My gay friend wants to take his son to a toddler group that is run by a Church - do any church-goers here run a toddler group?

[TAFKAtheUrbanDryad]

He is worried that he will get a negative reaction from the leaders. I have to say, that going by my own toddler group (church run, with a very slight Christian bias) he would certainly get a few odd looks, and possibly some nasty comments behind his back if people found out that he was gay.

I know there are going to be people who say, "How will people know?" but there is no way you could meet my friend and not realise that he's gay!

i go to 3 toddler groups and although i am not reliious, the church one i go to seems the most welcomng to all and most friendly out of the lot

We run a toddler group at my church that he would be most welcome at. It is predominantly church members, but there are a number of non-christians that go, including a muslim and two hindu ladies, and two stay at home dads. No-one attacks them, tries to evangelise to them, or talks about them in a derogatory way to their faces or behind their backs.
TBH I hadn't even thought about the fact they were there until I read your question.
I guess it depends on the type of church. Maybe you could go along with him for a few weeks and help him check out?
We all know toddler groups can be nasty places, and sadly being at a church might not making any better than the local NCT...

He would be very welcome at ours but sadly we are a long way away. It would be safer to stick to established church denominations such as C-of-E toddler groups to start with and then you can ask around the group for other toddler groups that might be good to go to and see if anyone mentions the one that is near your friend. He will be the 'odd one out' as there are so few dads at these things so he should expect a few looks. If he is enthusiastic about caring for his son and shows an interest in other mums children he will be off to a good start.