ALL SOULS KIDS
Growing in the love of God with imagination and curiosity.
We value the practices of living out life together as followers of Jesus with our children. One of the practical implications of this value, is that our children join us for a significant portion of Sunday Worship. The rhythms of our Sunday Worship liturgy together—modeling ancient Christian practices, loving our neighbors, the work of justice—are all done alongside children. Children learn to pray alongside us and are invited to participate with us in the embodied movements of worship. They have a place at the table.
On Services
We know that children can be wiggly and noisy, we welcome them to come as they are on Sunday mornings! We offer hospitality to children by welcoming them fully to be with us. We hope that the children who are a part of our community will grow up to love the rhythm of the liturgy. We want them to remember being folded into the family of God with a love for their imagination and curiosity— rather than the heavy burden of perfection.
All Souls Kids Classrooms
Our Rhythm During the School Year:
Respite Room (children 2 years old and younger) — A respite room is available for caregivers of children ages 0-2 who need a quiet space. We livestream the service from the room so parents can continue to participate in the liturgy.
Pre-K/Kindergarten Class (children 3 to 5 years old) — Children may be checked in and out at any time during the service. While in the Pre-K/K Room, children form and deepen friendships through play, and experience the love love and acceptance of God and the body of Christ in the church, embodied by the care of loving adults. There is simple lesson, including a song, story, and prayer. Cheerios are provided for snack.
Lower Elementary (Grades 1-3) — Children are dismissed from the service following the Blessing Our Children prayer, and return to the service during the Passing of the Peace. For our elementary school students, we seek to create a space where they can explore faith and spiritual practices while building relationships with their peers and teachers. During their time in the classroom, children will read and discuss stories from Scripture and participate in games and crafts.
Upper Elementary (Grades 4-5) — Children are dismissed before the scripture readings in our liturgy, and return to the Sanctuary during the Passing of the Peace. For our upper elementary school students, we seek to create a space where they can explore faith and spiritual practices while building relationships with their peers and teachers. During their time in the classroom, children will read, discuss and act out stories from Scripture, delve more deeply into biblical themes, and participate in games and crafts.
On Baptism
Holy Baptism is the Church’s great mystery in which we are buried and raised with Christ, born anew by the Holy Spirit, and joined to his living Body, the Church. Baptisms may take place during the Eucharist on Sundays, at the Easter Vigil and our annual Church at the River.
On Kids and Communion
Naturally, the question arises concerning when a child should participate in the Eucharist (communion). Coming with the community to the Lord’s Table can be one of the most formative experiences for any person, certainly a child. Many Christian traditions have some form of childhood catechism that works alongside the child’s baptism. This catechism allows the child to learn the Biblical story they will be participating in and to have some context for the gravity and joy of the grace offered in Jesus’ bread and wine.
Parents are the ones first entrusted to train their children in faith, and it seems wise for parents to encourage their kids to the Table after they have embraced Jesus’ story and received baptism (even if not in that order). If your child will not be eating or drinking at the Table, we still would love for them to come and participate. One of the pastors or elders serving communion would love to offer a blessing for your child if they are not receiving bread or wine/juice. As you come to the Table, please simply indicate that you would like your child to be blessed.
Child Safety Policies
Anyone working with your children at All Souls receives a background screening and Sexual Abuse Awareness Training. We maintain appropriate adult: child ratios in each classroom and adhere to a comprehensive Child Safety Policies Handbook. We welcome any feedback, concerns or questions. We are here to serve you and your family.