ST. LUKE KIDS
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."Proverbs 22:6
ABOUT US
It is important for children to develop relationships with other believers and learn to accept and love each other for who they are. They will learn to worship and pray, and to serve and share Jesus with the world around them. And it will be FUN!
All adults who volunteer to work with children undergo Safe Sanctuary training and undergo a National Background check every two years. Contact the Director of Youth & Family Ministries for more information.
At St. Luke Lutheran Church, as Jesus did, we welcome children of all ages and abilities as integral members of the body of Christ, and we welcome the sounds and activity that accompany them! There are a number of spaces and activities designed for children to experience and participate in worship according to their needs. We trust families to work out the best option(s) for them and their child(ren) on any given day.
The Pray Ground
This space in the back left corner of the Sanctuary is designed for parents to sit with their children (ages 4 and under and/or older children with developmental delays) and quietly engage in age-appropriate activities, while experiencing worship in the sanctuary. Soft, quiet toys are provided to help keep our little ones occupied.
Nursery
If your little one simply needs a break, a nursery is staffed with two background checked volunteers during the worship service for children from birth to 3 years of age.
Narthex (Lobby)
While the sounds children make are most welcomed in the Sanctuary, we recognize that concerns about disturbing others can hinder parents' ability to focus on worship. Windows are placed at the back of the Sanctuary and sound is piped in so parishioners can both see and hear what's happening in worship, while children can move around freely.
Busy Boxes
Located near our nametag station, these boxes contain crayons, small toys, activity sheets and stickers to keep little hands occupied.
Kids Worship Kits
Located near our nametag station, these kits are filled with different activities that help walk children and families through the liturgical pieces of worship. Not only are they quiet activities with movement, but these kits help kids stay engaged in worship.
Sensory Friendly Worship Kits
Located near our nametag station, these lightweight kits carry headphones to dull loud noises, squishy toys and fidget toys.
At St. Luke, we understand that it takes a village to raise a child. A few tips for everyone to engage our families with small children include:
- Greeting / learning the names of the young children who sit near you in worship.
- Offering to read or color with one child during worship, especially if another child in the family is especially fussy or upset.
- Helping preschoolers and elementary-age children to navigate the liturgy, locate the hymns, etc. (Children learn to worship by participating!)
- Inviting kids to serve alongside you in worship, as greeters, ushers (handing out bulletins), etc.
- Recognizing that certain conditions or disabilities don't present physically, and some children (and adults) may make noises or act in ways that may seem strange or upsetting, but are perfectly normal for their situation.
- Celebrating that God put the wriggle in children, and that children's "mode of being" in worship is intrinsically more vocal and more physical than that of adults.