Pray-Ground Forum - September 2026
with Andrea Roske-Metcalfe | Hosted by WOVEN
What is a Pray-Ground?
A pray-ground is an intentional space within the sanctuary, specifically set aside for young children during worship. Filled with rugs, small tables, child-sized chairs, coloring sheets, crayons, blocks, books, and soft toys, it gives children age-appropriate ways to engage while remaining part of the worshiping community — not in spite of their wiggles and wonder, but because of them.
About the Forum
Churches across every size and denomination are asking the same question: what would it actually look like to make room for children in worship?
The Pray-Ground Forum is a full-day gathering for pastors, worship leaders, children's ministry directors, and anyone who has ever wondered whether there's a better way. Together we'll hear real stories from real churches, explore the theology of radical welcome, and discover what belonging — for the very youngest among us — could look like in your own context.
About Andrea Roske-Metcalfe
Andrea Roske-Metcalfe is a pastor, writer, and storyteller. Her ministry has been for, with, and alongside young children since the very beginning, as she seeks ways to include children as full members of faith communities. She is the founder of the Pray-Ground movement, which has resulted in intentional spaces for young children in sanctuaries and other places of worship both across the country and around the world. She currently ministers alongside the people of Diamond Lake Lutheran Church in south Minneapolis.
Event Details
Date: September 17, 2026 Time: 9:30am–3:00pm Location: First Light Fellowship | 4111 W. Innovative Dr. #108, Anthem, AZ 85086
Cost: $75 per person Use code EARLYBIRD by August 1 for $20 off Registration closes August 15
Woven Forums
Woven Forums will be 1-3 days on site at First Light. We will begin hosting them in the Fall of 2026. We will invite participants to join us for conversations and focused education on how to create congregational environments that are ready for intergenerational worship.
Some of the topics we are excited to explore and offer are:
- Children leading corporate prayer,
- changing the culture of “seen but not heard”
- nurturing faith at home
- creating interactive prayer stations
- developmental stages of children and their faith
- faith story telling
- inclusion of children with special needs in worship
- congregational play.
You can sign up below to be kept up to date on future forums. We would love to have you join us!
Give Support
We are able to continue offering creative, thoughtful, authentic ministry due to the financial support of worshipers and friends. We invite you to help us share God's light!