Happy voices of children and adults, the sounds of building blocks being turned into towers and castles, and the clatter of “food” being prepared all emanate from the church nursery most Sundays during the year. The colorful rooms offer a myriad of fun learning activities for young children. Especially popular with the current group of preschoolers is the Matchbox race track. Nursery at Sylva First Baptist Church is a busy and happy place during Sunday School and worship service.
In recent sermons, Reverend Mathis shared how Jesus used agricultural references in many of his teachings. The word “nursery” has roots (pardon the pun) in agriculture, specifically horticulture. As early as the 1560s, a nursery was a “place where trees are raised to be transplanted”. Other meanings include “attentive care” and “state of being fostered” -- all perfect examples of what our nursery represents.
An important aspect of the nursery are the volunteers who serve there. Over 20 adults serve in the nursery on a rotating basis during the year. Some are young moms and dads with nursery-aged children, some are parents of older children, some are grandparents and older adults, some have no children. There are even some older children and youth who volunteer alongside the adults. All share a love for children. They realize the importance of having a place for our youngest ones to be cared for, nurtured, and prepared for “transplanting” into the bigger church.
I recently came across an article entitled “7 Reasons to Serve in the Church Nursery” by Tony Kummer. It encapsulates my feelings about the significance of this special place and the volunteers who serve there. In a nutshell, the 7 reasons are:
#1: God is in the church nursery. When children are welcomed and loved in Jesus’ name, you can feel God’s presence.
#2: The workers in the nursery allow parents to focus on worship, rather than worrying about their children.
#3: The first (and sometimes lasting) feelings a child will have toward church is formed in these rooms.
#4: Nursery volunteers are special folks to be entrusted with the little ones God has given us.
#5: Volunteers follow Jesus’ example of putting others first. Their involvement is a ministry.
#6: First impressions are important. For young families, the nursery may be the first contact they have with the church. The friendly greeting and safe, nurturing care provided by volunteers make a great first impression for our church.
#7: Serving in the church nursery provides a powerful opportunity for prayer. Praying for children in their care is another aspect of this important ministry.
It is always fun to visit the nursery after worship service and see the interaction between the volunteers, the parents, and the children. The volunteers share how the morning went, the parents express their appreciation, and the children are excited to see their parents and show them what they have been doing. There is always clean-up to take care of but the nursery workers happily put away toys and take out the garbage, often with the help of parents and children.
There are smiles all around and I, for one, am grateful for this space in our church, for parents who bring their young children to church, and for the people who dedicate time to love and nurture our little ones.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14