Sunday Morning Communities
We offer age appropriate communities for infants (beginning at 3 months old) to children in the fifth grade.
Infants (3 months to 18 months)
Our purpose in this community is to provide infants with a compassionately nurturing introduction to church that extends parents’ love, protection, and care. The room is well equipped with age appropriate toys and comforting adult volunteers.
Toddlers and Younger Preschoolers (18 months to 3 years)
Children of this active age are given a loving, safe place where they are free to develop their personalities and grow in their understanding of God with age-appropriate guidance. There is a lot of time for free play.
Godly Play Preschool (3 years to 5 years )
Children are welcomed into the unfolding story of God in the Bible and in their lives through stories, food, play, and one another. A hands-on, child directed response curriculum that is based on Montessori methods is used to tell crucial Biblical stories. This community is appropriate for preschoolers three year olds and older who are used to a “circle time” experience, are becoming able to sit for a story time, and can articulate simple observations.
Godly Play Grade School (K-1st grade and 2nd-3rd grade) *
Children continue to be welcomed into the stories of God through the Montessori based curriculum, but more emphasis is placed on group discussion, the discipline of silence, and personal response. Children are given opportunities for prayer as a group.
4th-5th Grade Community *
This community exists to help children begin the transition to pre-adolescence and youth ministry by continuing to offer some of the Godly Play curriculum along with other teaching styles. Emphasis continues to be placed on discussion and personal response. Children are given opportunities for service (every 2 months) and prayer as a group.
* Kids in these communities meet for musical worship together for the first 15 minutes of the service.
All Church Family Services
The River Church Community has quarterly All Church Family Services, when Kids’ Community moves into the ballroom and children are with parents, guardians, and hosts for the morning. These services usually last one hour and are designed to be accessible to the children. Please note that children are welcome in the ballroom on any Sunday, and that a play area is available in the back of the room.