Gathering for Worship


Guidelines for Families

We are pleased that you have come to join us in worship.  Here are some guidelines to inform you of how you can help all of us enter into a time of reflection and prayer.

Preparing for Worship

As you enter the community room be sure to do the following:

  • Turn off your cell phone
  • Find a seat
  • Finish your coffee 

Do enjoy conversation with each other, but when the children enter we ask that you enter into silence, set the coffee or whatever is in your hands aside, and follow the same guidelines that we have for children.

During Worship

  • The children have nothing in their hands. We ask that you do the same.
  • When asked to stand and sing, the children do so. Stand and sing with us.
  • The children are expected to be still and focused. This is something we ask of families also.  If you have a young child this requires some decision making on your part.

Because this is worship we ask you not to photograph or video the students. If you wish to take a photograph of your child on the day their birthday is celebrated, we ask that you do so while your child is up front and before the candle is lit.

Younger Siblings in Worship

We are happy to have younger siblings, but there are stages younger children go through that make Lower School worship difficult for them or their older siblings.  Noise and movement are often distracting to Lower School students.  Some younger children, however, can sit on a parent’s lap for 20 minutes and listen, but we know that much of what they might see is blocked for them.  For this reason Lower School worship is often a stretch for a young child and may require a parent to make a different plan for a season.  


Please consider the following:

  • Younger siblings need to be close to the parent and observed by them to maintain a quiet environment.  Teachers and staff are focused on your Lower School-aged child.  Children can be seated in laps or directly next to the parent, but we ask that children not wander in the room.  If your child has a need to wander, then attending worship for singing and leaving right after the candle is lit might be a better plan for now.
  • If you have a child also attending The Nest, you should make a decision as to where you wish to worship and choose one setting, but not move from The Nest to the Lower School.  Additional people walking in or out of the Community Room, even for the last five minutes, create distraction for those trying to worship.
  • If the younger sibling is three or four and both you and your child would like to attend Nest worship we would be happy for you to join us there. Many of the same guidelines apply but the setting is more intimate, the presentation shorter, and it allows young children greater visibility.  The topic may be different but many of the songs are the same.
  • If your child needs a snack, follow the same guide as your coffee cup, before or after but not during worship.
  • If your child is fussy or noisy do walk out into the hallway and away from the doors to the center hall.  If you find that you need to do this frequently it may be a sign that your younger child is not ready to stay for the full worship time
  • If you are still wondering if your child is distracting or noisy, ask Mrs. Miltner who is usually at the door or your child’s teacher later.  If a staff member does approach you, we hope you will be gracious and understanding about her request.

Leaving Worship

We allow the younger children to leave first.  Because parents may be called away unexpectedly, to avoid disappointment and to allow students to carry the theme of worship with them into their class as they leave, we ask you to make your goodbyes ahead of time in the classroom.  The children have been taught this also and waves from parents can be distracting to them as they move into the next part of their day.
Once the children leave parents are welcome to converse with each other before they leave.

As you can see, our goal is to set aside time and space for our Lower School students to enjoy worship. As with all of our work and play there is an intentionality about what serves this age group best.  We want families to join in, not as observers, but as those who fully participate.