At our All Ages Worship in November, we tried out having a Soul Work table towards the back of the Chapel. This was a place for people of all ages, but especially for children, to engage in the service topic in some more hands-on ways. We had coloring sheets, as well as materials for beading and origami, and other crafty-tactile things to do with our hands. This seemed to be a great addition to the worship experience. So, beginning on December 1, we will be experimenting with having a Soul Work Table in the chapel every Sunday.

Like all changes, this might take us some time to adjust to and work out the kinks. However, I believe that ultimately this will be a positive thing. And, it’s just an experiment; if we find that a Soul Work Table doesn’t work well to meet the needs of our community, then we’ll try something different. In the meantime, you can find the Soul Work Table towards the back of the Chapel, under the Choir Loft each Sunday. 

I imagine you might have lots of questions about why a Soul Work Table and what it will include. Below is a sort of an FAQ. I encourage you to take some time to read through it and bring your sense of curiosity and openness to the Table this Sunday. 

In the spirit of love and faith, 

Aria Curtis (she/her), Director of Family Ministry

FAQs About Soul Work Tables

Question: Why a Soul Work Table? 

We know that there are many ways to access the important messages and inspiration we receive in worship. Having these creative opportunities available during worship allows us to become co-creators, engaging deeply in the topic. We also know that, like meditation, things like knitting or other hand-craft activities can promote mindfulness and grounding. They allow us to settle into something repetitive, with just enough focus, to be present to the service.

So, this table offers things like simple embroidery, coloring pages, and pipe cleaners, which people of all ages are invited to use to engage with the service topic in a new way.

Question: Don’t we already have a fidget cart? 

We do! And it’s served us pretty well. However, the fidget cart is set up for people to pick something up and bring it to their seats. The vision behind the fidget cart was one of flexibility, thinking that a child could sit wherever their parents are sitting, anywhere in the chapel, and use the items on the fidget cart. These were good intentions, but it also meant that children were often walking back and forth from the carts to their seats a fair amount. It’s a little simpler for everyone to just have a place set aside for children to work with those fidget-y, Soul Work items, where they’re not trying to hold everything in their lap and they can try a few different things without walking back and forth to the cart. 

Question: Won’t it get noisy? Will we still be able to have a contemplative service? 

It’s not impossible that there will be a little more noise around the Soul Work Table, than we might be used to. But—to be clear—this is not an activity table or a drop-off-to-play space. The craft and handwork items at the Soul Work Table are placed there as aids to engaging with worship, not to be a distraction.  We ask that parents/guardians sit with or nearby their children, to support them as needed. 

If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to watch the first five-ish minutes of the All Ages Worship from November 15, for some suggestions around staying grounded and open during worship—and some reflections about what we think of as noisy. 

Question: What about mess? 

Again, the Soul Work Table isn’t really an activity table, and there won’t be anything there that lends itself to making a huge mess (like paint or kinetic sand). But, there will undoubtedly be scraps of paper or bits of string on or around the table. We ask that parents/caregivers help their children take responsibility for the materials they use and clean up after themselves. We’ll have a small tray on the table, specifically for the odd scraps and bits of things that need to be thrown away (note: this small tray is not a general trash receptacle). 

Question: Don’t we have religious exploration groups for children and teens during the service?

We do and lots of kids and teens are participating in those groups. But, there are some children for whom the service is just where they want to be, and there are lots of reasons that might be the case:

• This is their first time at UUC and they’re feeling nervous about meeting a bunch of kids and/or being separate from their parents. 
• They love the music and want to sing with the congregation. 
• They’re feeling a little low-energy or might be experiencing some stress or grief, and being in a more contemplative place with their parents/caregivers would really meet their needs in the moment. 
• They’re curious about the service and what their parents/caregivers get up to each week. 

We have a wonderful set of programs for children and teens each week, and on average we’re seeing somewhere around 55-60 kids participating in them each Sunday. And each week, there are at least a couple of kids who choose to attend the service. It’s all faith development, including worship, and curiosity about, or seeking out worship, is something to celebrate and nurture. After all, that’s what we, as adults do; don’t we want the children of our faith to know worship and all that it includes (singing, community, feeling a part of something larger than ourselves, spiritual sustenance or comfort) is there for them when they need it? 

Regardless of the reason a kid might choose to participate in worship, our goal is to make this a warm and welcoming experience for them and their parents/caregivers.

Question: Is the Soul Work Table just for kids? 

No, definitely not, though, the materials are gathered with kids in mind. And, we do ask that any adults wishing to use the items on the Soul Work Table give the kids first choice and make sure that there are plenty of materials for kids at the table. But, any adult who would like to grab some embroidery or pipe cleaners, etc. to work with during the service, is welcome to. I can’t be the only adult who finds that crocheting or making a friendship bracelet is a centering or grounding thing to do.

If you find yourself with a question that isn’t answered here, you can usually find Aria near the Children’s Suite on Sundays. She loves the Soul Work Table and is happy to talk more about it!