Discussion continued over lunch

Sia, Nancy, Siân and Linda.

Linda: children are dismissed from the worship context to an educational context. ("Junior Church" vs "Sunday School".)
John Bell: ‘Jesus taught adults and played with children. We do the reverse.’

“It was great for me to find out how things are done at other churches. We all want what’s best for he children and it’s great to get other perspectives. The day opened my eyes about children and worship. At my church we have Sunday School for one hour, and then ‘Children’s Church’. We call it ‘Children’s Church’, but it is just an extension of Sunday School with different activities. I am rethinking how we are going to do things for the fall. I am leaning towards ‘Children’s Church’ being just worship time.” (Nancy)

“My understanding of the difference is the "Sunday school" has an emphasis on education whereas "Junior Church" is a continuation of worship. If we focus just on education then we deprive the Junior Church members of the "worship" part of their church experience. The Junior Church is made up of education and worship, while Sunday School is oriented around education only.” (David)