A joyful beginning to a diocesan-wide movement to engage children in worship
Pathways to Prayer and Practice made its official debut at the 231st Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, and the response was full of energy, gratitude, and hope. Throughout the weekend, clergy, lay leaders, parents, and parish volunteers stopped by the Pathways booth to learn about the initiative. Many were hearing about it for the first time, and their excitement was immediate.
Visitors were especially drawn to the Pathways swag. Tote bags, sunglasses, pens, prayer bookmarks, notepads, and magnetic clips sparked conversations that lasted far beyond the table. More important than the items themselves was what people shared as they picked them up. We met leaders already doing caring and creative work with children in worship, as well as others eager to begin. Across the diocese there is a clear desire to widen belonging and deepen the ways children encounter God in our services.
A Full Room and a Full Conversation
The Pathways workshop, Engaging Children in Worship, drew a room that was nearly full. The group represented parishes of different sizes, geographies, and worship styles. During the session we explored the five focus areas at the heart of Pathways: Scripture, Prayer, Eucharist, Music, and Sacred Space. We began with a lively round of the Would You Rather game, inviting participants to move around the room based on their choices. Laughter quickly filled the space as people named the real tensions congregations face when welcoming children into worship.
After the movement and energy of the game, participants settled into pairs and trios for deeper conversation. They reflected on moments when a child helped them notice Jesus in worship, shared stories of what is working in their parishes, and wondered together about what might be possible next. People were honest about challenges and generous with their ideas. Many left the session saying they heard perspectives they had never considered before.
Slides from the workshop can be viewed and downloaded here:
View the Engaging Children in Worship Slides
Moving Toward Cohort 1
As shared at Convention, Pathways to Prayer and Practice will launch its first cohort of congregations in 2025 through a three-phase structure of preparation, innovation, and sustainability. We are inviting parishes of all types to apply so that the learning community reflects the full diversity of the Diocese of Virginia. A wide representation will allow us to create resources that are both context specific and helpful across the diocese.
We are currently in the second round of applications. The deadline to submit is November 30. Third round Zoom conversations with applicants will take place in early December. Congregations will be notified before the new year whether they have been selected. Communities that are not selected will receive specific feedback, and we are working on ways for all interested parishes to stay included in the spirit of this initiative.
Gratitude and Next Steps
The launch of Pathways at Convention was a reminder of how deeply people in this diocese care about children and their formation. Thank you to everyone who visited the booth, played the games, shared stories, asked questions, and encouraged the vision of this initiative.
If you want to stay connected or introduce Pathways to your parish, here are several next steps:
- Sign up for Pathways updates on the website
- Share the Pathways vision with your congregation
- Try one small practice in the next 30 days that welcomes children more fully into worship
- Invite a conversation in your parish about one change that could help children feel more at home in worship
- Share one name of a person in your parish who you believe would be a wise and creative partner in this work. We are gathering a small number of nominations for the Pathways Advisory Team.
This is only the beginning. Pathways to Prayer and Practice is a diocesan effort rooted in curiosity, belonging, and the joyful work of helping children grow in faith. We look forward to walking this path with you.Â
