News and Views

By Rev. Alexis F. Brown

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”  -Matthew 19:14

McKendree-Simms-Brookland UMC is celebrating the removal of a pew to create a space designed for children and their parents to worship. For those in the secular world looking to attract families, this small renovation is not a radical or revolutionary idea.

The reality is that most successful businesses and communities outside of traditional churches effectively understand their messaging by evaluating and providing resources for the needs of their consumers. It’s the church that has grappled with this challenge to create a space to reach those they wish to be in communion with.

I came to McKendree-Simms-Brookland UMC as the senior pastor, pregnant with my baby daughter, who is now almost two years old. My husband is often in the pews with our children. He is so supportive of me, but I noticed without complaint that there were many times he felt it necessary to step out to keep our daughter quiet. It was there that the Lord gave me a vision that could help address his needs and our daughter's."

My husband, Chris Brown, acknowledges the challenge of being present with a toddler and three other children. “I prepare as much as I can, but every Sunday, I find myself praying that she doesn’t cry so I can listen to the entire service,” he said.

I did not originate the concept of removing a pew for children. Capitol Hill UMC, where Pastor Rev. Stephanie Vader serves, implemented this in their worship space.

One of McKendree-Simms-Brookland UMC's goals is to have a thriving children and youth community, but the task of removing the pew seat was not an immediate initiative.

I knew that removing a pew in the church would be radical to some folks. Some people have attachments to things for many different reasons. -The pew could be the place where their grandma or mother sat. So I really had to walk the church through this process. 

I designed a workshop for the church members to role-play and see themselves through the lens of the people who don’t come to church. “It was exciting to learn about other people’s feelings and stages of life, to see parents have to deal with children, as I have never had children, it woke me up,” said Mary Harris.

It was eye-opening for the church to think about what spaces are for the children and parents we say we want. I even realized that if I wasn’t the pastor, I would probably join worship online, and the church that I love would not see me every Sunday.

In April of 2024, the church voted to remove a pew on both sides, one for wheelchair accessibility and the other for the kid's space.

The urge to move on the space came with some nudging. This did not happen overnight. I had help. The lectionary scriptures consistently talked about children, then the church celebrated Grandparent’s Day. That day we had an abundance of children and parents, but nothing out of the ordinary for them. I was so embarrassed and wished the space was prepared. I finally just said we have to do this. The Scriptures transformed me too. The idea is to create ramps, and places of accessibility at the table for all to come.

On Oct. 20, the space was finished. I serve the best church in Northeast D.C., and last Sunday, there were a lot of kids in the space. They seemed pretty excited about it. My prayer is that this space will be the gift that offers generous hospitality to not only my family, but to the many families that will come. I hope they will know that we have thought of them and prepared for them to be at the Worship Table.

The church consecrated the Kid Space on Oct. 27