Children’s Worship
On the Sundays that the children begin the morning in the Parish House, our time together includes a 12-15 minute Children’s Worship service. Children’s Worship, separate and distinct from the worship in the Meeting House, serves several purposes, including building community among the children, encouraging faith development through experiencing spirituality, establishing common elements of UU worship as familiar and comfortable, and, not least, practicing appropriate worship behaviors.
Our Children’s Worship follows a familiar plan, with variations. The basic structure remains the same from week to week, which provides ritual and stability. Within the framework variations allow us to explore different themes, try different ways to worship, and maintain interest and participation.
The basic framework:
Opening Hymn: #361 Enter, Rejoice and Come In (voices & rhythm instruments)
Opening Words: brief statement of today’s theme
Chalice Lighting
Story or Responsive Reading
Spoken Meditation or Silent Meditation
Time for Sharing
Message/Closing Words
Extinguishing the Chalice
Closing Hymn
Rev. Anita and I talk about the worship themes ahead of time, and often the topic addressed in the Children’s Worship is related to or somehow coordinates with the theme of the Meeting House worship.
