Next Gen at Salt Church!
Our kids and youth programs at Salt Church are called Next Gen and we love to welcome all families to them. People of all ages are loved by God and welcomed by God. We love that all people bring different things to our community – no less kids and youth! If your family wants to find out more about Jesus, you can come along any Sunday. Check out more info about our Sunday gatherings here.
Our 9:00 am and 10:45 am gatherings have programs for a wide range of ages, check them out below! Our Next Gen programs teach the bible amongst peers in an age-appropriate way.
We also have opportunities to explore Jesus outside Sundays, including our series called Life or catch up over a coffee with someone to talk about Jesus. If you’ve got questions about Next Gen at Salt Church, please email nextgen@saltchurch.info
What to expect at our 9:00 am and 10:45 am gatherings on Sunday
Arrive just before 9:00 am or 10:45 am to sign your kids in to their programs at the sign-in table. We’ll collect some of your information and consent so that your kids stay safe in our programs. We’ll show you where to go for each age group and introduce you to the leaders for that session. You can drop your kids off and then join in with the gathering in the main hall. We’ll let you know if your kids need you at any time. After the gathering, you can collect and sign out your kids, then spend some time getting to know others. If you feel more comfortable keeping your kids with you in the gathering, they are most welcome.
What to expect at our 5:00 pm gathering on a Sunday
Kids are welcome at 5:00 pm, but we don’t have an organised kids program. The parent’s room is available for littlies and we encourage youth to join in with the main gathering.
Safety
Kids will be signed in and out of programs and we’ll collect some information from you so we meet our duty of care for your child while they are in the program. We invite you to come and explore the spaces and meet the leaders to help you feel confident in our programs!
All leaders in our Next Gen programs and staff in our church have been trained to relate to one other in a safe and respectful way using the safe ministry training program. They also have a valid Working with Children check. We have a safe ministry policy to help children and vulnerable people stay safe.
We want all people to be safe mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically at Salt Church and 275 Keira St. When it comes to your kids and youth we have a covid safe policy you can view here.
If you have any concerns about safety in our church at any time, please feel free to contact nextgen@saltchurch.info
Next Gen programs and spaces:
Parents room
In our main hall, we have a room at the back for nursing babes and littlies. It’s been sound minimised, so kids can be noisy. It’s also equipped with an audio feed and windows so that adults can still engage with what’s happening in the church gathering.
Includes a changing table, comfy chairs, playmats, some toys & more.
Creche
Who: 0-3 year olds, sitting and eating independently and settled away from parents.
What: ‘Teaching Little Ones’ by Stephanie Carmichael. It is a simple scripted teaching time for children. You can see some info at teaching little ones. Check out the tab link to ‘First steps’.
Ideas for home: Stephanie also writes little booklets that tie in really well with the program. You might like to purchase them for your family bible time with little ones. Stephanie even does mini video’s based on these books!
Preschool
Who: 3-5 year olds
What: ‘Teaching Little Ones’ by Stephanie Carmichael. It is a simple scripted teaching time for children. You can see some info at teaching little ones. Check out the tab link to ‘Learning about God’ and ‘Introducing the Bible’.
Ideas for home: Check out these booklets and mini video’s based on the series
Lower Primary
Who: Kids at school in Kindergarten to Year 2.
What: Our Lower Primary kids use an interactive style to explore the bible with time for fun and hanging out together.
Ideas for home: Check out this simple resource for reading the bible at home with your kids; Table Talk for Families.
Upper Primary
Who: Kids at school in Year 3 to Year 6.
What: Our Upper Primary kids also use an interactive style to explore the bible with time for fun and hanging out together.
Ideas for home: Get your child their own bible and encourage them to bring it with them on Sundays.
Youth
Who: Those at school in years 7-12
What: Breakfast, bible study & a chance to hang out.
When: Sunday mornings
Where: In homes and various local sites in Wollongong
Contact: nextgen@saltchurch.info