Children, youth and the worship service. These words bring up many thoughts, feelings and questions, sometimes contradictory.
- What is the right age for children to begin participating in worship?
- Children are noisy and messy – I like my worship quiet and meditative.
- The youth should serve as acolytes – they’ll feel connected and important.
- Someone needs to talk to the youth acolytes – they should be wearing dress shoes!
- We don’t really have any children or youth in our parish.
- I like the Children’s Sermon – our priest is great with kids, and the kids are cute!
- Shouldn’t they be in Sunday School? They don’t really understand what’s going on here anyway!
- It’s easier to introduce a 3 year old to worship than a 13 year old . . . Sigh . . .
- Maybe they should have their own worship time.
- and so on . . .
What thoughts, feelings and questions do these words bring up for you?
Gather them up and bring them to our next Conversations over Lunch meeting on February 10 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the Council Room at D-House. We’ll talk about various models, opportunities and ideas around children, youth and worship, including Children’s Chapel, instruction for participation in sacraments, models for children and youth as ministers, and more!
Did you know that the Faith Formation Hub has a monthly e-mail newsletter? Contact me at cspencer@ecww.org to sign up to receive the First Monday News from the Faith Formation Hub and stay up to date with all the happenings!
Cindy Spencer
Coordinator for Ministries to Children and Families
Faith Formation Hub, Episcopal Diocese of Olympia
