I get excited when I see children in worship with us here at Family of God. I get excited when I see children comfortable being in the sanctuary filled with a lot of people. As a parent of two girls, I remember when my children were younger and we have always sat up front and when they were crazy busy or rambunctious it felt as if the whole congregation was glaring at us. Please, Raul and Rhea, control your children. They weren’t looking at us. Rhea and I wanted our children worshipping with us and not put in the nursery. As much as the nursery staff was capable and we did use them once in a while we did want them in worship with us. We have this super exciting place in our sanctuary called a “Pray Ground.” A place that is welcoming for new families and families already here that is different for children to be in worship with us. Yes, it’s different and not the traditional way of doing things. We wouldn’t be a Lutheran church if Martin Luther just did the traditional thing too. There are a handful of congregations in the twin cities
(around 3 or 4 that includes Family of God) that have a “Pray Ground.” A place for children and parents to sit and worship and parents can keep an eye on their children and be together as a family. Just like the name of our church, Family of God. This place holds a special place in my heart because on one Sunday as Pastor Paul was reciting the words of institution for communion, I looked over and I saw a little girl sitting there playing with the blocks mouthing the words of institution with Pastor Paul at the same time. Amazing! I was awestruck! At that God moment I realized that the “Pray Ground” is also a holy ground for our children. Just as Moses walked on Holy Ground on Mount Sinai. This place is the same for our children. This is what this place is for. It may seem that our children are playing, or not paying attention or goofing around. They are listening and listening intently to every word. Our children want to see what is happening in the front of the church and want to be included. Yeah God for the “Pray Ground.”