Discovery Team Time
Discovery Team is our children’s ministry that meets during the second half of service on Sunday mornings. The reason behind the name is to encourage parents that raising their kids in the faith is not a journey they need to embark on alone, but it is a whole community promise and adventure. Not only are we devoted to loving the little ones, we promise to love and support parents where they need it.
We believe kids encounter God through storytelling, play and wonder, and our entire service and Discovery Team time is designed to foster an environment that allows kids to experience God in ways that are most natural to them. Partway through the service kids are invited to join the pastor up front for a story, and then they are welcome to head to the Discovery Team room to do crafts, tell stories, play and build in ways that allow them to respond to the story.
Kids During Service
No matter what age, all are welcome.
There is an area in the back of the sanctuary for our little ones to experience the love of God. During the sermon, kids are welcome to stay or go to the Fireside Room for Discovery Team time.
To the parents of young children, let us encourage you…
Relax! God created little bodies to wiggle. Don’t feel you have to suppress or worry about it in God’s house. We welcome and love your little ones and the joyful noises they make!
Some ideas to help your children engage in the service:
> Quietly explain the various parts of the service so they can understand what is happening around them.
> Sing the hymns, take part in the prayers, voice the responses. Your children will learn how to worship God from you!
> If you feel you need to leave the service at any given time, we understand. But please come back! As Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me.”
> Make sure your little ones know they are welcome and at home in our church! How we make them feel now will directly impact how they will respond to the church, to God and to one another.
To our church community, let us encourage you…
Welcome our children with open hearts and arms, and offer a smile, hug or word of encouragement to their parents. The presence of children is a gift to our church, as well as an exciting reminder that our community is growing!