Children of all ages and families of all kinds are celebrated here at Church of the Apostles! We believe play and wonder are vitally important ways to experience and know God and seek to center this experience in our worship and offerings. Inspired by the conviction that our children are active participants in the spiritual journey from birth and have as much to teach us about God as we have to teach them, our Kids' and Family Ministry focuses on encouraging children and families to lean in to the innate spirituality of children, focusing beyond the standard "Sunday School" offerings.
These four areas of focus include:
Engagement: Discovering sacred stories and Christian Tradition
Encounter: Honoring our unique relationships with God
Embodiment: Living out our faith in everyday Life
Exploration: Providing tools for spiritual practice and reflection
Currently, all of our children's programming takes place during our weekly worship service, with occasional events happening before the service. When you arrive, stop at the welcome table to pick up an activity box. Families are invited to sit wherever they'd like, though we do have a special spot reserved in the back corner for families with kids who like to move and play throughout the service—just look for the colorful flag and friendly faces! We also have a separate parent-supervised area for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers who might like to make a bit more noise during the service that features speakers and windows so parents can still participate in the liturgy! Find it up the stairs near the entry, next to the "Littles Loft" sign..
During the service, kids of all ages are invited to visit the Kids' Space corner to participate in the liturgy in their own way. The Kids' Space corner features a library, a kid-friendly prayer altar, a coloring table, and additional toys and tools related to worship.
In addition to these offerings, our regular monthly programming includes:
First Sunday of the Month: In-service Children's Moment
Second Sunday of the Month: COTA Littles Breakout Session (toddlers and preschoolers accompanied by a caregiver)
Third Sunday of the Month: COTA Crew Breakout Session (children in kindergarten through fifth grade)
Fourth Sunday of the Month: COTA Vota Breakout session (our confirmation series for middle school students, occurring before the service)
Questions? Contact Lacy Clark Ellman, our Kids' and Family Ministry Coordinator, at kids@apostleschurch.org.
Find resources to support faith formation at home during the current liturgical season below.