Children’s Ministry

Ages 5-12

Godly Play

Where children come to know God. GODLY PLAY™ is an imaginative, Montessori-based approach to religious education developed by the Rev. Dr. Jerome W. Berryman and used in many denominations and around the world. The Godly Play program takes place in the Godly Play Room and starts when the 10 am service starts. Children return to their parents midway through the service. ​

Godly Play Mission Statement: Making meaning through story, wonder, and play. Nurturing spiritual lives by honoring the centrality, competency, and capacity of children. ​ From the Godly Play website:

  • Godly Play is a creative, imaginative approach to Christian formation and spiritual guidance.

  • Godly Play has a Montessori foundation with 40+ years of research and practice.

  • Godly Play values process, openness, discovery, community and relationships.

  • Godly Play models the worship life, stories, symbols and rituals of Christian congregations.

  • Godly Play allows practitioners to make relevant and personal theological meaning.

  • Godly Play nurtures participants to larger dimensions of belief and faith through wondering and play.

A woman wearing an animal print dress holding a white heart-shaped paper with the words 'LOVE GOD' written on it, seated on a colorful carpet with a small display table in front of her. The display contains various small objects and signs with religious messages, with shelves holding books in the background.
Display of small figures representing people on a sandy surface with signs that read '1. DON'T SERVE OTHER GODS,' 'LOVE GOD,' 'LOVE PEOPLE,' and 'GOD LOVES US'.
A tabletop game with various colored paper pieces and small wooden figures, including a green circle with a paper triangle, on a red table. There are scissors and a blue cloth also on the table.

Church Buddies

Basket of stuffed animal toys resembling a boy with dark skin, a unicorn, an elephant, and a cow, positioned on a wooden surface next to a sign labeled 'Church Buddies' with instructions for children.

The Guild Room is available during all worship services. Located adjacent to the church, this comfortable space includes a kitchenette, restrooms, a play area, a changing table, and ample seating.

The worship service is broadcast on a television in the room, allowing continued participation in the liturgy while making use of the space and its amenities.

Guild Room

A wooden door with glass panel labeled 'Guild Room' on a stone wall. The glass reflects the outdoors, and a small security sticker is visible.

Creative options are available for children in worship, recognizing that sitting still and quiet for an entire service can be challenging.

In the church entryway, a basket of stuffed animals and a shelf stocked with clipboards and coloring supplies are available for use during worship. Children are welcome to bring any of these items to their seats to help them engage comfortably in the service.

At the conclusion of worship, these items should be returned to the entryway for future use.