Children are warmly welcomed at Crossroads, not only because Jesus said, “Let the children come to me” but also because they have spiritual gifts and wisdom to share.
Crossroads Children’s Ministry is dedicated to:
- providing spiritual nurture for children
- supporting parents in their primary role as providers of Christian formation (we are aware that 45 minutes on a Sunday morning is nowhere near ample time to offer a deep engagement with the Christian tradition)
- trusting the power of Sacred story, Christian community and the strong symbols of worship to deepen the spiritual life of the children in our midst
- providing high standards of care for our children because we treasure children as image bearers of God.
Parents or care-givers are welcome to accompany their child or children in the Godly Play area on Sunday mornings or to remain in the sanctuary for the worship service. If the children have not already returned to the sanctuary, parents are requested to come directly to the Godly Play area immediately following worship so that their child(ren) can be released into their care.
All of our Children & Youth Ministry leaders have a current criminal record check on file.
Sunday Crossroads Children’s Ministry
Nursery: Newborn to 4-years-old
Sunday School: 4-years-old to Grade 5
We do not currently use a packaged curriculum for our Sunday School program, but sew together a variety of components including a story-telling and reflection practice from “Godly Play”. Combining this with regular participation in worship, we find the children of Crossroads United Church are quite clear that this is their church and that they know God and Jesus love them as they are, while calling them to offer their own gifts and skills to the world.
Special Events for Children at Crossroads
- Celebrating the changing Christian seasons
- Easter programs (Palm Sunday Parade, Easter Egg Hunt)
- Seasonal family events
- A participatory Christmas Pageant at our 6:00 pm service
- Children’s Sabbath (when the children lead Sunday Worship and intergenerational moments)
- Imagine! A Children’s Retreat (held in February with other United Church congregations)
- KIDVENTURE Summer Day Camp held in July (see below)
What is KIDVENTURE at Crossroads?
KidVenture is a day camp-style morning program that engages children (ages 3–12) in crafts, music, drama, games, storytelling, healing garden explorations, a community outreach project, and provides lots of opportunities for new friendships and fun!
We have planned for all KidVenture activities to be on-site at the church, in the sanctuary and outdoors. Three small groups (ten children with two leaders) will rotate through activities including outreach, gardening, crafts, games and drumming. Each day features an opening “plenary” with all children together for singing and the Godly Play story of the day. The small groups will gather at the beginning of each morning, for a brief rest and snack mid-morning, and again at the conclusion of each day with a sharing circle to name a highlight of their time together.
KidVenture 2024 will run Monday to Friday from July 8–12 beginning at 8:30 a.m. and finishing at noon. As we explore of theme of “Water Wonders”, we will be sharing principles of water conservation as our outreach project.
KidVenture 2024 has been designed to comply with Crossroads’ Communicable Disease Safety Plan, which follows the current provincial health and safety measures.
Click on the following link to open the 2024 KidVenture Registration Form PDF
For more information about Children’s Ministry at Crossroads
Please contact:
Carson Beck
Children’s Ministry Coordinator
(778) 593-1043 x 104