Mission:
1) To help our church’s families support their children in their faith journey through: a) Biblically-based, multi-sensory education, and b) investment and care in their whole life experiences.
2) To support children in the neighborhoods around us through care and involvement in their lives, seizing opportunities to minister to their spiritual growth.
We express this through providing the following options and ministries
for children and families.
A welcoming space: Children are very welcomed to stay in the Great Hall with their caregivers throughout the entire service. Caregivers are encouraged to lead their children, starting at the earliest stages, through a reverent flow of song, prayer, teaching time, and communion. Church leaders and communicators are encouraged to remember the children throughout the flow of the service. Children may use the toy area, which is set up in the Great Hall, when they are unable to participate in worship any longer. Caregivers may also use the nursery area in the cafe to nurse their children, change diapers, or calm a crying or excited child.
Helping Hands/Baby Holders- Many people at The Open Door are willing and able to help you with your child/ren if you need to step away, lead a part of worship, or attend to another child. Please ask those around you for help when you need it. This creates an atmosphere of servanthood and intergenerational relationships that extend beyond the nuclear family.
Nursery care- our nursery volunteers are able to provide care and spiritual guidance to even the youngest of children during the sermon (children will be formally released to this time). Caregivers must fill out a nursery form when leaving their child/ren with the volunteers for the first time. Please remember to come pick up your child before communion.
Circle Time- Children who are old enough to sit and listen for 5 minutes have the option of participating in Circle Time during the sermon. The children are currently meeting in the cafe area and being led to the side yard by volunteers, who will then play games, sing songs, give snacks, and teach a short lesson. Caregivers should fill out a nursery form so that their child/ren can participate.
Children’s Learning Time- During the sermon, caregivers of children ages 4-10 may choose to send them to the atrium for a time of activities, learning, and reflection. Please communicate any allergies to the volunteers, as snacks are served, and we sometimes go outside (bees, pollen). Please remember to pick up your child/ren before communion.
Communion- The Open Door leaves to families the decision about whether their child/ren are ready to partake in communion. The Open Door leadership is available to meet with you to discuss this, if you have questions. In addition, beginning in the Fall of 2010, 11-13 year olds will have a class to help them understand communion (among other aspects of worship) and prepare them to make this decision, if they have not yet started communion.
If your child is not ready for communion, s/he may still come forward with you. Simply ask the servers to bless your child/ren rather than administering communion.
