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We welcome children to our Meeting community. We have a program for children who are not old enough or not ready to attend a full hour of Meeting for Worship. The main focus of our First Day School program is to make coming to Meeting a positive experience.
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All ages of Friends worship together for the first 10-15 minutes of the Meeting hour. After the first 10-15 minutes of worship, the First Day School teacher will stand and lead the children to the First Day School meeting space.
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We believe that God is present in everyone, regardless of age.
When children join us, our community and our faith are broadened.
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Some Practical Suggestions:
- As a family, talk about why you are coming to Meeting.
- Practice having quiet time before meals or at bedtime.
Before you enter the Meeting room, remind your children that people inside are sitting quietly.
- Prepare for physical comfort and quietness by blowing noses, unzipping coat zippers, taking off hot boots, etc., before going in to Meeting.
- Talk with your children about ways to center down so they can enter into the spirit of worship.
- Sitting on your lap or closing their eyes may help.
- Some centering suggestions you may want to try:
- Repeat a prayer, poem, music, or phrase in your mind.
- Listen to sounds outside of the Meeting room, inside of it, or inside yourself.
- Feel yourself breathe and try to give it a gentle rhythm.
- We’re Going to Meeting for Worship by Abby Hadley is a simple story for children ages 4 – 6. You may want to borrow it from our First Day School Library.
Remember that for all of us, the experience of worship grows with patience and practice.
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