Faith Lutheran Church (ELCA), Seattle, WA

The sacrament of Baptism is the foundation of our understanding of God's grace for all. This gift of water and word proclaims that one is Child of God's inclusive gift. We baptize infants, children and adults, acknowledging God's grace in our lives from the very beginning. Baptism is a community celebration here at Faith, with everyone rejoicing in the gift of being God's children together.

From birth to age 3, children are assigned shepherds from the congregation. Materials with many useful things for parents and fun things for children are sent to each household through these three years. The materials prepare both parents and children for a lifetime of learning about and being in the love of God and the community of the church.

Pre-Elementary Sunday School introduces children to the community of the church, emphasizes God's love for them in Jesus Christ, and teaches them to share that love with others. The program involves children learning about their relationship with Jesus through the Bible stories they hear, songs they sing and the many activities in which they participate. They then begin to understand their relationship with others, and how Jesus' love can shine through them.

Elementary Sunday School continues to emphasizes God's love for us. The curriculum includes learning about the Bible and how we can share God's love with each other. There is a special giving emphasis each year, focusing the children's attention on the needs of others, both globally and locally. The Opening Time each Sunday includes singing, prayer, the special emphasis offering, and learning about the seasons of the Church Year. In first grade the children learn about Holy Communion.

In first grade students receive The Children's Illustrated Bible to read at home with their families. Each year the students have one important memory challenge. By sixth grade the children have memorized the Lord's Prayer, Psalm 23, the Ten Commandments, the names of the books of the Bible and the Apostles' Creed.

The students have an opportunity to learn about the Bible, the church, and what it means to be a person of faith. This is done through a combination of classes and retreats. At the end of eighth grade, students are given an essay assignment to reflect on their own faith and life. In the fall of ninth grade they meet with the Pastor to talk about their essays and to prepare for their Confirmation. At this time they choose if they will affirm the promises made for them in their baptism and become adult members of this congregation. The Rite of Confirmation takes place on the last Sunday of October, and it is always a joyful day for these young people and the community.

High School is a time when students can explore what it means to live a faithful life of discipleship and service. Each Sunday, Youth Forum gives them an opportunity to talk together about issues of importance to them and to their lives. Students also volunteer in many areas of congregational life. From time to time there are opportunities for special service projects.

Child Care at Faith

Supervised child care is available during Adult Forum and 10:30 worship in the child care room on the social hall level for toddlers who are walking up to children in kindergarten. Parents are asked to sign-in and to let the provider know where they will be seated in the sanctuary, in case they are needed. There are diaper changing stations in the men's and women's restrooms on both levels. The child care provider will come get you if your child needs a diaper change.

Here at Faith we encourage children to join their parents at the regular worship services of the community. By participating in this way, children learn about the centrality of worship for daily life. As Lutherans, we pattern our worship on the ancient liturgies of the western church, using music and language that expresses our faith in our time. Children are welcome at the Holy Communion table to receive a blessing or bread and wine. We want children to be comfortable in worship.

When a child is drawing or playing with a favorite quiet toy, they receive much benefit from simply being present in the worshiping community. There are bags of soft toys coloring and writing materials available at the back of the Sanctuary. Children's bulletins are available from the ushers.

Children, who are not yet walking and need some respite, can be taken by an adult to the Cry Room at the back of the Sanctuary. Children participate in the worship services in many ways. Children help with the offering and other things when their parents are ushers. Children help with music in worship, especially in the Children and in their own handbell choir, Youth Bells. Confirmation students serve as Acolytes.

Children at Faith have a safe place to learn and grow learn to know God's love for them learn about Jesus have a place at the table learn to pray are encouraged to use their gifts learn to live a life in service to God and to others, learn the joy of life in community gathered by the Holy Spirit.


	Your Child at Faith Lutheran Church Baptism The sacrament of Baptism is the foundation of our understanding of God's grace for all. This gift of water and word proclaims that one is Child of God's inclusive gift. We baptize infants, children and adults, acknowledging God's grace in our lives from the very beginning. Baptism is a community celebration here at Faith, with everyone rejoicing in the gift of being God's children together. Cradle Roll/Shepherding From birth to age 3, children are assigned shepherds from the congregation. Materials with many useful things for parents and fun things for children are sent to each household through these three years. The materials prepare both parents and children for a lifetime of learning about and being in the love of God and the community of the church. Pre-Elementary Sunday School Pre-Elementary Sunday School introduces children to the community of the church, emphasizes God's love for them in Jesus Christ, and teaches them to share that love with others. The program involves children learning about their relationship with Jesus through the Bible stories they hear, songs they sing and the many activities in which they participate. They then begin to understand their relationship with others, and how Jesus' love can shine through them. Elementary Sunday School Elementary Sunday School continues to emphasizes God's love for us. The curriculum includes learning about the Bible and how we can share God's love with each other. There is a special giving emphasis each year, focusing the children's attention on the needs of others, both globally and locally. The Opening Time each Sunday includes singing, prayer, the special emphasis offering, and learning about the seasons of the Church Year. In first grade the children learn about Holy Communion. In first grade students receive The Children's Illustrated Bible to read at home with their families. Each year the students have one important memory challenge. By sixth grade the children have memorized the Lord's Prayer, Psalm 23, the Ten Commandments, the names of the books of the Bible and the Apostles' Creed. Seventh and Eighth Grade Sunday School/Confirmation The students have an opportunity to learn about the Bible, the church, and what it means to be a person of faith. This is done through a combination of classes and retreats. At the end of eighth grade, students are given an essay assignment to reflect on their own faith and life. In the fall of ninth grade they meet with the Pastor to talk about their essays and to prepare for their Confirmation. At this time they choose if they will affirm the promises made for them in their baptism and become adult members of this congregation. The Rite of Confirmation takes place on the last Sunday of October, and it is always a joyful day for these young people and the community. High School Youth Forum High School is a time when students can explore what it means to live a faithful life of discipleship and service. Each Sunday, Youth Forum gives them an opportunity to talk together about issues of importance to them and to their lives. Students also volunteer in many areas of congregational life. From time to time there are opportunities for special service projects. Child Care at Faith Supervised child care is available during Adult Forum and 10:30 worship in the child care room on the social hall level for toddlers who are walking up to children in kindergarten. Parents are asked to sign-in and to let the provider know where they will be seated in the sanctuary, in case they are needed. There are diaper changing stations in the men's and women's restrooms on both levels. The child care provider will come get you if your child needs a diaper change. Children in Worship Here at Faith we encourage children to join their parents at the regular worship services of the community. By participating in this way, children learn about the centrality of worship for daily life. As Lutherans, we pattern our worship on the ancient liturgies of the western church, using music and language that expresses our faith in our time. Children are welcome at the Holy Communion table to receive a blessing or bread and wine. We want children to be comfortable in worship. When a child is drawing or playing with a favorite quiet toy, they receive much benefit from simply being present in the worshiping community. There are bags of soft toys coloring and writing materials available at the back of the Sanctuary. Children's bulletins are available from the ushers. Children, who are not yet walking and need some respite, can be taken by an adult to the Cry Room at the back of the Sanctuary. Children participate in the worship services in many ways. Children help with the offering and other things when their parents are ushers. Children help with music in worship, especially in the Children and in their own handbell choir, Youth Bells. Confirmation students serve as Acolytes. Children at Faith have a safe place to learn and grow learn to know God's love for them learn about Jesus have a place at the table learn to pray are encouraged to use their gifts learn to live a life in service to God and to others, learn the joy of life in community gathered by the Holy Spirit.