Sometimes people talk about kids as "the church of tomorrow," and that's true, but kids are also an important part of the church of today. We can't help but think that God is just as happy to hear the sincere prayers of a five-year-old as those of a fifty-five-year-old. So, we try to provide age-appropriate opportunities for our kids to know that they are a vital part of the church of today.
At the entrance to the school in which we meet, you'll find our children's ministry information table. On it, you'll find all kinds of useful information about our children's ministries. This is also the place where you sign your child(ren) into one of our programs. You should receive a name tag and some instructions as how children's ministry at The River works.
Piddlers n' Paddlers
Who: Newborn to 2/3 years of age
Where to go: Just go through the southeast doors of the gym and you're right there.
When: For the entire length of the worship service (a child may come in at any time during the service).
The purpose of our Nursery Ministry is to provide the best possible care for children between the ages of 0-36 months. To accomplish this, our staff is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment in which all of the relevant needs of our infant visitors are met. A secondary goal is to allow the parents of these infants to feel completely at ease leaving their children in the friendly and competent care of our nursery staff..
Island Time
Who: Pre-school and Kindergarten
Where to go: Your children will be dismissed through the southwest doors of the gym to meet with their teacher.
When: From the time children are dismissed (about half way through the service) until it's conclusion. Children may join Island Time from the nursery (where they have been playing or from the worship service service where they have been participating with their families. We encourage children to participate in worship as soon as they are able so that they too can experience the wonder and joy of being in a relationship with God and His people through worship. About once every 6 weeks, we will all worship and learn together with an intergenerational theme and message. On these occasions there will be no Island Time, however children are always welcome to join the Piddlers and Paddlers.
At around age 3 or 4, many children are ready for something more than nursery. However, they're not quite ready to join the 'big kids' in Adventureland. Recognizing this, we've created a special ministry for 3 to 5 year olds (Kindergarten) called Island Time. Island Time features Bible stories and activities geared especially for this age group. Caring leaders and young assistants work with the children as they together learn, have fun and experience God's love and faithfulness.
Adventureland
Who: Children who are in Grade 1 through 5.
Where to go:
Your children will be dismissed through the
southwest doors of the gym to meet with their teacher in the
library.
When: From the
time children are dismissed (about half way through the service)
until it's conclusion.
About once every
6 weeks, we will all worship and learn together with an
intergenerational theme and message. On these occasions there will
be no Adventureland.
Adventureland is an interactive and fun learning experience for
children in grades 1-5. Each week children
join in the Fantastic Adventure In Trusting Him (F.A.I.T.H.) through
creative storytelling, drama and music. Then children move into
small groups and learning centres with kid-loving leaders who help
them experience, reflect on and apply the lessons to their own
lives.
If you have any questions about The River children's ministries,
please contact
Heather Nesbit.