Godskids
02-06-1997
Are Children Welcome at Worship?
A summary of children's worship practices in Anglican, Lutheran and other churches in Calgary, Alberta Canada.
- Background:
- I contacted, visited, or met with parishioners from, each of the churches on the following list. The contacts took place, for the most part, in 1997/1998. I was looking for a church home for my family, but as the list was compiled, I decided to publish it on the Internet for three reasons:
- I contacted, visited, or met with parishioners from, each of the churches on the following list. The contacts took place, for the most part, in 1997/1998. I was looking for a church home for my family, but as the list was compiled, I decided to publish it on the Internet for three reasons:
- At that time, there was no central Internet listing where one could find the service times and contact information for every Anglican church in Calgary. Many churches simply didn't see the Internet as a relevant resource. I saw it as an obvious (and essentially cost-free) means of reaching out. Thus, I included that information for anyone who hit this page with that concern as their search criteria. A more authoritative resource which has since been established is http://www.calgary.anglican.ca/Parishes/parish-index.html. (which you may wish to visit instead of this if that's what you're really looking for)
- In my visits or meetings I sought out other mothers of young children in order to get first-hand opinions from the people most affected by attitudes toward children. Many of them told me they were engaged in a similar search for a church home that truly met their needs. But, since such a search is punishingly difficult for those who are already struggling to raise spiritually health children while lacking spiritual nurture themselves, many were settling for unsatisfactory situations on the margin of acceptance in their existing congregations. I wanted to let them and other mothers like them, know what I was finding out. If indeed they were settling for the best that was practically available to them, this research could help them accept that situation. If there was a better situation for them, this research might help them find it.
- In some respects, the Internet looks a lot like the chapel door of Wittenberg Castle. Just as in the sixteenth century a subject for public discussion would routinely be posted on the church door, in the twenty-first century a subject is posted on the internet. Although the notion of intergenerational worship and mutual acceptance including children is not new, and the unhappy mothers I was talking to were not invisible, churches simply weren't engaging the issue. After I posted these pages (and they were linked for a week by Anglicans Online) I received email from people around the world, encouraging me or challenging me, letting me know of different ways that individual churches do embrace children or of programmes and consulting services available to churches to improve their inclusivity. I've received advice from Anglican priests from New Zealand to Massachussets to the Arctic; I've heard from people who have added my essays to their Children's Ministry resources and who have implemented ideas that I've proposed here. I've also heard from two Calgary priests who wanted to challenge what I'd said about their churches -- but who hadn't read any of the website. From those discussions I know that the issues did enter into word-of-mouth discussions within the diocese, too. I suspect the result of those discussions shows in those local parish websites that now describe themselves as child-friendly on their home-pages. The question remains as to what has changed beyond their websites. Since a main point of posting these listings was to generate discussion, I've put my email address in a number of places. Please use it if you want to discuss with me! (mailto: pamela@logrus.ca)
- Six years have passed since I compiled this listing. Where I have since revisited or discussed the church with parishioners I have updated the information. However, in those intervening six years there has been some discussion of children's inclusion. I've added a number of parish websites to the list below, and if you review them you may note that many sites explicitely state that they are child-welcoming and that Nursery/Sunday School are optional. If you are a mother of preschoolers who has direct experience to ground any of those statements, please email me, as your observations are what make those statements credible. You don't have to be a member, agree with me or like the church, just be frank about what's happening. The people who use this list are smart enough to draw their own conclusions.
There is nothing official about this list. The comments and ratings indicate my own impressions and those of my correspondents only. All opinions expressed are completely subjective. If they're indicative of any group, it's working mothers of the post-Boom and pre-"generation X" culture.
