Young Children and Worship is an exciting way to present biblical stories through worship with young children to help them experience as well as learn about God. The program was influenced by the philosophy of Maria Montessori and was developed by Sonja Stewart and Jerome Berryman. It is described in their book, Young Children and Worship. Young Children and Worship has transformed and renewed children's ministries in churches across North America and around the world. If your children's ministry needs renewal, then you need to investigate this program. Young Children and Worship training is a cooperative ministry of The Presbyterian Church in Canada (The PCC), the Reformed Church in America (RCA), and the Christian Reformed Church in North American (CRC). Congregational leaders of the Young Children and Worship program have the privilege of being trained by a network of trainers through out the U.S. and Canada. Basic Training is a 14-hour course designed to equip leaders to begin a children and worship ministry in their own church, lead children's worship, and to tell Bible stories. Enrichment Events are designed for established Children and Worship leaders. Specialized Events may also be arranged with individual trainers.

Upcoming Workshops
An Introduction to Children and Worship

• When: Sunday May 27, 2012 12:30-2:30pm
• Where: St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Humber Heights, Toronto ON
• RSVP: Linda Shaw ianandlindashaw [at] gmail [dot] com

A Full 2 Day Basic Training Event

• When: September 29 & October 27, 2012
• Where: Greater Toronto Area
• Cost: $135
• RSVP: Linda Shaw ianandlindashaw [at] gmail [dot] com

Children and worship is spiritually enriching to both children and adults. Through storytelling, lectures, discussions, and hands on practice, participants will learn how children can experience God and develop a relationship with God. Participants will learn how to present Bible stories that capture children’s imaginations and how to create a worship centre environment where children will be enriched as they experience the wonder and mystery of God. Participants will also learn how the philosophy of Montessori has influenced the ministry of Children and Worship.

Program Coordinator for the PCC

Nina Zwart is the program coordinator of Children and Worship for the PCC. Please contact Nina for more information or to arrange for an introductory workshop or training event. E-mail nina.zwart@sympatico.ca or phone 519.451.6713.

Canadian Trainers

• Nina Zwart, London, ON; nina [dot] zwart [at] sympatico [dot] ca
• CiCi Morales (Spanish), Toronto, ON; ccmorales [at] sympatico [dot] ca
• Linda Shaw, Simcoe, ON; 519.428.5396, ianandlindashaw [at] gmail [dot] com
• Diane Tait-Katerberg, Surrey, BC; diane [dot] tait [at] katerberg [dot] ca
• Valerie Walker, Halifax, NS; vjmwalker [at] gmail [dot] com

Children and Worship Resources

The following resources are available through The Book Room (bookroom@presbyterian.ca; 800.619.7301).

• Young Children and Worship, Sonja Stewart & Jerome Berryman, Knox Press
• Following Jesus: More About Children and Worship, by Sonja Stewart, Knox Press
• I Wonder . . More Bible Stories for Children and Worship, by Janet Schreuder
• Lift Up Your Hands (a signing video), produced by The PCC
• Godly Play, Jerome Berryman, Abingdon Press
• Teaching Godly Play: The Sunday Morning Handbook, J. Berryman, Abingdon Press
• Worship Songs for Children and Worship (Songbook & Cassette), June Armstrong
• More Worship Songs for Children and Worship (Songbook, Cassette, CD), J. Armstrong