Easter Experiment: The True Vine Table

Dear Church of Our Redeemer, 

For the last 5 weeks of Easter, with Rev. Megan’s approval and encouragement, we are trying a new experiment! I look forward to seeing what happens and hearing anyone’s thoughts.

At the front of the nave, I have set up a small table and chairs. I have also prepared limited materials to be available in this space. This table is only for children 6 and up, and is primarily for children in Atrium 2, the True Vine Atrium (ages 6-9). It does not require the child’s adult to be present. I will sit with the children for the first three weeks (May 4, May 11, May 18), in addition to individual introductions with children. 

This space and the materials available are designed not to “give busywork” or “distractions”; instead, they present another way in to attending to the Eucharist for children of this age. I would be delighted to talk more about this with any adults who are interested, and can also recommend some reading (either academic or more accessible) about children and attention/participation; please reach out to me if you’re interested.

Our Soft Space is really set up for children 5 and under. The materials and seating all show this. Because it’s so hard to see and stay engaged in the service for ages 6 and up, I think it would be good to have a specific place where they can see, be seated in an appropriate way for their age, and be offered a chance to move into higher expectations than what we have for younger children.

While there were some concerns about space, this table takes up the same amount of space as the piano. There is now exactly the same amount of walkway from the center aisle to the side aisle on both sides of the church.

I’ve presented this to the staff, Worship Committee, and Vestry, and gotten feedback from each group. I will also follow up with specific groups to get feedback, in particular the Choir, as Bernadette requested. 

At every step of the Mission & Vision process, we have heard from the parish the desire to welcome children, and to grow our children’s programs. Before we try to grow anything, we need to improve and stabilize what we already have, and improved resources for children in worship is one small part of this.

For many years the parish has been clear in communicating that children are very welcome in worship, “in all their liveliness,” and that children are allowed to sit anywhere in the church. This experiment is part of making such a welcome more possible for children in this important age bracket. It is one of many experiments that I have longed to do since I arrived in 2021, and I am delighted to be taking this small step now! 

Please reach out to me directly (assistantrector@ourredeemerlexington.org) if you have any concerns or questions!

Mtr. Emily

P.S. You can see my presentation that I submitted to the Vestry here. As you know, Vestry meetings are largely open to the public, and you can request to see materials after they have been approved by Vestry the following month.