CWM

New Zealand kids friendly churches multiply

Thursday, 04 June 2009 14:55

Churches in New Zealand have been learning how to make their Sunday worship an event children won't want to miss at a special conference in Dunedin.

Kids Friendly coach Jill Kayser from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, led several workshops at the South Island Ministry Conference advising churches on how to provide a more welcoming and inclusive environment for children.

Sponsored by CWM, the scheme encourages churches to carry out a self-review before coming up with ways to ensure young members of the congregations are fully involved in church worship and activities.

As the first presbytery to embrace Kids Friendly and with more Kids Friendly churches than any other in New Zealand, Jill holds the region dear.

The work she has started there will be continued by Dunedin regional Kids Friendly coach, Cheryl Harray.

Jill said: "It was wonderful to be included in, and lead workshops at, the in Dunedin last week. Dunedin holds a special place in my heart as it was the first presbytery to embrace Kids Friendly.

“I was encouraged at the conference to see almost every hand in the room rise when people were asked, “Who knows about Kids Friendly?” Churches all over New Zealand are catching the Kids Friendly vision of being “communities of inclusion, belonging and nurture”, for children and families."