Children's Church
Our Vision
We believe that children have an innate spirituality that can be articulated and nurtured through appropriate liturgy and language.
- Our theology includes the following:
– Deep Incarnation: Christ is not only present in the person of Jesus but in all that is seen and unseen.
– Process Theology: Through the life-giving God, who is Love, the process of evolutionary creation continues and we are called to be co-creators with God in the creation of a flourishing, just and peaceful world.
– Theology of Blessing and Accompaniment – the death of Jesus was not to atone for our sins but an act of solidarity and blessing. - Our spirituality is Sacramental. Children and all humans have a sense of the sacred. We use ritual to express and give meaning to the inexpressible. We embrace the seven Sacraments of the Catholic church and also understand that the grace and energy of each sacrament can be opened and broadened to encompass the sacramentality of daily life and all life’s milestones.
- We welcome all and are inclusive of all, regardless of age, gender, race and orientation.
- Our liturgies are child-centered but not exclusive to children and all are welcome to join in our embodied Eucharistic prayer.
- We are rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition but do not believe that this is the only way and are open to the inclusion of aspects of all faith traditions in our liturgies.
- We follow the church liturgical year in a broad sense and in a way that children can feel comfortable and engaged. We are aware that secular holidays and the circle of life play a part in their daily lives too.
- We are rooted in Catholic Social teaching with its awareness of different levels of privilege, and we strive to bring justice and peace so that the vulnerable are protected and all of creation is respected.
- We believe that church is community and we discern together how the community is being led by the Holy Spirit.
- The community is gathered by a Roman Catholic Womanpriest and is aligned with the worldwide RCWP Movement. This is a reform movement within the Catholic church.
- Roman Catholic Womenpriests are validly ordained through Apostolic succession. Our ordination is biblically, theologically and sacramentally valid. It is only Canon law that refutes it and we remain open to dialogue with the Vatican.
We look forward to growing a community where children can grow in faith and freedom.
Mass Times
We will meet monthly from January 2026
Venue and time: tbc
Priest: Rev. Maryanne von Essen
Contact: mvonessenn@gmail.com
