At Dolores Park Church, the goal of children’s spiritual formation is a maturing faith through a deepening relationship with Jesus Christ. The ways of faith are often taught by parents in the flow of everyday life, and yet parents were never intended to walk that road alone. At DPC, we value collaboration between parents and community for spiritual, relational, and communal health. We gather as a multi-ethnic, multi-generational community to enter the stories of scripture and be in relationship with one another as means of spiritual formation. We do so through age-specific and intergenerational settings that honor children in their stages of development and also recognize our need for one another. Come, join us! We would love to get to know you.

Contact Lisa Kirchgestner for more information.

Nursery

Infants and toddlers, up to age 3

The goal of our nursery is to provide excellent, and loving child care for our youngest community members. Nursery caregivers are particularly interested in creating a safe and fun environment for infants and toddlers to play, explore, and build first friendships - all key aspects in growing the muscles of faith.

Nursery Schedule:

11:00am Worship Service: You are free to drop off your children as early as 10:50am. Nursery care lasts until the service ends around 12:30pm.

You are also welcome to bring your children with you to the service and make use of the sound-proof infant room in the back.

Contact Lisa Kirchgestner for more information.

Worshiping with Children

At DPC, we believe that integrating children into worship is a means of spiritual formation that benefits the entire community. Each Sunday we worship together in song before our kids are led to Children’s Church. Throughout the year, we also have All Family Worship Services in which we are together for the entire service. Click on our Worshiping with Children Brochure to read more about how worshiping together is an essential part of discipleship for all of us. LINK

New Creations

Ages 3 through 5th grade

9:45-10:45 in the Anderson Bldg, 2nd Floor, Rm 205

Exploring God’s word through song and art
 
An interactive time where children (ages 3-5th grade) hear the gospel message and learn scripture through songs, art projects, puppet shows, drama, and creative writing activities.  The children are encouraged to express the creativity that God has given them while learning of His character and His heart for them.

Children’s Church

Godly Play: Ages 3 through 3rd grade
Echo the Story: 4th-5th Grades

11:30-12:30 in the Anderson Bldg, 2nd Floor

Children’s Church is our primary setting for age-specific spiritual formation for children. Children sit with their parents to participate in the music portion of the Worship Service after which they are invited to meet their teachers at the back of the Sanctuary to be led to their respective classrooms:

Godly Play:

Ages 3 through Kindergarten Room 220
1st - 3rd Grades Room 208

• A Child-centered Environment that places adults at kids’ eye level and uses materials that are multi-sensory, engaging, and beautifully crafted.

• A Story-centered Presentation that emphasizes experiencing the scripture as a living Word, as a means through which God speaks to his children directly.

• Faith-centered Christian Language that helps kids identify and express their growing awareness and experience of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives.

Echo the Story:
4th-5th Grades Fourth Floor Lounge, Anderson Building

Echo curriculum provides a seamless follow up to Godly Play that is “a sequential telling of Bible stories followed by a time of review and dialogue. Founded in the ancient Hebrews approach to the scriptures, storying is a unique learning process, revolving around energetic storytelling, imaginative observation and lively dialogue.” http://www.echothestory.com/about/storying/

Click on the link to download our brochure about the movements and philosophy of Godly Play: Download here
Contact Lisa Kirchgestner for more information.

Parent Information

We value partnering with you in the spiritual growth and development of your children. In addition to connecting with our Children’s Ministries, be sure to sign up for the eXTRA, our community wide email bulletin that goes out every Friday, providing links and information for how to get plugged in to the life of DPC.

CFM Registration
All children should have a current CFM Registration Form on file with the Director of Spiritual Formation. This not only helps us get to know your child, but gives us important information regarding allergies, emergency contact info, and other developmental or learning needs. Once filled out, please turn it into your child’s classroom and it will be picked up by our Director.

Click the link to download the CFM Registration Form

Contact Lisa Kirchgestner for more information.

Ways to Serve

All Volunteer Opportunities with children require a full background check and a one hour meeting with the Director of Spiritual Formation.
Link to Background Check Authorization: LINK

Contact Lisa Kirchgestner to express interest in one of the following ways to serve

:
Nursery Volunteer Opportunities

Nursery Caregiver: Volunteer once each month in providing a safe and welcoming setting for children from infancy up to 3 years of age.
Sundays 10:45-12:30

Children’s Church Volunteer Opportunities

Godly Play Greeter: Welcome children into a child-centered environment helping them transition to the story circle. Welcome parents to greet their children when the hour is up. Sundays 11:30-12:30
Godly Play Storyteller: Present a sacred story from scripture using materials to facilitate imagination and response. Mid-week preparation required.
Sundays 11:30-12:30
Feast Guest: Provide and serve the “Feast” (a.k.a. snack) one Sunday for one of the Godly Play classrooms while sitting in as a visitor. Sundays 11:30-12:30

New Creations

New Creations Volunteer: Help supervise children’s activities each Sunday during music, art, and play time.
Sundays 9:45-10:45

DPC Parent and Family Community / Intergenerational Volunteer Opportunities

Family Small Group Host: Provide leadership and/or location for a small group of parents and children.
Monthly dinners and fellowship - details decided by the group.
Seasonal Event Volunteer: Support staff and CFM Team in putting on family events: (Staff or CFM Team will contact you with details)
All Family Worship Services
Parent Coffee’s / Breakfasts
Holiday Celebrations