I am excited to share some changes coming to our worship services this fall. For some years we have offered a Sunday morning service in the Parish Hall designed around children and young families. Attendance at this service has dwindled since the Covid pandemic. Some of our families have migrated to the 10 a.m. service in church, and their children have taken a more active part in the liturgy. Additionally, we have lost the leadership of Fr. Ray, so it seems the season for the parish hall service has ended and we plan to more intentionally integrate children into the principal
10 a.m. service beginning September 15th. We’re looking forward to having our children and families take on meaningful roles such as readers, ushers, singers, and acolytes. We will be inviting the children up to the altar at Communion time to experience the Eucharist up close. We are also creating a ‘soft space’ for infants and toddlers in the church so families can worship together. These initiatives will enhance the worship experience for our children and bind us closer together as a community of faith. We are committed to making our church a welcoming place where everyone, no matter how young or young at heart, can grow spiritually and be fully engaged. Hearing young voices laugh and cry are outward signs of nurturing faith in the generations following. Please join me in making families feel welcome, especially those with young children. As Jesus teaches in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” If you would like to know how you can help secure the future of our church through our children’s ministry program, please contact Jessica Potter.