Table Kids
Kids get a sense of belonging and the chance to explore their faith in community. Each week, kids hear they are loved by Jesus. Table Kids is led by Pastor Jae Bates and Caitlin Schmidt.
Table Kids is hiring! Check out open positions:
Sunday nights
When you arrive:
Check in at the station in the gallery near the main entrance and print name tags. On your first visit, we’ll give you a form to complete for future online check-in.
The nursery for babies and toddlers is located on the main level and is open before worship.
Pre-K through 1st grade begin in their groups. We recommend arriving a few minutes early to check in and settle your kids downstairs before service begins.
During the service:
Participation in worship matters for faith formation! Kids in 2nd grade and up begin in worship with their families.
After announcements, 2nd-5th grades are dismissed to follow their group leaders upstairs. During discussion time, they split up into 2nd-3rd grades and 4th-5th grades.
Everyone (PreK-5th grade) returns to the Sanctuary for communion and worship with their families.
Each room has a leader assisted by volunteers. Read more about age groups below.
Kids in Worship:
Learning how to participate in the rhythms of worship as a child is crucial to a continued practice of faith as an adult. On the last Sunday of the month, kids in 2nd grade and up remain in the service so we can worship as one community—we welcome their noises and whispers! Kids are given leadership roles like giving announcements, reading scripture, serving communion, delivering the benediction, etc. On these nights, fidgets and activity bags are available, the sermon is made more accessible, and the nursery remains open for babies and toddlers, and PreK-1st grade.
Table Kids Groups
Nursery:
Our nursery is available for babies and toddlers still in diapers. Room 118 is located on the main level, and is open before the service. Zayn is our nursery lead and is joined by volunteers to rock babies, play with older ones, and read a Bible story each week.
The nursery remains open even on last Sundays (when older kids remain in worship).
Pre-K through 1st Grade:
These ages begin the evening in their groups and return to service in time for communion.
Check in before service begins and make your way downstairs to drop your child off. Groups are divided by age: Pre-K, and Kindergarten-1st.
Group time is is led by a paid staff member and assisted by volunteers and includes crafts, music, fine- and large-motor play, and Bible stories that pair with the sermon series.
Our Director of Kids, Caitlin Schmidt, is responsible for the curriculum development and staffing of this age group.
2nd through 5th Grades:
This small group of older elementary kids—led by Pastor Jae and paid staff—discusses the same topics as the sermon series in age-appropriate ways.
Middle School (6th-8th):
Middle schoolers are invited to remain in worship with their families.
Pastor Jae provides middle school families with a learning and reflection guide to work through together—at their own pace, in any order. This guide helps middle schoolers process what they believe by self-reflecting, engaging their family, and engaging the community.
Middle schoolers can also be paired with an adult mentor—someone in our church community but outside their immediate family—with whom they can connect to talk about life, explore faith, and ask questions.
Neighborhood small groups for middle schoolers and high schoolers are in formation. If your family is interested, let Jae know below:
Volunteer with Table Kids
Intergenerational relationships are crucial for everyone’s faith formation—kids and adults alike. We invite adults and older teens to show up for our kids, sharing their time and faith and introducing our kids to Christ’s beloved community.
All adult volunteers submit to a background check. Volunteer by emailing Pastor Jae below: