Relax. Your family  is important here.
Let the suggestions contained in this flier help you relax and appreciate the children who are present.  Remember, the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. We have a commitment to help children worship.  While they may not always understand what is going on, they probably understand more than we realize.  By our attitude, they can understand that this is  a place where they are loved and accepted. The worship service can provide an excellent opportunity for parents to be involved in the spiritual nurturing of their children.  Talk with them about the service. Explain what is happening.  Share your enthusiasm and excitement about being part of St. Paul’s.

Suggestions for the Parents

• Prepare your children for what will happen in church.  Make a point of knowing the Gospel story beforehand and telling it to them so they have something to anticipate.
• On your way to St. Paul’s: in the car try to calm down as a family and get into a peaceful mode.VReview your ground rules on the way.  No whining, no loud talking, no walking around during the service.
• Talk about what people or events need our prayers and might be included during the Prayers of the People.
• Arrive at church in plenty of time to take the children to the bathroom and get settled before the service  begins.
• Infant and toddler care is provided at the Sunday 9:00 & 11:00 am services.  Ask the usher to direct you if you need to bring your child to the nursery during the service.

• Just inside the front doors, is a box of clipboards , crayons and a child’s version of the Gospel story in pictures.  Make sure you give each child one not only to occupy them during the service but also to familiarize them with the story.
• Sit in the front pews.  Children who can see what’s going on will feel more included
• in the ceremonies. 
• If possible, seat children with an adult between them.
• Introduce your children to people who are sitting nearby.
• Allow your children to speak for themselves when adults engage them in conversation.
• Share the bulletin with your child at eye level and encourage them to sing along.
• Teach and encourage each child to participate in praying the Lord’s Prayer, making the sign of the cross, saying the responses, such as “And also with you”, passing the peace and saying “Amen”.
• Allow your children to participate in giving an offering by sharing some of their pennies in the alms basin as it comes around.
• Children learn how to worship by participating.  Teach your children what to watch for, what is taking place and when to respond in unison.
• Baptized children are invited to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist if parents feel comfortable about the child’s readiness.  Feel free to discuss this with one of the clergy.
• For small children, carry quiet toys in a bag for emergency diversions, as it is hard for them to sit still for long.  Allow small children to sit or kneel on the floor.After the Service:
  
• On your way home and during the rest of the week talk about the worship experience.  “That’s like what we heard at St. Paul’s last Sunday”.  “Do you remember the Gospel story you heard?”
• Pray a prayer of grace at mealtime.  Pray morning and night prayers with your children.  Include some of the hymns we sing at church or parts of the prayers used in worship in your family prayer life at home.

• On your way home and during the rest of the week talk about the worship experience. “That’s like what we heard at St. Paul’s last Sunday”. “Do you remember the Gospel story you heard?”
• Pray a prayer of grace at mealtime. Pray morning and night prayers with your children. Include some of the hymns we sing at church or parts of the prayers used in worship in your family prayer life at home.

Suggestions for the Congregation
Remember, at the Baptism of these children we promised as a community to help them grow in the Christian life.

• With the permission of the parents, invite a child with whom you are acquainted to sit with you during worship on occasion when the parents are present.
• Hand the alms basin to children, not over their heads.
• During the passing of the Peace, greet children as well as their parents.  Say your name and ask for theirs.
• During reception time, introduce children by name.
• Compliment children who have listened attentively during the service.

Other Resources
Godly Play is an approach to working with children and the presence of God in their lives.  Intended for children ages 4-11, it gives children a vocabulary to describe their innate religious understanding of the holy.  They are told Bible stories and learn about liturgical action and liturgical feasts.  They learn to relate these to their personal experiences.  Godly Play is experiential, graphic, hands on, and prayerful.  This curriculum is taught to our 4 and 5 year olds in Sunday school.  Materials regarding “early communion” are also available.  Material on the program can be obtained through the church office.