SEVEN HILLS KIDS ON SUNDAYS
Children of all ages are always welcome to remain with their grownups in the sanctuary during Sunday worship. We do also provide education for kids to hear the Gospel message in a way they can more easily understand and engage with. Now that Seven Hills has resumed weekly in-person worship, we are thrilled to be able to offer Nursery care and outdoor Sunday School classes once again, with COVID-19 precautions in place as shaped by ever-changing DESE guidelines and under the guidance of the Seven Hills Covid-19 Response Team. Children join their families for the beginning of the worship service and are then dismissed to their respective Sunday School classes prior to the sermon.
Nursery (ages 0-3): For more info see our Infants and Toddlers page. We offer nursery care for the 0-3 crowd with well-qualified and experienced paid nursery staff (infants should be old enough to sit unassisted to be eligible for care in the nursery). You may check your child into the nursery at any point from the start of church. The worship service is now also livestreamed in the nursery, for any families helping their extra wiggly littles or nursing mothers who are more comfortable worshipping outside of the main sanctuary. Currently for everyone’s safety, all adults—and older children who are able—must wear a mask in the nursery area.
Preschool (ages 3-5): Old Testament Study, Fall 2022 Sunday School
This fall we will get grounded with a deep dive into Genesis with Creation, Fall, Noah, Tower of Babel, and Abraham! These Old Testament stories provide a powerful foundation for who God is, his promises and faithfulness to his children, and point forward to his “Rescue Plan.” Lessons for this group often involve reading the story, acting it out, games, singing, and simple crafts.
This class meets downstairs in part of the nursery space. Masks are currently required for everyone over the age of 2.
Elementary (K-5): Old Testament Study, Fall 2022 Sunday School
This fall we will get grounded with a deep dive into Genesis with Creation, Fall, Noah, Tower of Babel, and Abraham! These Old Testament stories provide a powerful foundation for who God is, his promises and faithfulness to his children, and point forward to his “Rescue Plan.”
While the weather still allows, this class will continue to meet outdoors in the church driveway, so please help your child to dress accordingly. Masks for children outdoors are optional and left to each family’s preferences. In inclement weather, class will either relocate to the basement, or be cancelled and children will remain with their families during worship. Please stay tuned for details about elementary Sunday school logistics this winter, and thank you for your patience!
Youth Hangout: Every first and third Sunday at lunchtime
Led by Geren Stone and Andrew Schuman, teens are invited to come ready for fun while we catch up together in Davis Square. Bring your stories, fun facts, emojis, prayer requests, life questions, or just yourself! Contact Christine Stone for details.
ASK ME ANYTHING
"Did Jesus have a last name?" "Did Adam and Eve have belly buttons?" "What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?” “When did learn that God rescued you?” “What do you do all day?” "Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible?” All classroom children and youth, ages pre-k and up, are invited once a month to a Zoom Hangout with one of the church leaders. These super casual conversations are open for the kids to ask the church leader any questions they want- serious, spiritual, or silly.
See the weekly email for details on the upcoming hangout.
COMMUNITY GROUPS
Community groups have been one of the core ways that adults and children build community, grow in relationships, and serve in our church. Community groups go through life together. While community groups are no longer meeting in person, they are continuing to meet virtually and this has been an important, stabilizing connection for many of our families and our children. If you are not connected to a community group and are interested in being a part of one, see the Community Groups page for details.
CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
This pandemic has created destabilizing, confusing, scary, and sad times for our children, our teens, and our adults. The following resources may be helpful to your family as we think about how to explain the current situation to our children in light of the Gospel. We desire that as a church and as families, we will learn how to live, grow, love, worship, and serve better for having been in these times.
How to Talk to Children about the Coronavirus- by Cameron Cole
Helping Children With Scary News- by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Don’t Waste Your Family Quarantine- by Courtney Reissig
Six Ways to Lead your Family in Isolation- by Chap Bettis
Parenting in a Pandemic- Some Practical Considerations- by Mike McGarry
Parenting Anxious Kids in an Anxious Time- by Chad Kraska
Helping our Kids through the Grief and Disappointment caused by COVID19- by Kristen Hatten
Five Ways to Disciple your Teen during Quarantine- by Sylver Thomas and Justin Weaver
The Unique Ministry Opportunity in the Coronavirus Tragedy- by Cameron Cole
UPBEAT SONGS FOR QUARANTINED KIDS (PLAYLIST)
"The years may be short, but the days are long—especially when families with small children are cut off from normal routines and quarantined indefinitely. In moments when your energy flags, dinner needs to be made, and your toddler is rolling around on the floor, turning on music can do wonders to lift the mood. Use this playlist as a soundtrack for family toy-pickup blitz or even better, schedule an after-dinner family dance party. This playlist is not meant for bedtime, nor were the songs chosen to teach kids theology (although some of them do just that). These upbeat songs are meant to help kids get their energy out, to help parents laugh instead of cry, and to help us make a joyful noise to the Lord.”
See Upbeat Songs for Quarantined Kids (Free Playlist) by The Gospel Coalition for full playlist.
Find the playlist on Spotify or Apple Music.
