Faith Formation and Christian Education- Children, Youth, and Young Families
Jesus Said:
“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly”
John 10:10
In a world with so many pressures, Parkdale hopes to help equip you and your family to live life to its fullest.
New to Parkdale? Please contact Huda Kandalaft, our children, youth and family minister:
We are pleased to share information about our programs for children and youth. We look forward to welcoming your family and your children in our educational, nurturing and fun environment. At Parkdale United Church we believe that spiritual development is very important and develops alongside physical, mental and emotional growth. We provide programs and activities that welcome all and help kids and their families grow in faith and community.
Every person who serves in the Christian Education and Faith Formation Ministry, from Nursery to Youth, receives regular training and has had a criminal record check completed. We follow the Duty of Care policy of the United Church of Canada which prioritises care for children and youth and any vulnerable adults.
Welcome!
Below we include information about the groups we currently offer. Please click on the links for each group for more detailed information.
In addition to the groups documented below, we offer, at various times of the year, a number of activities including a Christmas pageant, Advent workshop, Easter workshop, Kids Church, Games Nights, Cooking activities, Summer Camps, and Intergenerational Services. These activities are advertised in the church bulletins and the News page on this website close to the times they happen and all are welcome.
The Sunday School and Youth Group attend the church service with their parents until after the “Time to Wonder”, when they leave with the other children and youth and go to their Sunday School program. When we hold an Intergenerational Service, all children except for the nursery children, stay in the service, and often, children participate in these services.
The United Church has a strong tradition of having an “open communion table.” All believers in Jesus Christ, no matter their age, denomination or background are always invited to celebrate communion with us. This is one of many ways we recognize children and youth as important parts of Parkdale’s worshipping community. We leave the decision as to whether children should participate in Communion to the parents or caregivers.
If, after checking out this information, you have other questions, or if you would like to register your child for any of the programs, please do not hesitate to contact the church office (613-613-728-8656) or pdale@trytel.com. Registering your child will give us information that will help us to provide for their safety and security while in the care of the Sunday School or Youth Group leader.
Parents are always welcome to come to their child’s Sunday School class. Come and see what we do! Kids love to show their parents what they do in Sunday School.
These are the programs we currently offer:
Nursery-for babies through age 4 (Click here for more information)
Sunday School – for age 4 through grade five (Click here for more information)
Youth Groups– for grades six through twelve (Click here for more information)
IGNITE Group- for young adults from age 18 plus (Click here for more information)
Our commitment to children and youth ministry
Ministry to children and youth is at the very core of Parkdale’s work and purpose. Consider Deuteronomy 6: 4-7
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commands that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when y ou sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
We ask you first to hold our ministry with children in your hearts and in your prayers. We ask you to lead by example. Children have big eyes! Get to know the kids and let them share what they are learning. Celebrate their contributions to worship. Participate in family events like the Advent luncheon, Christmas pageant and picnic. Don’t just treat our children like our future (which they are) but as our present. Of course, we also welcome practical help. Say “yes” when asked to teach or volunteer. Come out to events. Come learn, grow and celebrate with our amazing young people!
Our teachers are creating a safe place for your child
Who are our teachers? Warm, caring people, committed to their own faith journeys and invested in the faith formation of children are who serve as our teachers. Many of them have children in the Sunday school. Others don’t. What our teachers have in common is a love for children and a passion for sharing the Good News.
Because providing a safe, effective Sunday School program is so essential, we always provide mentorship to new teachers. Our Sunday school rooms and nursery are designed with windows so that activities can be easily observed.
How are teachers recruited? Many of our teachers are parents and volunteer their time in order to support the program. Some of our teachers came to us because they find new meaning in their own faith by witnessing the wonder of children. We welcome new expressions of interest in offering leadership to our children’s ministries. If you know someone who has a gift to offer, please approach us!
How is our Sunday school supported? The Faith Formation and Christian Enrichment Committee is there to coordinate the program. This committee chooses the curriculum, recruits and trains the teachers, ensures that supplies are available and also puts on special events such as the Christmas Pageant and the Sunday School picnic. The FF & CE committee is a wonderful way for new members and young families to get involved with the work of ministry at Parkdale.
