Beginning in the fall (Sept. 10th), the nursery will be restricted to newborns through age 4. Over the years, we have steadfastly refused to turn away slightly older children from the nursery but this policy tends to create a less safe environment when children over the age of four engage in rambunctious play around toddlers. During the Educational Hour, 4 years olds should be in Sunday School of course but some parents have raised a concern about young children who, having attended Sunday School for 45 minutes, are simply too wound up for "adult church" for 75 minutes following. Squirmy, wiggly children are a greater burden to their parents than they are to fellow parishioners, who worry that their kids are being a distraction to worship. This creates an opportunity for creative programming. We have decided to create a "children's chapel" for any aged children (4 and older) who would benefit from a worship offered at their level during the more adult oriented worship in the sanctuary.

We have invited the Rev. Joseph Oloimooja to join our team beginning in September as a staff person for the Children Chapel, which will be offered downstairs in Pierson Hall simultaneously with the "Pro-anaphora " (all the Prayer Book worship that precedes the Holy Communion). Our plan is simple: During the singing of the last verse of the opening hymn at 10:30 a.m., the children will be invited to follow a processional cross downstairs to Pierson Hall for Chapel, which will offer the "ministry of the word" in language they can understand. During chapel service, there will be prayers and simple movement songs and story. At the time of the Peace, an acolyte will go downstairs and bring the children up to the "big church" to join their families for the Holy Communion.

This is not meant to replace Sunday school but rather to be an additional offering in addition to Sunday school. Sunday school enrollment or participation is not a prerequisite to participation in the Children's Chapel and visitor's children are especially welcome to attend.

A little about "Father Joseph". Joseph Oloimooja received his Masters of Divinity degree from the International Theological Seminary in Los Angeles and during 18 years of professional ministry he has served several parishes in his native Kenya and in Los Angeles. He presently serves as a hospital chaplain at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Harbor City. He is married and has four adorable children who will join us for Sunday school and worship.