Kids & Youth

We love our kids and view them as a vital part of our community. Children’s ministry isn’t an add-on; we see our kids as full recipients of the hope, healing, and hospitality we receive through Christ and as fully able to extend that hope, healing, and hospitality to others in unique and incredible ways.

Programming for children from birth through fourth grade is offered on Sunday mornings. Oak Youth meet for discipleship and fellowship at different times throughout the week.

Baby Nursery: birth – not yet 2

Babies are lovingly cared for by our dedicated volunteers during the entirety of the service. Parents can drop kids off in the children’s wing as early as 9:45 or any time during the service. Babies are also welcome to spend the service with their parents. We are not offended by the joyful noise of kids!

Toddler Nursery: 2 – 3 years

Kids age 2 and 3 have their own nursery space in which they learn about Jesus through monthly play-based units centered around themes of God’s loving care for all creation; including them! Parents can drop kids off as early as 9:45 or any time during the service. Children are also welcome in the service with their parents.

Godly Play: 4 – 6 years

Children aged 4-6 meet in their own Godly Play room where they wonder and learn alongside Oak Kids volunteers. Kids begin the service with their families so that they can participate in the singing with the rest of the congregation. Then kids are dismissed with their teachers to go to the children’s wing. We welcome parents to join us in the Godly Play room to help their children adjust or to see what we’re all about. The Godly Play approach, based on Montessori principles, helps participants to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language, and to enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play. Kids are, of course, welcome to stay with their families during the service, too.

Godly Play: 7 years – 4th grade

Kids ages seven through fourth grade participate in their own Godly Play circle just next door where they worship and wonder alongside Oak Kids volunteers. Like the 4-6 year olds, the older kids begin the service with their families and are dismissed at the passing of the peace to go to the children’s wing with their teachers. The Godly Play approach, based on Montessori principles, helps participants to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language, and to enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play. Kids are, of course, welcome to stay with their families during the service, too.

Safety 

We take children’s safety very seriously here at Oak Church. Each volunteer must submit to a personal history inquiry, including a background check. In addition, all volunteers complete a safety training that includes information on abuse prevention. To learn more, please read our Safety Manual.

Volunteer 

There are lots of opportunities to love kids here at Oak Church! In addition to our nursery and Godly Play, there are also periodic special events that provide other opportunities to help out on a more short-term basis. To learn more, please contact Pastor Meg.

Oak Kids at Home

During the stay-at-home orders of 2019-2020 Pastor Meg and Oak Kids volunteers recorded Godly Play stories and read-alouds for children to enjoy while worshiping at home. You can still find them on Oak Church’s youtube channel.