Pathways to Prayer & Practice

What Is Pathways to Prayer & Practice?

Pathways to Prayer & Practice is a diocesan initiative that supports churches in making worship more welcoming and meaningful for children. Through a blend of coaching, collaborative learning, and practical experimentation, congregations are invited to explore how children can be more fully present and involved in worship life.

This initiative grows out of a shared belief that children are not the future of the church, but part of its heart today.

Why This Matters

Many congregations want to welcome children in worship but aren’t always sure how to create meaningful engagement. Church leaders ask important questions:

How can worship invite children into a deeper connection with God?

How do we support families, not just during Sunday worship, but in the daily rhythms where faith is formed at home?

 What approaches will work in our context?

Pathways is designed to help churches move forward by offering support, space to explore, and opportunities to learn from others. Through this initiative, congregations will:

• Move beyond accessibility to full, active participation
• Incorporate children’s voices into liturgy and leadership
• Experiment with worship practices tailored to their context
• Connect with peers across the Diocese for support and idea-sharing

This work is not about having the perfect program. It’s about faithful experimentation, shared learning, and making worship a place where all ages can encounter the presence of God.

Our Vision

We envision a Diocese where children are welcomed not as distractions or future members, but as full participants in our worshiping communities.

Through Pathways to Prayer & Practice, we hope to nurture a culture where:

• Children’s voices are heard and valued in worship
• Families feel equipped and supported in their life of faith, both on Sundays and throughout the week
• Worship reflects the richness of all generations gathered together
• Churches approach change with curiosity, courage, and grace

This vision isn’t about programs or perfection. It’s about forming communities that reflect the heart of God—where all ages grow together in prayer, praise, and practice.

What We Hope to See

This work begins with a belief: when children are welcomed fully into worship, the whole congregation is strengthened. Change doesn’t happen overnight. But through faithful experimentation, shared learning, and encouragement from peers, new possibilities emerge.

Pathways invites churches to imagine what’s possible when children are seen not as future participants, but as present leaders, learners, and worshipers. It also recognizes that meaningful change requires risk, creativity, and openness to trying new things.

Through this initiative, churches are encouraged to:

• Invite children to read scripture, lead prayer, and participate visibly in worship
• Create worship environments that are welcoming across ages and abilities
• Support families in growing their faith together through shared practices
• Learn from one another across the Diocese
• Embrace a spirit of experimentation, knowing that every attempt is a step toward deeper understanding

What Participation Looks Like

Each year, a group of churches joins a learning cohort through the Pathways Institute. Together, they explore new ways of engaging children in worship and try them out in real time.

This is not about implementing a set curriculum. It’s about discovering what works in your own context through experimentation, reflection, and community support.

Participating churches:

• Receive coaching and support from ministry leaders
• Gather monthly with peers to share ideas and insights
• Test out new worship practices in their own congregations
• Attend an Annual Summit to deepen learning and connection

Each church focuses on five core areas of worship engagement with children:

1. Scripture – Helping children hear and share God’s Word
2. Prayer – Nurturing children’s prayer life in community
3. Eucharist – Welcoming children into the mystery and meaning of communion
4. Music – Celebrating children’s voices through song and sound
5. Sacred Space – Creating environments that honor the full presence of children

The heart of Pathways is exploration. By trying, reflecting, and adapting, churches will discover deeper ways to welcome children into the worshiping body of Christ.

A Shared Commitment

This initiative is part of our diocesan call to love Jesus, embody justice, and be disciples. It reflects a commitment to welcome and nurture children not only in classrooms or fellowship halls, but at the center of our common worship.

Every church has gifts to offer in this work, no matter its size, location, or starting point. Pathways is here to support and encourage the next faithful step.