Children are an important part of our church community. The Ark children’s ministry aims to provide excellent care for our children and to show and teach them about God and themselves. Our hope is that they will experience the presence of God and know that they are safe, welcomed, and loved.

Vineyard’s Approach to Children’s Ministry
We believe that kids and young people get to know God and participate in God’s work. While their relationship with God might look different than an adult’s, children are not too young to pray to and hear from God. Through the Bible, prayer, and meaningful relationships with their peers and safe adults, kids can learn what God is like and experience his love. 

For younger children, we focus on helping kids know what God is like and how deeply he loves them. As children grow, we help them begin to consider how God’s love and character affect their everyday lives. The Ark is a place where kids can play, have fun, and be themselves as God delights in them. Our prayer is that each child’s time in the Ark becomes part of a lifelong journey of faith. 

Age Groups
Babies and children up through 5th grade are welcome in the Ark. Currently, we care for children in four classrooms:

• Nursery: Birth - age 2

• Preschool: age 3-5 (born before/during June 2021)

• Younger elementary: age 5 (born after June 2021) - 2nd grade

• Older elementary: 3rd-5th grade

The Vineyard youth group serves youth in 6th-12th grade.

What to Expect
The Ark children’s ministry runs during the first half of our service (approximately 10:30-11:15).  When arriving at Vineyard, parents are asked to sign in their children at the check-in station in the lobby. Depending on age, kids will have free play time or a structured activity to begin the morning, and then activities and teaching based on the curriculum for the week. 

Once the sermon is finished, teachers will escort kids (preschool age and up) into the auditorium to join their parents and the rest of the church family for communion and worship. Parents of babies are asked to go to the nursery to pick up their children at this time. We welcome any extra noise or chaos that comes with them!

What to Bring
Kids don’t need to bring anything to the Ark except themselves! For babies, parents are welcome to provide bottles, snacks, toys, or anything else that would be helpful in caring for their child. Ark volunteers will not change diapers unless a parent gives explicit permission.

Children in the Service
If you prefer, your children are welcome to stay with you in the auditorium throughout the service rather than going to the Ark. On the welcome table, we offer coloring pages to help keep kids occupied during the service.

Safety & Security
Charlottesville Vineyard Church seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment in which children and youth can learn about and experience God's love. Our Child and Youth Safety Policy outlines the steps we take to protect the children entrusted to our care. These include:

• On Sunday mornings, a parent, guardian, or other caregiver must check each child into the Ark. Individuals other than approved Ark volunteers, parents, and background-checked church leaders are generally prohibited from entering the Ark area.

• All adult volunteers working with children and youth must pass a background check. Volunteers must also complete an application detailing their past experience working with children, explaining why they want to work with children, and disclosing any past neglectful, abusive, or violent behavior. All volunteers are vetted and approved by the Children’s Pastor before being allowed to serve.

• In general, two background-checked adults are present in each classroom. In instances where this is not possible, classroom doors are left open and a volunteer will circulate outside the classroom area or be within easy reach. Under no circumstances will anyone be alone in a closed room with a child.

• Due to food allergies, the Ark does not provide food and drink (other than water) for children.

• If you have questions about child safety and security at Vineyard, please contact our Children’s Pastor, Emily Merricks.