| 239-6966 11 Scenic Acres Gate | 13 |
Nursury: available Sunday School between services | Pastor lectured on the subject of "Welcoming Children to Worship" at the 2000 ELCIC worship conference in Cqamrose, from a well-informed and childe-affirming perspective. Congregation has an elaborate children's ministery incorporating "faith chests" for newly baptized children, which are then filled with mementos of their faith journey. Last updated 2000 - August | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? yes Prayers of the People? yes The Lord's Supper? yes Dismissal: yes |
Advent *
10:30 Blended Traditional/Contemporary Worship | * | 13 |
Nursury: available Sunday School before service (9:30) | Information contained herein derives from several visits; and from the experience of a long-time member Children are welcome from birth, even when they act like children. Many members, especially older ones, make a point of encouraging parents to bring their children regularly. Church leaders make it clear that parents and children are welcome to come to the | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? yes Prayers of the People? yes The Lord's Supper? yes Dismissal? yes |
*
9:15 | 272-1551 | 12 |
Nursury: parents room Sunday School 10:30 Service | Information contained herein derives from regular attendance When we started attending, a large mural on the outside proclaims "Let the Children Come" -- since then that church building has been sold and Emmanuel is worshipping with Saint Luke's Anglican church. Children are given the elements if they are already communicants, otherwise the Pastor encourages waiting. Liturgical nature of the service is downplayed compared to other ELCIC churches. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? yes Prayers of the People? yes The Lord's Supper? partial Dismissal: yes |
Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran *
9:30 BAS | 288-6330 | 12 |
Nursury: available Sunday School available curriculum: Whole People of God | Information contained herein derives from 2 visits to the 10:45 service Good teaching. Priest recognized and welcomed strangers. Very accepting congregation. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? yes Prayers of the People? yes The Lord's Supper? yes Dismissal? yes |
St Edmund's Anglican *
10:30 | 255-4792 | 12 |
Nursury: available Sunday School before service 9:30 | Information contained herein derives from one phone conversation with the office staff | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? yes Prayers of the People? yes The Lord's Supper? age 6+ Dismissal? yes |
*
| 249-0423 | 11 |
Nursury: available Sunday School available | Information contained herein derives from the opinion of one member | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? yes Prayers of the People? yes The Lord's Supper? after First Communion Dismissal? yes |
St Michael's *
Foothills Lutheran 10:30 | 284-1342 | 10 |
Nursury: crying room Sunday School before service curriculum: Life in Christ | Information contained herein derives from attendance at two services, conversation with the pastor's wife and with long-term members, and one phone call with the office staff. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? yes Prayers of the People? yes The Lord's Supper? BANNED Dismissal? yes |
*
Church in Canada, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada 10:00 | 242-4544 | 10 |
Nursury: available Sunday School available | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? yes Prayers of the People? yes The Lord's Supper? no Dismissal? yes |
*
Church in Canada, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada | 280-2866 | 10 |
Sunday School before service (9:45 | Information contained herein derives from the message on the church answering machine. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? yes Prayers of the People? yes The Lord's Supper? Dismissal? yes |
*
St Paul Evangelical Lutheran 11:00 | 285-1880 | 10 |
Nursury: available before service (9:45) | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? yes Prayers of the People? yes The Lord's Supper? Dismissal? yes |
*
11:15 | 242-5000 | 10 |
Sunday School: 10:00 "Bible hour" before service Nursury: available | Information contained herein derives from the Yellow Pages. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? yes Prayers of the People? yes The Lord's Supper? Dismissal? yes |
Mountain View*
9:30 | 289-8206 | 9 |
Nursury: available Sunday School after service | Information contained herein derives from one phone call with the pastor. Communion 1st & 3rd sundays. Sunday school and adult study 10:45 after coffee. 1/3 seniors, 1/3 young families, 1/3 middle-aged | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? yes Prayers of the People? yes The Lord's Supper? BANNED Dismissal? yes |
*
11:00 | 276-2955 | 9 |
Nursury: available Sunday School before service | Information contained herein derives from one phone cconversation with the pastor. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? yes Prayers of the People? yes The Lord's Supper? BANNED Dismissal? yes |
*
10:00 | 280-3579 | 9 |
Nursury: available Sunday School available curriculum: Living the Good News | Information contained herein derives from one phone call with the rector and the opinions of one member. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People? varies The Lord's Supper? yes Dismissal? yes |
*
St Matthew's Lutheran | 266-1458 | 8 |
Nursury: available Sunday School available curriculum: Life in Christ | Information contained herein derives from one phone call with the pastor. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? yes Prayers of the People? yes The Lord's Supper? BANNED Dismissal? yes |
