Imagine Weekends
Imagine Weekends is designed to help families of children with special needs attend the church service, or serve in other areas during that time, at Northview Community Church while the children are cared for and learn about God.
There are a couple of options: one on one care for those that need it and we also arrange KidsTown classroom support for kids that need extra direction and to make sure they are safe.
Our desire is to provide an opportunity for children with special needs to hear the stories of Jesus, to sing songs to worship Him, and to be introduced to Jesus in a way they can understand. Future plans will include older children and adults.
This will provide a way for these families to attend church all together, knowing their child is in a safe environment.
More about the Weekends:
The Room
We have renovated a room to be sensory appropriate with lighting and sound along with various toys and items in the room.
The room is located on the second floor near the elevators at the back entrance.
The Parents
We have a form for parents and legal guardians to fill out information about their child. The form will include a place to describe your child’s needs, interests, and things to look out for. (go to the Parent FAQ’s page at imagineministries.ca for more info)
The Volunteers
The process of volunteering involves an application form, background check, reference check, and an interview. Although experience is an asset, it is not a pre-requisite. Each child will have a one-on-one caregiver. There will also be a teacher/supervisor that remains in the Imagine classroom. (go to the Volunteer Caregiver FAQ’s at imagineministries.ca for more info)
The Policies
Parents must stay in the church.
Parents are required to make a reservation, for their child by Thursday noon to ensure adequate staffing for the following Saturday. (email is the best form of contact for reservations)
A pager system will be used to contact parents if needed.
This is what Weekend Services look like:
Option 1:
1. Parents drop off their child, at the Imagine classroom, to their designated caregiver. Parent is given a pager and goes to the service.
2. The child and caregiver may attend Worship with the child’s family, or remain in the Imagine classroom for free-play time.
3. When the children are dismissed to KidsTown, the child and caregiver will join them for KidsTown Worship.
4. They will then have the option of attending their peer classroom, or return to the Imagine classroom.
5. There will be a structured time in the classroom with Bible stories – appropriate to developmental ages, singing, coloring, and crafts. If children that attend the peer class need a place to settle down, the caregiver can return to the Imagine classroom for a short time or the remainder of the time.
6. The parents will pick up their child immediately after the service. The same person who dropped signed in the child must also pick up the child, unless specific arrangements are made.
Option 2:
1. Parents, child and caregiver meet at the Youth Centre door when children are dismissed from the Worship Service.
2. Caregiver supervises child in the classroom setting. Parents need to discuss with caregiver the child’s needs and secrecy.
registration form