Wondering what the PrayGround is?

Posted on Nov 30, 2023 by Bev Friedlander in BLOG | Tags: , ,

Wondering what the PrayGround is in the Sanctuary? Sometimes you are very still and silent, keenly intent on absorbing God’s word to you. Other times, perhaps you’re fidgety, and possibly want to play while you pray. Maybe you’re scrolling your phone to post awesome notes on FB about St. Andrew. Or texting someone a phrase that is meaningful to you. Maybe you bring knitting to worship or a notebook to jot down your thoughts. However you worship, you were taught when to play, when to pray, when to talk, when to be still and when to be silent. Kids are not much different. They are just learning all the “whens.” So—the PrayGround is a learning ground. Everyone has a responsibility for passing on our faith. The PrayGround is one opportunity. Please follow the link for information and helps, or pick up a brochure to learn more about worshiping with children and the PrayGround.

How do we include children?
What is a PrayGround?
When can the children play?
How can you help our children?
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Mt 19: 14
Christ is calling St. Andrew Presbyterian Church
to be a beacon of peace and love
where everybody belongs. Vision—SAPC

How do we include children?

To be a community where everybody belongs means helping the youngest disciples learn and grow in faith in age-appropriate ways. We are excited to provide a nursery for the parents who bring their babies and toddlers, a Church School experience at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays, paths of participation in mission, and opportunities for older children to lead worship. We have also added a new experience for toddlers through 2nd grade as we are experimenting with how to give the little ones a space to learn during worship services.

What is a PrayGround?

This designated worship space welcomes and teaches our smallest ones about serving God through worship. In the PrayGround are age-appropriate activities for quiet play that allows them to experience the people of God praising, praying, growing and going in the Word. Children learn by listening, observing, and joining in the activities of worship. They
• hear the “language” of worship and the Word and Sacraments,
• process what they hear as something they will do because they have something to do with their hands,
• experience and enjoy the rituals and repetition.

When can the children play?

On most Sundays, we ask children to remain with their adults until the Word With Children, to learn in the pews about the rhythm of the liturgy. After the W/C, kids from toddler to about 8 years old can enjoy worshipping in the PrayGround. Third Graders up are encouraged to stay in the pews, and can use the worship bags or items they have brought from home during the remainder of the service.

How can you help our children?

• Their adults are encouraged to sit nearby to monitor and guide children to use
  • whisper voices,
  • to minimize walking the aisles,
  • ensure they can see the activities of worship at the pulpit and choir,
  • be kind to others (including the adults who are listening throughout the sanctuary),
  • recognize and rejoice that this is their church as much as it is the grown-ups’.
• For 3rd Graders and up,
  • adults can encourage them to bring their Bible to worship and find the scripture reading,
  • help them learn to use the hymnal (yes, even though words are on the screens), and
  • to stand and sit when invited,
  • recite the Lord’s Prayer and the creeds, ask the pastor about leading worship.
• Other adults are encouraged to support the parents and children by
  • getting to know the kids, offering to be a child’s adult for the morning,
  • by remembering children are learning and growing so they will act immature,
  • recognizing that we don’t know particular behavioral needs of every child so our patience is important as they learn how to worship,
  • compliment parents often for showing up and leading by example,
  • compliment the kids for coming to praise the Lord.

Please note, learning to worship God is a life-long adventure. Setting the right tone begins at a time of life when active engagement with the world is the path to learning. We want our children to have a hands-on faith and that begins with a hands-on experience of being included.

Jesus fed 5000 men plus the women and children. Jesus said let kids come and don’t hinder them. The PrayGround is one way we feed these lambs and let them come to Jesus.

Thank you for modeling the Way of Christ for the next generation. Thanks be to God for the faith of the children.

Peace,
RevBev

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