*
10:30 BAS (1962) | 273-2686 | 8 |
Nursury: available Sunday School available | Information contained herein derives from one phone call with the church secretary. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People?no The Lord's Supper? yes Dismissal? yes |
*
| 288-4646 | 8 |
Nursury: available Sunday School after service | Information contained herein derive from one conversation with a member of the worship team Children are present for the majority of the service, and leave for Sunday school near the end of the service. Adults may join in Sunday School, meet separately or socialize. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? yes Prayers of the People? yes The Lord's Supper? ? Dismissal: no |
*
10:45 | 285-2288 | 8 |
Sunday School before service | Information contained herein derives from the Yellow Pages. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? yes Prayers of the People? yes The Lord's Supper? BANNED Dismissal? yes |
*
St Barnabus Anglican | 283-3035 | 7 |
Nursury: not optional Sunday School during service | Information contained herein derives from one phone call with church office staff, and from the church website | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community?yes Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People?no The Lord's Supper? no Dismissal: yes |
*
St Phillip's Anglican 10:30 | 243-6968 | 7 |
Nursury: crying room Sunday School not optional | Information contained herein derives from one phone call with a volunteer working in the church office. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People? no The Lord's Supper? varies week-to-week Dismissal: yes |
*
9:00 - Chinese Service | 277-4085 | 6 |
Nursury: crying room Sunday School before service | Information contained herein derives from attendance at several services, one phone conversation with the pastor, and conversations with a long-time (now lapsed) member. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? in theory Ministry of the Word? in theory Prayers of the People? in theory The Lord's Supper? BANNED Dismissal? in theory |
*
8:00 BCP Eucharist 10:30 BAS Eucharist | 244-4879 | 6 |
Nursury: available Sunday School
| Information contained herein is the opinion of a 15-year member, and from the website. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People? no The Lord's Supper?yes Dismissal? yes |
*
9:00 (German) | 262-2862 | 6 |
Nursury: crying room Sunday School before service | Information contained herein derives from one phone call with church office staff. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? no Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People? yes The Lord's Supper? BANNED Dismissal: yes |
*
St Martin's Anglican | 249-3014 | 6 |
Nursury: not optional Sunday School not optional curriculum: Living the God News | Information contained herein derives from one visit, the frank opinions of a long-time member. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People? no The Lord's Supper? yes Dismissal: yes |
*
St Andrew's Anglican 10:30 | 282-3234 | 6 |
Nursury: not optional Sunday School not optional curriculum: Whole People of God | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? festival only Ministry of the Word? festival only Prayers of the People? festival only The Lord's Supper? yes Dismissal: festival only |
*
St James Anglican | 239-0104 | 6 |
Nursury: not optional Sunday School not optional curriculum David C. Cook | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People? no The Lord's Supper? yes Dismissal: yes |
*
St Augustine Anglican | 279-3105 | 6 |
Nursury: not optional Sunday School not optional curriculum: Living the Good News | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? once per month Ministry of the Word? once per month Prayers of the People? once per month The Lord's Supper? yes Dismissal: once per month |
*
Holy Trinity Anglican | 275-3630 Data last checked 1997 - May | 6 |
Nursury: not optional Sunday School not optional curriculum: Whole People of God | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People? no The Lord's Supper? yes Dismissal: yes |
*
10:00 Alternates | 246-8123 | 6 |
Nursury: not optional Sunday School not optional curriculum: Whole People of God | Information contained herein derives from one phone call with one of the wardens, and one visit. New incumbent was installed August 1 1997. Fourth Sunday of each month is a "Family Eucharist". Vestry is expected to approve child communion in spring of 1998; prior to such approval children who are communicants elsewhere may receive but parish children generally receive a blessing instead. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community?yes Ministry of the Word? part Prayers of the People? Fourth Sundays only The Lord's Supper? no Dismissal: yes |
*
10:00 | 289-0168 | 5 |
Nursury: available Sunday School available | Information contained herein derives from one phone conversation with the rector, and from the second-hand opinions of a former member. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People? no The Lord's Supper? no Dismissal? yes |
*
Holy Cross Anglican | 289-8497 | 5 |
Nursury: available Sunday School available curriculum: previously Whole People of God | Information contained herein derives from one visit. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? no Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People? no The Lord's Supper? yes Dismissal: yes |
*
Christ Church Anglican | 243-4680 | 4 |
