A Note from the Pastor re: Children's Ministries

The future and sustainability of the church depends on engaging people of all ages, including children. At present, we do not have enough children attending Sunday mornings to be able to sustain a Children’s Church school program. Children come to church to participate in a family activity but equally importantly to be with their peers and pals. The most impactful experience most children have with the church is when they attend Youth camp. That’s where they build friendships and begin their relationship with God and the church. In the coming year, rather than attempt a Sunday morning children’s church school, we will be having a monthly children’s activity, mostly on Fridays and Saturdays, where kids can come and bring their friends (and siblings) for fun and fellowship in a variety of activities that we hope will excite and engage them. We want to provide a safe, loving atmosphere that will help our children continue to build the relationships that are made at camp and in the congregation. We also want to host activities that they will invite their friends to, so that they are exposed to the kind of community that we are. The monthly activities will be posted on the Calgary website and in the weekly emails, and children or families that want to be directly contacted to be informed of activities can have their email address added to a specific Children’s Program email group. Click here to add your name to this list. This will be maintained by our communications team.
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Congregational Ties to Children

Along with children-centred activities, we also plan to have some inter-generational activities so that relationships are nurtured between all ages. One of our plans is to publicize individual personal activities that our children participate in so that available congregational participants can come out and support them. These will include sports games, music and dance recitals and other activities. Where possible, we’ll combine them with a group meal or gathering before or after the activity. (pizza place, Tim Hortons, etc.) We will continue to encourage families to bring their children to our 11:00 a.m. Sunday service and participate. We will provide things for the children so that church is a positive, enjoyable experience. If you have other ideas or suggestions, please pass them on to Parker at parker@communityofchrist.ca, who will communicate them to the organizers.

Doug Hayden, Pastor