SUNDAY MORNINGS FOR KIDS! 

Children of all ages are welcome! Summit Kids uses the Godly Play curriculum for engaging, faith-filled learning designed especially for ages 3½-12.

Babies and toddlers are lovingly included, too.


For your child’s safety, all volunteers in the children’s ministry undergo a background check prior to working with the children, and two volunteers are present at all times.

 

Summer sundays

Children are welcomed and begin worship in the sanctuary with their families.

  • A play area attended by volunteers is available in the sanctuary throughout the service.

  • After passing of the peace, children are invited to the Youth Room for a story, snack and fun activity

  • Children may remain with their families for the entire service if they prefer.

We welcome the sounds, questions, and joyful presence of children in worship!

 
 

Making meaning through story, wonder, and play. Nurturing spiritual lives by honoring the centrality, competency, and capacity of children. Learn more!


Sunday Mornings at 10:30 am (Doors open at 10:15)
in the “Choir Room”
Contact: Alexis Sterbentz

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Godly Play was first developed in the USA by Jerome Berryman within a youth work context. It has developed into powerful tool in both churches and schools as a way of telling bible stories. It has strong links with the Montessori approach to education.

Godly Play is a way of creating time and space for children to be, not just to do and is about process rather than product.

Key elements of Godly Play are:

  • Space - a safe, child-oriented environment, somewhere to be and to think

  • Process - open, exploring, valuing questions, discovering truth, freedom to face difficulties, developing the language of spirituality

  • Imagination - playful, exploring both the light and the dark, opening channels for deepening spirituality

  • Relationships - between children, between adults and children, equality within community, mutual learning

  • Intimacy - valuing self and others, respecting autonomy, inclusive, looking for the good in people

  • Trust - faith in the power of story, valuing silence, , valuing each person’s spirituality and vulnerability, allowing power to move around the circle and people to take responsibility for their actions and words

What happens in a Godly Play session?

  • Children are welcomed into the space and given time to become quiet.

  • They listen to a story, told in a circle using objects and artifacts. Children are drawn into the story as everyone including the storyteller looks at the objects and artifacts as the story is told.

  • The story is explored using open questions and discussion, allowing plenty of time for thinking. Be prepared for long silences!

  • Children then respond to what they have heard using a free choice of materials, e.g. art materials, small world materials, mark-making materials, or they may just wish to sit and think. They can also use the props to retell the story for themselves.

  • Ideally the session ends with a simple ‘feast’, i.e. something to eat and drink together in the circle.