Children's Ministry
The purpose of our Children’s Ministry is to help children from 5 years of age to 6th graders learn Bible stories, locate the books of the Bible, do service projects and understand God’s love for everyone! We have two regular programs that operate on Sunday mornings throughout the school year. Children’s Church, for 5-year-olds-4th graders, and Faith Questions, for 5th -6th graders, meet during the church service. We
also offer a nursery available for birth – 5 years old from 9am-11:45am each Sunday. Over the summer we meet once a month to have fun, learn about God, and sustain relationships during this busy time for families. In all we do we seek to provide a nurturing environment as well as a safe one for your children. We have a safe church policy and procedures in place to ensure the safety of both the children and volunteers, including, but not limited to, background checks of all adult childcare workers. Please see details of specific classes/events below.
Time with Children
During our worship service each Sunday, there is a “Time with Children” for 5 year olds through 6th graders. The children come to the front of the church and are offered a short and interactive Children’s Message. Following this time, all children, ages 5 – 6th grade, are dismissed to attend classes upstairs behind the sanctuary.
Throughout the year and during the Time with Children, the children help collect monthly offerings for the Tangi Food Pantry called “Coins for Christ”. They also distribute special items to the congregation on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparents Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day.
Children’s Church
Children’s Church is a special worship time for our children, ages 5-4th grade. We use the Godly Play curriculum, which is recommended by Duke divinity school. Godly Play is an interpretation of Montessori religious education. It is more like spiritual guidance than what is typically thought of in the church as children’s education. Through interactive hands-on stories children experience the mystery of God’s presence in their
lives. Children are taught how to enter into parables, contemplative silence, sacred stories and liturgical action of the Christian language system to discover more about God, themselves, others, and God’s presence in the creation that surrounds and is within us. The children have been enjoying this story-based curriculum.
Faith Questions
Faith Questions is the curriculum we use for our 5th and 6th grade class. Faith Questions is centered around questions tweens and teens may have about God and religion. Each session encourages them to look to Scripture, as well as our faith tradition, in relevant and responsive ways. There are movies, music, and other media suggestions woven throughout the curriculum. The students also have very interactive, hands-on lessons, which this age group truly enjoys!
OTHER CHILDREN’S OPPORTUNITIES
During the summer, we offer a summer experience for the children, and we encourage them to bring a friend. This is offered one day a week for a limited timeframe. The children will share a meal, learn bible stories, work with crafts and play games. Special guests will also present topics and/or other active learning experiences.
Trunk or Treat is a free and fun family event for our children and for the children of our
community. This is typically in the early evening on the Sunday before Halloween.
FORMS