s What about kids? - Raleigh Mennonite Church

Raleigh Mennonite Church

As a Christian community, called to peacemaking and reconciliation, we affirm that people of any race, ethnic identity, gender, who are gay or straight, of any ability, age, or economic status, are welcome to full participation in our congregation.

What about kids?

A baby sits on the lap of his father during worship service at Raleigh Mennonite. Other folks can be seen sitting in the background.

Babies and Toddlers

We celebrate the busyness and movement of our youngest attendees! Families with young children (ages 0-3) are invited to sit near our “Prayground” in the worship service. This area is meant to provide our smallest attendees with quiet occupation to keep their hands and minds busy while also allowing parents to fully participate in the service.

For those who would prefer a drop-off nursery, a staffed nursery is provided on the first floor in partnership with Church of the Good Shepherd.

Young Children (4 years – 2nd Grade)

Five young kids under a table at Shepherd's Hall

Children ages 4 and up are invited to attend Godly Play. (Children will begin in the worship service with their families and leave as a group.) If you’re unfamiliar with Godly Play, think of it as a child-centric church service with a story told from Scripture, a time of “wondering” together, and a time of response. Although there is no set “end age” for Godly Play, most of our children choose to begin attending the worship service around age 9.

Older Children (3rd Grade and up)

Older children are invited to participate in worship through reading Scripture and poems, lighting candles, playing instruments, and through sharing time. We also offer a hands-on table for people of all ages to interact with the worship service through art.

Many children and adults stand up in front of the RMC worship service while Melissa reads a prayer as they begin the school year.

Quiet Sensory Room

We want Sunday mornings to be a safe space for all families, including those involving children with unique sensory needs. During Sunday morning worship, RMC offers a Quiet Sensory Room for children with sensory needs and their caregivers. Families are welcome to come and go from this room as needed. This space is only a few steps away from our communal worship service in Shepherd’s Hall. A QR code posted outside the room allows you to stay connected on your device to the live worship service via zoom. 

If you are visiting RMC for the first time, feel free to ask a greeter to point the space out to you before entering Shepherd’s Hall.

A room showing a couple of chairs in front of large windows, with several toys on the floor.
Sign on the wall indicating the features of the sensory room.

Breakfast Club (PreK-6th Grade)

On the third Sunday of every month, our kids gather at 9am (before the worship service) for Breakfast Club. This is a monthly time to be with their friends, dig into Bible stories together, and, of course, enjoy some breakfast! Email childrensministry@raleighmennonite.org if you are considering attending Breakfast Club for the first time and have questions about meeting locations or food allergy concerns.  

August – A Month of Rest

Every August our children and youth ministry volunteers receive a much-deserved month of rest. During worship in August our nursery, “Prayground,” art tables, and sensory room are all still available for family use. Children’s church (Godly Play) and Breakfast Club both pause, resuming in September.