Much of children’s faith development is “caught” rather than taught. Relationships with adults who are also growing in faith, opportunities to practice faith in childlike ways, to experience belonging, and to join the people of God in worship will go much further to forming faith in the life of a child than simply direct instruction alone. A Milestone Plan for faith formation organizes all our ministry with children and families around seven Faith Milestones. These are rites of passage that typically occur within the context of our church for children between the ages of birth and fifth grade. Each milestone is accompanied by three elements: Equipping, Church Celebration, and Family Celebration. On this webpage, you will find a brief description of each milestone and resources to help you as a parent to shepherd your child through the milestone.
Baptism
We baptize children of at least one believing parent to recognize them as members of the visible church and to celebrate God’s love and faithfulness to give these children the gift of growing up as a part of the people of God. We also baptize older children with a profession of faith, for parents who choose not to baptize their children as infants or who come to the church later in a child’s life. Interested in Baptism? Print this form and turn it in to the church office and someone will contact you.
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WeeWorship
Our nursery serves children birth through age four. This means that many parents use the year after a child turns four to transition their child to the worship service. Some children are ready to stay in a full worship service right away, others stay for increasingly longer times as the year progresses, only going to the nursery during the sermon. We want to support you as you make this transition together. On fifth Sundays, children age 4-6 are invited to attend a Worship Workshop during the sermon. Parents are provided with resources & ideas for continuing their learning at home. Our next Worship Workshop will take place during the sermon at the 9am service on July 31, 2022.
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Welcomed To Worship
As children develop skills of reading and longer attention spans, children are invited to apply their skills & knowledge to attending and participating in a worship service. Our next Worshipping Together class will be offered during January 2024.
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Explore the Bible
Children are encouraged to apply the skills & curiosity they are developing throughout the week to their life with God. This is a great time for Parents to give children their own Bible, and encourage them to read it at home. Our first Explore the Bible Event will be on August 28, 2022! More details to come.
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Serve the Church
Children ages 7 and up are invited to use their gifts and talents to serve God’s people. Children become apprentices to adults and gradually gain experience leading worship and serving in the church. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
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Receive Communion
Children are invited to “come to the table” with Jesus. We partner with parents to lead children through a series of conversations & experiences to prepare them for communion. Classes are designed for children in 3rd & 4th grade to attend with an adult. Our next class will be offered in 2024. Request more information here.
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Live the Mystery
Children are equipped to embrace study & wonder as spiritual practices in preparation for the next stage of their faith journey. Parents are equipped to serve as companions for faith formation during the stage of “searching faith,” which often comes in high school. This faith milestone is in development. If you are interested in helping to develop this milestone, please email Lindsey.