Welcome to our Prayground
WHAT: This is a “soft space" in a corner of the church - basically a rocking chair or two, some blankets or cushions, soft rug, and maybe some ground small chairs for children that provides a comfortable place for little children to experience. See a few pictures below.
WHY: This helps carry out our mission of inclusivity and being a welcoming place for families and little ones to grow their faith. This does not negate the need for a nursery or Children’s Church; rather it supplements our existing spaces and programs.
WHERE: We will run a pilot of the Pray Ground concept on the left side of church where there is already a small carpeted area (where the Praise Band played a few years ago).
WHO: This space is for young children (primarily babies and toddlers, at least to start) and their families - or anyone who would like to experience the service in a soft space corner of the church.
WHEN: Our plan is to start the pilot in April after Easter Sunday in time for our next play date Sunday (April 30). We can run the pilot through the summer and solicit feedback and input on what worked well, what didn’t, and what would we like to adjust.
HOW: Joe has already secured a Thrivent Action Team grant to purchase the bigger items and have been collecting donated items for the space. Amanda Honda and Joe have been taking the lead to pull this together, leveraging gently used items from other church families or the local community. They are planning to use materials and items that naturally blend into the space.
Want to read more about it? There are some excellent articles online from other churches who have these.
https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/praygrounds-encourage-little-children-to-come
https://www.livinglutheran.org/2018/05/let-the-little-children-come/
https://graceofav.org/children-in-worship
WHY: This helps carry out our mission of inclusivity and being a welcoming place for families and little ones to grow their faith. This does not negate the need for a nursery or Children’s Church; rather it supplements our existing spaces and programs.
WHERE: We will run a pilot of the Pray Ground concept on the left side of church where there is already a small carpeted area (where the Praise Band played a few years ago).
WHO: This space is for young children (primarily babies and toddlers, at least to start) and their families - or anyone who would like to experience the service in a soft space corner of the church.
WHEN: Our plan is to start the pilot in April after Easter Sunday in time for our next play date Sunday (April 30). We can run the pilot through the summer and solicit feedback and input on what worked well, what didn’t, and what would we like to adjust.
HOW: Joe has already secured a Thrivent Action Team grant to purchase the bigger items and have been collecting donated items for the space. Amanda Honda and Joe have been taking the lead to pull this together, leveraging gently used items from other church families or the local community. They are planning to use materials and items that naturally blend into the space.
Want to read more about it? There are some excellent articles online from other churches who have these.
https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/praygrounds-encourage-little-children-to-come
https://www.livinglutheran.org/2018/05/let-the-little-children-come/
https://graceofav.org/children-in-worship