Nursury: not optional Sunday School not optional curriculum: new | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? yes Ministry of the Word? expelled Prayers of the People? expelled The Lord's Supper? yes Dismissal: yes |
*
9:00 BAS | 278-0001 | 4 |
Nursury: not optional Sunday School not optional curriculum: Whole People of God | Information contained herein derives from one phone call with church office staff. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? no Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People? no The Lord's Supper? yes Dismissal: yes |
*
9:30 BAS | 256-1428 | 4 |
Nursury: available Sunday School available curriculum: Virginia Theological Seminary | Information contained herein derives from one phone call with the pastor, one visit, and the opinions of long-time members. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? no Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People? no The Lord's Supper? no Dismissal: no |
*
St John's Anglican BCP | 265-5072 | 3 |
Nursury: not optional Sunday School not optional curriculum: new | Information contained herein derives from one visit phone call with church office staff. "Smells and Bells". Evensong 3rd Sundays, Prayer Book Society influence, does not use Common Lectionary Poor pointing or obscure setting, and sung gospel made mass hard to follow. Incense triggered asthma even at the back of the church. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? no Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People? no The Lord's Supper? expelled Dismissal: no |
*
| 271-0437 | 2 |
Nursury: available Sunday School available | Information contained herein is from the phone book |
*
10:00 | 274-1080 | 2 |
Nursury: available Sunday School available 9:45 | Information contained herein is from the phone book | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? no Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People? 3yrs-old and up The Lord's Supper? BANNED Dismissal: 3yrs-old and up |
*
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer Anglican | 269-1905 | 1 |
Nursury: not optional Sunday School not optional curriculum: office staff don't know | Information contained herein derives from one phone call with church office staff | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? no Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People? no The Lord's Supper? preschool and up Dismissal: no |
*
All Saints Anglican | 230-7089 | 1 |
Nursury: available Sunday School not optional curriculum: Good News Explorers | Information contained herein derives from one visit including conversation with the rector, his wife, and some members. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? no Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People? no The Lord's Supper? no Dismissal: no |
*
St Peter's Anglican BCP occasionally used at 9:30 | 252-0393 | 0 |
Nursury: not optional Sunday School not optional curriculum: Whole People of God | Information contained herein derives from one phone call with the rectora. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? no Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People? no The Lord's Supper? no Dismissal: no |
*
St Laurence Anglican | 249-6184 | 0 |
Nursury: not optional Sunday School not optional curriculum: Conservative Episcopal | Information contained herein derives from one phone call with Father Guthrie. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? expelled Ministry of the Word? expelled Prayers of the People? expelled The Lord's Supper? school-age Dismissal: yes |
*
10:30 | 244-0198 | -2 |
Nursury: not optional Sunday School not optional curriculum: St George Educational | Information contained herein derives from one phone call with church office staff, and two visits. | Children are welcome at: Gathering of the Community? no Ministry of the Word? no Prayers of the People? no The Lord's Supper? BANNED Dismissal: no |
*
First Four-square Gospel Calgary, Alberta, Canada | 250-7754 | ? |
Information contained herein derives from one visit. Sunday school taught by teens. Uses lively music, bible study (KJV is used with children reading to study partners) and crafts Host member had kept her toddler in for two years without feeling unwelcome. Movement by children is tolerated and there is space for spontaneous dancing at the back. Play space is provided for the children during contemplation.S |
*
Grace Baptist | 4th Street and 13 Avenue SW | ? |
Information contained herein derives from two visits. Children are generally out of church in Sunday School, but are accepted if their parents chose to keep them in. |
*
Centre Street Evangelical | 4120 Centre Street North | ? |
Information contained herein derives from the opinions of long-time members. |
*
11:00 | 266-1570 | ? |
Nursury: available Sunday School available | Heritage church in Eau Claire |
*
| 285-1048 2640 Rundlelawn Rd NE | ? |
Nursury: available Sunday School available |
*
| 277-5804 | ? |
Nursury: available Sunday School available |
*
| 282-6033 | ? |
Nursury: available Sunday School available |
*
9:30 & 11:00 a.m. | 256-0262 | ? |
Nursury: available Sunday School 9:30 a.m. |
10:00 (Chinese) & 11:30 a.m. (English) | 256-0262 | ? |
Nursury: 10:00 (during the Chinese service) |
*
| 253-1453 | ? |
Nursury: available Sunday School available |
*
10:00 | 249-0808 | ? |
Nursury: available Sunday School available |
*
11:00 | 249-8562 | ? |
Nursury: available Sunday School available |
*
| 256-1439 | ? |
Nursury: available Sunday School available |
*
| 255-5488 | ? |
Nursury: available Sunday School available | ||