Children of all ages are an important part of our church family and are always welcome in our worship services. Our church parlor has a window that looks into our sanctuary with a rocking chair that families with very young children have found to be a comfortable place to go if they find they need to leave the service. Changing tables are located in both the Men’s and Women’s restrooms in the Sanctuary Building.

A church nursery is also available for our preschool age children in Rooms 210 and 212 of the 200 Building.

Booster seats are available at the coat rack.

Worship Bags

These bags include paper and crayons as well as a worship guide and copies of the words to some of our regularly used responses and songs such as the Doxology and Gloria and the Lord’s Prayer. There are tissues in the bags as well! Regular attendees have assigned bags and there are plenty of extras for visitors. Ask an usher for one if you are not offered one on arrival.

Children’s Bulletins

Special children’s bulletins are provided for elementary age children. The ushers will be very happy to provide your child with an age appropriate bulletin.

Time for Children

We enjoy our children and want them to worship with us, believing that they learn best by watching and participating. Children are invited to the front for a special Time for Children during the 10:45 worship service. Throughout the year, children participate in Worship Education which is organized and led by the Children’s Education Team.

Acolytes

Older elementary-age children and younger youth participate as acolytes in our service. Acolytes light the candles on the Communion Table at the beginning of worship and extinguish the candles at the end, carrying the light out after the Benediction. If your child would like to be part of this activity, contact our Director of Christian Education.

Children and the Sacraments:

Communion:

In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) the baptized of all ages are welcome at the Lord’s Table. Children who are being nurtured in the meaning of this sacrament may join in communion at any time, however, the Session would like to help make a child’s first experience of communion be special. Please ask one of the ministers if you have questions regarding this.

Baptism:

In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), both children and adults may be baptized. If you are interested in having your child baptized, please speak to a pastor.

Nursery

Child care is provided during all of our worship services and most of our church activities. We have both a professional caregiver who is present each week with our little ones for consistency of care (a familiar face for parents and children) and then we also have a large group of volunteers who help on a rotating basis.

A sign-in notebook is located at the entrance to the preschool area so nametags can be made, parent location noted, and any special instructions may be written down. There is also a copy of our policies and procedures at that table.

To provide and safe and happy environment, children are divided into groups based on ages. Toys are sanitized regularly and safe diaper changing and toileting procedures are followed.

Children are only released to their parents or to the adult who was designated at sign-in.