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Plus, here's an excellent blog on what to do "When Church is Boring." Click on the title to check it out!

Should I bring my kids to church?

Absolutely!

We love having children in worship! And we understand that kids can't be expected to act like small 30-year-olds for an hour. So it's ok when they make a little noise, or get restless. On the other hand, we also understand that some noise/activity levels make it very difficult for other members to hear and participate. So we ask everyone to pay attention to loving each other and being mindful of each other's needs. 

Here are a few tips that help make worship more enjoyable for kids and families:

• Sit up front! Kids are little liturgy sponges, and like to participate in worship--but they need to be able to see what's happening. Feel free to sit in the front rows. If kids become restless, you can go to the quiet room at the back for a break. It's ok to move in and out of the worship space as you need to.
  
• Try bringing a "Sunday Bag" with you, filled with books or quiet toys that they only play with on Sundays in church. Please avoid electronic toys or toys that make a lot of noise--such as things with wheels. There are also Quiet Bags and books on the shelves right by the door where you enter.
• It's ok to bring snacks, but we encourage you to use snacks to relieve hunger, not boredom.
• Engage your children in your worship! Have them help you find page numbers in the hymnal, sing the hymns with them (they can often learn the refrains), show them how to fold their hands during prayers, teach them the sign of the cross. 
• Teach them the prayer responses, and help them say them with you. (If they come in a beat behind the rest of us, that's ok with us!)
• If you take your little one to Sunday School, you'll note that there's a Little Library on the lower level in the Gathering Room. You're welcome to check out a book for your child to read during worship.

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