We LOVE kids at Gloria Dei! Children are welcome in all aspects of worship and community life — wiggles, noises, questions and all!
Gloria Dei prioritizes ministry with children and cultivates an environment where children feel welcome and at home. Services are on Sundays at 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. with Sunday school at 10:00 a.m. There are Wednesday evening activities as well. All are welcome! You are invited to check it out!
Sunday School March 10th
Gloria Dei is a welcoming community of faith where all people can know God’s love and support each other as we grow in faith together. All are welcome! For more information or to help out please contact Deacon Beth Tobin. Information about classes is listed below. Please meet in the following classroom spaces and places.
Infants – 23 months: Please meet upstairs in Room 215, for “Thank You, God, for Everything”
Two & Three Year-olds: Please meet the nursery for the story “God’s Love is for All.”
Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten: Please meet upstairs in the Godly Play Room, Room 207, for the story of The Faces of Easter.
Grades 1-5: Please meet in the Preschool for the Judges Rotation Gideon Workshop.
Grades 6-8: Please meet upstairs in the Sheep Pen, Room 217.
Grades 9-12: Please meet upstairs in Room 206.
Ways to use your gifts in Ministry to Children & Families:
• Be a Shepherd (Shepherds do not teach. They support learning, community building, and provide pastoral care for children.)
• Be part of an Education Support Team
• Collect & Count the Sunday school offering on Sunday mornings.
• Be part of the Godly Play Team working with PreK & K.
• Be part of the Sunbeams Team working with Three Year olds.
In March children in Sunday School will be learning about……
• Our class for infants will be continuing learning about “God Made Everything” the story of Creation.
• Two and three year-olds will explore the concept that Jesus is with them everywhere they go and that God’s love is for all.
• Children in Godly Play for PreK and K will explore the stories in the series, “The Faces of Easter” that walk through the life of Jesus leading up to his death and resurrection.
• Grades 1-5 will be learning about the time of the Judges in the Old Testament and how God works through each one of us to encourage one another and share God’s love with others. Encourage children as you see them putting their gifts of physical strength to work on March 17, as they help to spruce up our building!
• Middle School students will be learning about various women in ministry, including several role models from the Bible.
• High School students will finish their study on gratitude and begin their study about forgiveness.
Part of the baptismal promises we make as individuals and as a congregation are to teach our children and youth about the word of God. There are many ways to help with these promises and help is always needed. Be part of the growing number of volunteers helping with this vibrant ministry with children, youth, and families. It feels so good to help. Not only do you bless others, but you get blessed in return. Help with a one-time event, for a few weeks, behind the scenes, or for the year! There’s an option that fits your schedule, and activities that will bring you joy.
Children in Worship:
Children of all ages are welcome to participate in all parts of worship, including receiving communion. Please feel free to talk with Deacon Beth or our pastors with any questions you or your children have. When children are in fourth grade there is a special time of learning about communion with Deacon Beth (one of our Milestone Ministries).
To parents of Young Children: Relax! 😎
God put the wiggle in children; don’t feel you have to suppress those wiggles in God’s house.
- Consider sitting toward the front in worship where it is easier for your little ones to engage.
- Quietly explain the parts of the service and actions of the pastors, musicians and leaders.
- Sing the hymns and songs, pray and voice the responses. Children learn behavior by mimicking you.
- If you have to leave the worship space with your child, feel free to do so, but please come back. As Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.”
- Worship activity bags are available and are located across from the restrooms. Children are invited to “build” their own bag with items of their choice to support their worship experience.
- At the time of this writing nursery care is not yet available post-covid. Infants and young children are most certainly welcome in worship. Noises and all.
- The entrance to the main sanctuary has a nursery cart offering some extra wiggle room for children when needed.
Click here for More Information about Sunday School and how to Register.