Children's Ministries
Second-Grade Bibles
Each September our second graders are presented with personal copies of the Bible as they begin a lifetime relationship of study and prayer. If your child is a bit older and has never received a Bible, we would like to include him or her. Please contact Liz Junod (liz@westside.org, ext. 12) or Carol Walton (carol@westside.org, ext. 11), so we can add the name to our list. Children are asked to bring their Bibles to church school.
Families in Worship
We do recommend that young families sit in the left and right transepts for one terrific reason: Children can escape for a brief respite and sneak back in virtually unnoticed as they learn to share in the worship experience. Try it and you will see the difference! they are closer to the experience of worshiping when sitting in the transept, yet you are not "on display" for the entire service if an emergency arises, because we have side doors for you to use. As a mom who has been seated there in the past, I can tell you it was a lifesaver for me! Please share your experience with me once you have tried it. I love to hear back from our families.
Our building is beautiful and our sanctuary is classically reverent; our community is loving and our hearts are warm; our music is transcendent and haunting, and on occasion even a little jazzy! Worship is an experience for all ages, and we hope to meet your family's needs and hopes in a church.
West Side's Teacher Resource Room
Using money donated in memory of Jack Roth, we have opened a Resource Room for Church School teachers, located next to the kitchen through the double doors. We are purposely creating a meeting room where teachers can gather as a small group. We hope to foster a supportive network of teachers to open communication about our goals in church school. Spiritual growth is essential to maintain a healthy mindset as teachers.
And it's fun
Mission and Stewardship
Our stewardship teaches the children the importance of
giving with their weekly offering. Our mission project include Thanksgiving
Food Baskets, Christmas Wish List, One Great Hour of Sharing, and other
programs appropriate for children.
Babysitting Service
The church maintains a list of middle and high school youth who are available for babysitting at reasonable rates. The list provides the town, grade, and qualifications of each teenager who have signed up for this service. This is for West Side members and nursery school families only.
Children's Library
Children's books, parenting books, videos, and much more
are available in our children's library on the second floor near the elevator.