Editor's note: In August, we looked at 2 ways to be involved in children's and student's ministry. This week, we want to introduce you to a third way to be involved in the care of children in our church on an ongoing basis.
Meet Premala Jones, Nursery Coordinator
"I can't remember a time when I didn't want to hold a baby," says Premala Jones, mother of six and 15-year veteran volunteer with Parkside's Children's Ministry nursery. But it's not just babies; Premala also likes working with the different generations of women who often serve in the nursery. "I like working with young mothers and encouraging them. I see it as a prayer ministry as well," explains Premala. "My team prays for all the babies and workers. We share in each other's lives."
More Bible, Less Barney
Fifteen years ago, the Jones family was looking for a church home. When they visited Parkside, they were first struck by the "sound scriptural teaching of the Gospel," recalls Premala. "But we also wanted to make sure that our children would also benefit from the Word." Premala noted that the facilities were very open, nice and clean and that the workers were very welcoming. But what stood out for Premala was that they were also sitting down and doing Bible-related activities with the two-year-olds. "I didn't expect that at such an early age and it was quite different than some of the other churches we looked at."
It's Not Rocket Science
Premala started out volunteering in the nursery and a few years later became a coordinator for the evening services. As a nursery coordinator, Premala makes sure all the nursery rooms are staffed, stocked and sanitized. She also helps guide new volunteers to understand what it means to serve in this capacity. From getting on the ground to play with the kids at their level, to making sure people know how to change a diaper correctly, Premala embraces her responsibilities as a coordinator. The nursery team takes special needs, such as food allergies, very seriously so that parents can rest assured that their children are in capable, competent hands. But Premala also points out that it's not rocket science and volunteers are put on a rotation and are asked to serve only once every five weeks.
What Do Those Red Numbers Mean?
On the walls above the doors in the front of the auditorium, red numbers flash from time to time. It's not the number of people in attendance. It's not a clock. It's not a timer letting the pastors know that they might be running, ahem, a little long. It's a notification to parents that they are needed back at the nursery or in one of their children’s classes. When asked what the biggest challenge of working in the nursery is, Premala noted that it's knowing when to make that call to alert parents that their child is in need of them. Sometimes it's just a missing pacifier, or that a baby prefers to be held more upright than on his back. Whatever the discomfort, nursery staff are trained to try to solve the problem before disrupting a parent who is attending worship.
Learning From Multiple Generations
Nursery volunteers range in age from teenagers to grandparents. With such a diverse range of volunteers, people can benefit from each other's experiences. Premala enjoys nurturing her teenage staff members, teaching them what it means to serve and watching them mature and grow. Husbands and wives can serve together and when men serve in the nursery, the babies get a different style of play. Premala encourages everyone who might be curious about serving to pray about it. "Service is bigger than you can imagine. It's not just about working, but the privilege of being used in the simplest of service," says Premala. "If we can hold a baby and love on a baby so that moms and dads can get fed the Word, that's an awesome privilege," says Premala. "The more you do in service, the smaller the church becomes."
We are seeking new workers for our 2009-10 nursery teams. We need 45 workers for our morning teams and 35 workers for our evening teams. Workers serve once every five weeks. You may sign up at the children’s ministry table by Fellowship Hall or by contacting Kelly Coy at kcoy@parksidechurch.com.
Text and photos by Julie Hahn.