Nursery Care
The Nursery offers a welcoming, open play environment. There are lots of toys and a change station is available. Children from birth to age four are welcome to attend our nursery while their parents are in church, or parents may stay with their children if they wish. Our nursery is staffed with a long- time care provider supported by a number of youth from our church.
Our nursery and Sunday school rooms are located in the basement below the Memorial Hallway (where coffee time is held). The nursery is open every Sunday. Parents may also drop in to use the facilities which include beds, a change table and a quiet room equipped with comfortable chairs for feeding. Volunteers are always welcome to assist.
Our nursery is an important ministry in our church, not only because it provides love and care to our babies and toddlers, but because it links young families, offering them fellowship and mutual support. If you aren’t comfortable leaving your child, we welcome your presence in the nursery where you can still hear the service through our sanctuary sound feed.
Sunday School
Sunday School is available for children from age four through grade five. The classes are arranged to suit the number of registrants each year, but typically there is one class for children from age four through grade one and one class for children from grades two through five.
The Sunday School curriculum is based on Bible lessons that are specially developed for each age group. Lessons might include: Bible stories, Drama, singing, hands-on activities, arts, and discussion time. Teachers use curriculum that is consistent with the beliefs, practices, and theological perspective of the United Church of Canada and their own creative touches are added as they help children learn stories from the Bible. Playtime is important and is an important part of Sunday School time.
Children are given an offering box in Sunday School and they are asked to return their coins in the box once a month. Putting a coin in the box is a way for even the youngest child to begin offering their gifts to God.
Youth Groups
Youth Groups are available for youth from ages eleven through seventeen. With their leaders, the youth group members focus on curriculum developed for their particular age group.
At times, Youth Group members are engaged in social justice activities and are invited to prepare baking that is shared with the congregation or with one of our neighbours. Occasionally our youth group members are invited to support In From the Cold by serving at the dinner on a Saturday afternoon.
Confirmation Mentoring Classes for Youth, requiring an intensive time commitment and typically offered to Youth ages 14-16 years, are offered at various times. Youth are twinned with adult mentors during this period. The mentors journey with the youth during confirmation, and often form lifelong friendship.
IGNITE Group
This is a group of young adults who meet once a month for study and dinner. They are ages 18 plus and welcome young adults from all walks of life. Whether at college, university, working or doing something else, Ignite welcomes you to join.
For information about dates and times of any of these activities, please reach out to our children and young families’ minister, Huda Kandalaft: huda@parkdaleunitedchurch.ca
Intergenerational Family Ministries
Parkdale Family Events – For families of every configuration!
We believe that we are called to live and love God together, supporting one another in faith and discipleship, regardless of age differences. At certain points in the year, we have intergenerational worship and fellowship opportunities so our whole family of faith can celebrate God’s presence among us together!
Look for events like these through the year:
Intergenerational Worship Services
After-church meals and programs
International Lunches
For information about dates and times of any of these activities, please reach out to our children and young families’ minister, Huda Kandalaft: huda@parkdaleunitedchurch.ca
A Parent’s Reflection On Our Children’s Ministry Program
We have been hearing a lot in the media of late about how busy and over programmed our lives are and those of our children as well. We are blessed to be able to offer them so many opportunities to learn: sports, music, theatre, dance, art…. We hope to develop in our children useful skills, lifelong passions and openness to new experiences. My husband and I were recently talking about our dreams for our son, who just turned three. I realized that it was his Christian education that was the most important thing I wanted him to learn in his childhood. It is this that will give him the skills he needs to lead a meaningful, generous and fulfilled life. I was lucky to have been raised in this congregation and to have received this education at home and at Parkdale. When I see the ever-growing stampede of children heading off to Sunday School each week, I thank God that there are a lot of parents who are making the same decision. Learning how to worship and to serve is just as important as learning how to run and throw.