Children at Summerleas
Children at Summerleas
We think of ourselves as a big family so we love having kids amongst us! We love the noise and joy they bring and love for them to participate in the service.
Gospel Communities
At Summerleas, we want our Gospel Communities (GCs) to be places where children experience gospel centred, relationships and grow in their love and knowledge of Jesus. We believe that the best way for young people to grow as Christians is through them loving, serving, and relating to a variety of people from little babies right through to the elderly. To facilitate this our GCs work hard at including kids in GC life. For more info on why and how kids engage with Gospel communities click here.
At our Sunday services we provide the following age appropriate programs for children:
Crèche
Age: 8 months—3 yrs old.
During crèche, children have a short prayer and Bible learning time on the mat, followed by free-play. At Summerleas, we see crèche as more than just 'child care'. Like all of our ministries we see it as an opportunity to build relationships. We want Summerleas kids to never remember a time where they were not engaged in Gospel-centred, organic relationships with others in the church family!
Summerleas Kidlettes & Summerleas Kids
During the sermon the children go to Summerleas Kidlettes (3 years old-Kinder) and Summerleas Kids (Prep-Grade 3). They spend time in their groups learning about the Bible. Our leaders over both programs use the 'Teaching Little Ones' curriculum. Teaching Little Ones aims to teach the Word of God to children in a meaningful and relevant way that not only increases head knowledge but helps them focus on a relationship with their creator. Children will also do singing and activities that focus on building good relationships with each other and their leaders.
Our Children’s Ministry Leaders
We take the safety of children very seriously so all leaders involved in our children's ministries hold Working with Vulnerable People cards and undergo ChildSafe training.
Kids in church
When kids are ready (normally around grade 4), we encourage them to remain with the rest of the congregation for the preaching. They are provided with a worksheet designed to help them learn to listen to the teaching within a helpful structure. Our Pastor tries to make sermons accessible to young people and gives prompts during the talk to help your child listen and record the essential information.
If you would like any more information, please feel free to contact Bernard Cane: bernard@summerleaschurch.org