Family Life with Children & Youth

Wellesley Village Church is a place where your children and youth will immediately feel at home. Children’s Church and Youth Groups gather to experience the love and joy of God both personally and in relationship with each other. We learn our faith through games, art, music, Bible stories, and conversations that draw us into learning who we are in this world.

Our intergenerational community at Village Church becomes an extended family where children and youth find mentors and adults who truly care about them. These relationships provide support and nourishment for inner strength, healthy community, and spiritual growth.

Family Life is a Christian community focused on nurturing faith for children, youth, families, and parents.

Please contact any of the following directors for more information:

Director of Children’s Ministries: michaela@wellesleyvillagechurch.org
Music Director, Director of Youth Music: kevin@wellesleyvillagechurch.org
Director of Youth Ministries: pam@wellesleyvillagechurch.org

You matter to God and you matter to us.

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Explore Our Programs for Children and Youth

Children at table in church

Worship and the Prayground

Children are welcome to remain in worship with their parents.

A child-centered Prayground in our sanctuary and in our chapel are filled with books, children’s bulletins and mindful practices for children to use while they listen to worship.

Mother with her child after worship

Family Worship Room

A family worship room is open each Sunday at 9:50am for families who wish to worship together with their young children in a child-centered space with the service on a live video feed.

Childcare is provided for families who wish to drop off infants or toddlers with our nurturing caregivers during 10am worship.

Children participate in children's church

Children’s Church

Our classes are full of life and love, learning and laughter as we learn about God’s amazing love. With interactive lessons, innovative ideas, and hands on activities, we learn our faith stories and how to be in community with each other and the world we live in.

Children in preschool through 5th grade begin each Sunday with their families in the sanctuary at 10am. Children may use the Prayground or sit with their families. After the opening hymn, children will be called forward to the chancel steps for a “Time with Young Disciples” before they leave with their teachers for class on the 2nd floor. Children may be picked up from their classrooms at the conclusion of worship.

Children sing with piano

Village Children's Choir

Village Children’s Choir, for children in 2nd through 5th grade, is a vital part of our vision of helping our children grow in God’s love. With Dr. McDonald as their conductor and teacher, children will learn introductory music skills, music appreciation, and music that proclaims our faith.

Music is a transformative experience for children. Through music, children internalize and express God’s love and our faith story in a deep and personal way. Music, songs, and melodies stay with us in our memory and keep hope, faith, and love alive in our hearts. Music strengthens relationships, builds our children’s community, and helps our children learn spiritual values and concepts through another learning style.

Several times a year, the children’s choir will sing in worship often in collaboration with the Youth Choir or as part of an intergenerational choir. Children may also participate in our Christmas pageant each December.

Children’s Choir begins in the last 10 minutes of Children’s Church and continues for 20 minutes after the conclusion of 10am worship. We will bring your children to meet you in Village Common during fellowship hour when choir concludes.

Youth Choir

Youth Choir is open to all youth in grades 6 through 12. We meet each Wednesday from 6pm-6:45pm. The Youth Choir is a joyful and dedicated group of youth who enjoy making music together, having fun, and being in service to our church and community.

Trained voices and voices in training, quiet singers and loud singers, voices that have changed and voices still changing, all are welcome to join us.

We sing regularly in worship as Youth Choir or in collaboration with Village Children’s Choir or with our adult choir. The Youth Choir leads a musical Christmas pageant for the congregation during Advent and is part of Holy Week singing for Maundy Thursday and Easter service.

Middle School Youth Group engages in drawing activity

Middle School Youth Group

Youth in grades 6 through 8 meet weekly on Sunday mornings, 10am-11:15am. Our time together weaves meaningful conversation and reflection, Christian practices, and inspired play. All we do is infused with the joy that comes from a joyful God. The youth come to experience the freedom to be who they are within a non-judgmental and loving group of peers. Here, the youth find a place where they are invited and encouraged to grow closer to their own hearts, to one another, to the people in their community, and to our world. All are welcome.

Two confirmands stand together in church yard

Confirmation Class

Youth in grade 9 are invited to join our confirmation class. Sessions begin in the fall on Wednesday nights from 7pm to 8:30pm. Two weekend retreats to Cape Cod deepen confirmands’ connection. During their time together, the confirmands learn about Christian life in creative and engaging ways. They learn first hand the power of love, forgiveness, and hope as they bring to life scripture and practices such as prayer, forgiveness, holy listening, and worship. Adult advisors and high school seniors surround the confirmands as mentors. The youth who have been through confirmation say they will never forget their confirmation year. It is a powerful journey. All are welcome.

Youth gather around fire at dusk

High School Youth Group

Youth in grades 10 through 12 are invited to join our high school youth group, which meets Sunday evenings, 7pm to 8:30pm. All our youth programs are designed to offer an experience of Christian community as youth set aside the daily stressors of their lives and offer each other compassion, joy, and a listening ear. While God is at the center of our life together, doubt is part of the Christian journey. The high school youth ask a lot of good questions, and all questions are welcomed. The youth follow in Jesus’ footsteps when they ask questions of faith: Jesus asked over 300 questions to his followers in the Gospels. Questions create community through discussion and build strong relationships as the youth dive into the matters of the heart and mind with respect, wonder and laughter. Youth group is marked by love, forgiveness, holy listening, and sharing the truth of our lives in a non-judgmental environment. We play games, share food, go on weekend retreats, and we travel on a weeklong service project each year. All are welcome.

Child leans against tree

Belong

When we set down roots, we are able to grow into who God has called us to be. Whether you come from a long faith tradition or none at all, we welcome you to explore with us.

Volunteers prepare food for a free meal program

Village Table

We cook, package and deliver hundreds of homemade meals from our industrial kitchen for those experiencing food insecurity or unable to prepare meals. Do you know someone in need? Want to join us?

Youth pushes girl on tricycle

Mission Trips

Village Church sponsors mission trips such as the one to Ecuador, at For His Children, a home for children who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected.