Kids' Church
Sunday Worship for children
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At R-W we believe that Sunday is a time of worship for children and
youth as well as for adults. Kids' Church is our way of ensuring that
our children worship in ways that are relative and meaningful to them.
We worship using a rotational module approach with games, crafts, music,
puppets, drama, and a variety of other activities.
Where is Kids' Church?
Accessed through the Memorial Hall entrance, Kids' Church is downstairs
along the main hallway. Painted using an environmental motif, the main
rooms reflect the four elements. One of the rooms is our Kids' Chapel
- sacred space geared for children with a communion table, pulpit and
baptismal font.
These elements echo those in the main sanctuary. Here children worship
playfully on their terms.
There are also rooms designated for a variety of activities, for example,
CRAFTS & GAMES, STORYTELLING & MUSIC, and SCIENCE/COOKING.
The pre-school room ("The Garden Patch") is painted like
a colouring book garden.
What is a rotational module?
Each three week time period we have a THEME based on a particular bible
reading and activities to demonstrate the theme. The activities function
as the sermon in a traditional worship service.
 Either
as a whole group or divided by age, the children rotate through each
area over the three week period, and so learn about their faith in a
way that is geared to them. For example, the children may explore the
story of Noah by dying shirts in rainbow colours, learn about Jesus
healed the leper through a puppet show, or discover how to apply the
10 commandments in daily life through a life sized version of "Snakes
and Ladders."
The age categories are:
Primary (Gr. 1 to Gr. 3);
and Intermediate (Gr. 4 to Gr. 6)
What about younger children?
In the "Garden Patch" we have a toddler program for children
aged 3 to 5 years. Rather than rotate to various activities, these children
worship in their own room. Parents/caregivers of this age group form
their own schedule as facilitators of the activities for the little
ones.
Who leads Kids' Church?
We have a shared approach to leadership, including: our Minister of
Congregational Care; Teachers, who are parents, grandparents, youth
and congregation members volunteering to lead a rotation; Shepherds,
who are parents, grandparents, youth and other volunteers assigned to
an age group and who accompany them to the activity sessions. Shepherds
also help the teacher in the session and build a rapport with the students.
Is there Kids' Church every Sunday?
Yes and No. Yes, because every Sunday is geared toward children and
youth, as well as adults; but on a long weekend, a school holiday, or
the summer months, there are no planned activities. Children are welcome
to stay in the main sanctuary with their parents or caregivers. On these
Sundays special care is taken to make the worship accessible to young
and old alike. There are also activity kits available for children who
need extra help to stay focused during worship.
There are also several Sundays during the year when the service is designated
as a Whole Family Service. This is an intergenerational service where
leadership is exercised by children, youth, adults and elders.
How do we find out what is coming up in Kids' Church?
The schedule of Kids' Church activties is posted on our website at
two locations:
- Select "Calendar of Events" from the right menu, then
"Kids' Church";
- Select "Join Us this Sunday".
Do the children go directly down to the activity rooms in the basement?
Not usually. Worship begins in the sanctuary with families together. Early
in the service there is a special time of prayer with the children before
they go downstairs for their activities.
In the Kids' Chapel they will learn a song, listen to the reading,
and then go to their activity room. After the sermon activity, they
return to the main sanctuary to reintegrate with their families so we
can be sent out into the world as a whole family. Kids' church is intended
to feel like worship. It is simply geared to their age level.
Note that on Communion Sundays, on Remembrance Sunday, and when there
is a special Group Worship the children GO DIRECTLY to the Kids' Sanctuary
rather than starting upstairs.
Do the children always separate into different age groups?
No. In addition to the various rotations, the children get together on
occasion for worship with the Youth Group. These Group Worship times coincide
with special Church holidays like Reign of Christ Sunday or Epiphany.
In addition, some Communion Sundays we celebrate Kids' Communion. Rather
than go upstairs for communion, the children and youth get together on
their own for communion geared to their age level.
Group Worship and Kid's Communion are celebrated in the Kids' Sanctuary.
Is Kids' Church just for kids?
Definitely not. All ages are welcome to participate with the children
in Kids' Church, especially parents, older siblings, grandparents and
other caregivers. All are welcome.
For more information contact the church
office.
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