I grew up in a conservative Lutheran church. Though I spent nearly every Sunday of my young life there (and plenty of Wednesdays and Saturdays too), I have a hard time now remembering the actual sanctuary or any of the sermons. What I remember is the church nursery.
Our pastor frowned upon children who didn’t remain still during the service, and my mom was self-conscious about many things, including my behavior. With the slightest wiggle, I was whisked out of the church and placed in the nursery. I remember stern lectures in the car, both before and after church, and the occasional spanking.
So imagine my delight when my friend Jennifer posted this photo on Facebook, showing a card from her church that says “Wiggles are welcome.” The cards are prominently displayed in the pews at her church, Westminster Presbyterian in Nashville, Tenn.
When I saw this, I couldn’t help but think my experience with childhood worship would have been dramatically different had my church welcomed kids with open arms.
The card reads: “Relax! God put the wiggle in children; don’t feel you have to suppress it in God’s house. All are welcome.”
The card also offers advice for gently guiding children’s behavior during the service.
“Parents, please sit toward the front where it is easier for your little ones to see and hear what is going on. They tire of seeing the backs of others’ heads. Sing the hymns, pray and voice the responses. Children learn liturgical behavior by copying you. If you have to leave the service with your child, feel free to do so, but please come back. As Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me.’”
What a beautiful sentiment – and one that would have spared my family a lot of church-going stress. These cards extend a spiritual welcome to families, but they also underscore this belief system for other worshippers as well. It’s a reminder that when children behave like children, that’s not something to be frowned upon.
“The presence of children is a gift to the Church, and they are a reminder that our congregation is growing. Please welcome our children and give a smile of encouragement to their parents,” the card says.
Sophie Maness, the director of children’s ministries for Westminster, says she created the cards this fall. So far the reception has been terrific.
“Part of the reason for doing it is to help people of all ages remember why we need all ages in worship,” she says. “If we want to encourage our children to be part of worship as adults, they need to be a part of worship as a child.”
The message also serves as a pep talk for parents in the church.
“Sometimes our parents need encouragement that they are doing a good thing by bringing their children,” Maness says. “They also need to know that we do not expect children to be anything other than themselves.”
Is your place of worship inclusive of kids?
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