of us) by gently bringing the child back where he/she belongs - with parents! Any judgmental sneers, sighs, head shakes, eye rolls, etc., are really unhelpful, unkind, and don’t fit with the way of Jesus who said “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matt. 19:14).