Children in church - a survivor's guide
We want you and your children to enjoy worshipping with us.
Things to do with children before worship
- On the way to church talk about what will happen when you get there, what it will be like and any expectations that you have.
- Find out where the toilets are, where you can get a drink of water for your child, and what is available for children to do during the service.
- Sit where your child is able to see what is happening at the front of the church.
- Point out the pulpit, altar, lectern, organ, communion rail, etc. Explain how they are used.
- Look for colours and symbols in the windows, banners and pictures. Explain that all of these things remind us of God's love and care.
- Count all the crosses in the church. Tell your child that the cross reminds us of Jesus.
- Talk about the people who help during the service and the jobs they do. Vicar, sidespersons, organist, choir, altar girls and boys, etc.
Things to do with children during worship
- Try to be consistent in what you expect of your child during the service.
- Allow your child to sit comfortably.
- Don't worry if your child wriggles; adults wriggle too!
- Your child will be watching and modelling your actions. Try to relax and enjoy yourself.
- Be gentle and forgiving towards your child.
- Listen with your child for a key word, such as 'Amen'.
- Briefly explain what is happening as the service progresses.
- Encourage your child to join in the worship. Hold the hymn book together. Fold your hands for the prayers. Stand and sit at the appropriate times.
- Some children enjoy sunday school. Others prefer to remain with the adults. If your child chooses to stay in the service, provide quiet activities.
Things to do with children after worship
- Investigate the baptismal font, lectern, pulpit, organ, communion rail, etc. Explain siply, how and why each is used.
- Greet those who led the service, at the door. Encourage your child to say hello and shake hands.
- Talk about the service by mentioning things that you particularly enjoyed (the singing, prayers, communion, etc) or something that happened during the service.
- Sing a hymn or song together.
Things to do with children during the week
- Say simple prayers together, before meals, playgroup/school, or at bedtime.
- Play church at home.
- Buy or borrow a toddler's or beginner's bible to read at home.
- Speak positively about worship. Make going to church a special event.
- With your child, put aside a small amount of money for the offering. Explain that it is a gift for the work of the church.
Worship in church is
Gathering - God calls us to meet together: joining in songs of praise, praying for ourselves and others, claiming God's mercy
Remembering - God speaks and we listen through: reading the bible, hearing the sermon, confessing our faith
Celebrating - Jesus invites us to eat and drink in the uniquely christian celebration of thanksgiving (communion or eucharist): proclaiming that Jesus has died, is risen and will come again; as a sign of our fellowship with God and with each other
Sending - The Holy Spirit nurtures and enables us to go out into our world: loving our neighbours as ourselves, offering the gift of God to others.
The church year
The church's year is made of different seasons, special days, holy days and saints' days. Seasons and special days are marked by the use of different colours for altar hangings and clergy dress. The four standard colours are white, purple, green and red, and are known as liturgical colours.
Advent is the time of waiting before Christmas. Colour = purple
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, God's gift to the world. Colour = white
Epiphany is the time when the church thinks about the glory of Jesus. Colour = white/green
Lent is the six and a half weeks before Easter, beginning with Ash Wednesday. Colour = purple
Easter is the joyful celebration of the day that Jesus rose from the dead. Colour = white
Pentecost celebrates the day on which the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus' followers. Colour = red/green