Children are welcome at MCOB!
Our intergenerational congregation is committed to our community members of every age (see statement below). MCOB programming for children and youth evolves with our growing cohort, in size and age.
Baby Dedication
True to the Anabaptist Tradition, rather than baptizing infants MCOB holds baby dedications. These are special ceremonies in which we formally welcome a new baby into the life and care of our congregation. We pledge to protect and guide the child, to invest in their spiritual development, and to be a “second family” and a “tribe” for them. We also extend support and blessings to the parent(s) as they raise the child with Christian love.
Baptism Exploration
Anabaptists value believer’s baptism– a baptism “by faith and by the Spirit.” As such, and in keeping with our historical forebears, MCOB is delighted to offer resources, guidance, and communal support to explore the possibility of baptism for anyone old enough to make an informed decision about their faith commitments.
NOTE: There is no requirement that members of MCOB be baptized and no pressure for those exploring baptism to ultimately undertake the ritual. Many of MCOB’s current members were baptized in other denominations before they came to MCOB; some members of MCOB have never been baptized. All are welcome!
The Children and Youth Committee supports the following programs:
Children’s Nook during Regular Services
Our order of worship states: The presence of children is a gift to our congregation; we welcome all ages to remain in our worship space. During the service, children and parents can take advantage of the children’s nook in the back area of the worship space. Given our evening service time, caregivers are also welcome to serve food, with support from the full kitchen adjacent to our worship space at Friends Meeting at Cambridge.
Children’s Time during Regular Services
Many services have a designated Children’s Time that offers a story or child-centered activity. Stories are drawn from children’s books of all kinds, the Peace Table storybook Bible, or creative ideas from adults. They may be anchored to the Narrative Lectionary that the MCOB Worship Committee uses as a starting point for worship text.
Special Intergenerational Sunday Services
Some of our services (approximately once per quarter) are child-centered, meaning they are shorter and feature a story and activity meant to engage all ages. One common reference in planning these services is an Intergenerational curriculum from MennoMedia. These services are often followed by a meal (potluck, pizza, etc.) and social time.
Child Care
We are developing plans to provide child care in a room outside of the worship space on the first Sunday of each month. Child care will be provided by volunteers trained in Safe Church policy, with a minimum two providers at all times. We welcome more volunteers in providing support for the growing group of children ages 7 & under who currently participate in our community.
MCOB Commitment to Relationship with Children and Youth:
We embrace the responsibility to support and care for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of children and youth in our faith community. We adults commit to teach and to learn from the children and youth in a spirit of openness and love.
We embrace the difficulty and the opportunity in discerning together – adults, youth, and children – how best to understand and learn from Biblical and other texts (especially stories) in guiding our efforts to build beloved community.
Do you have any questions? Would you like to get involved in our Children and Youth programming?
Simply send an email to menncob@gmail.com to connect with the Children and Youth Committee.