Children are very welcome at ecofaith!

Over the last year a fairly regular group of pre-teens has been coming, and playing well together.

Kids are free to stay with us (we often have a story), or play together in the gravel and creek bed just next to us. Many wander back and forth. Sometimes we invite them to various activities, like scavenging fallen objects and building displays.

Some kids sit on their parents the whole time for a couple of weeks, making it tricky for them to contemplate, but soon seem to want to head off and explore. We are happy for that to happen at their own pace.

In summary, in 2009 we played it fairly much by ear with the children, allowing them to engage with us as much as they wanted, and supervising them when they didn't.

Our aim is for the children to be able to engage with us, each other, life and the God of life in their own way, and for all the adults present to find ways to create the space and security needed for parents to be able to do the same, without always needing one eye and ear on their children.

If you are new and your child is making noise and unsettled, THAT'S FINE (even if it makes you want to crawl into a hole). Last year we all learned to get along, and we're optimistic that the same will be true this year.

Pets

(While we meet in St Andrews over winter pets are still welcome, but there are no fences and several roads, so bring a chain)

A number of people have brought dogs with them to ecofaith, which has worked out fine. If you dog is the kind to run all over blankets and people on blankets, then there are plenty of places to tie them to for the duration. Ten minutes of ball throwing on the oval before we start might also help!