church kids
At Bethany, we have long been an intergenerational congregation and are happy these days to include a cohort of kids from infants through upper elementary (17 of them on a non-holiday Sunday in the spring of 2025!).
We offer school-year nursery care and Sunday School and you can read more about both below. Additionally, we have family programming like a Memorial Day camping trip, monthly after-church summer field trips, and all-ages events like ice-cream-and-board-game socials. Our children take part in Service & Justice activities like stuffing stockings for The Night Ministry and making Valentines to accompany gifts for clients at Sarah’s Circle.
Our children participate in worship. They serve as acolytes, and help lead prayers. We plan our worship to include at least one paperless song — so you don’t need to read to take part — and sometimes, the entire service centers the children’s experience.
We’re growing and dreaming of what’s next for kids at Bethany and we’d love to have your family in the mix!
Sunday School
We're excited to have a growing Sunday School program. We are so fortunate to have professional educators Erin Wysong and Sara Haas leading our team.
During the 2024 - 2025 school year, we had two classrooms, divided into early- and later- elementary. Classes met for 3-week units where kids explored stories for a longer period, and got to know each other and their teachers. In between units, we took 3-week breaks to allow for holidays, 3-day-weekends, etc.
Kids 4 and older are invited to go to Sunday School after passing the peace on those Sundays.
Nursery Care
We offer nursery care during school-year worship for children under 4 (although children of all ages are welcome to stay in services).
Children can be dropped off before or during church and picked up after service. During summer/outdoor worship, there is no nursery care — but spreading out on a blanket on the grass is welcome and regular!
