Children's Ministry
“Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
-Proverbs 22:6
Welcome
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me.” At
Our Kids Meet Miss America
Miss America 2010, Caressa Cameron, was a guest of FUMC at our recent A Time to Harvest Campaign. She spent some time with our children during the evening. The picture below was from that event.
Vacation Bible School
VBS 2012: Directors Needed!
Every year FUMC's Vacation Bible School reaches hundreds of children and families to share the word of Christ and bring the stories of the Bible to life. We cannot have this exciting event without a director. We are looking for individuals who would like to make VBS 2012 a reality! This year 's theme takes us to ancient Babylon. Please consider if God is calling you to share your faith with our children in this way. You will have tons of support and help. There is alret1dy a co-director as well as several key leadership positions in place. Shannon will walk the whole road with you. If you have questions or would consider this opportunity, please call Shannon Bolick at 834- 2264. There will be a meeting for all INTERESTED in helping with the leadership of VBS on Sunday, February 5 at 5:00.
Current News
Kids With Purpose
Our Kids With Purpose program is doing great things! We have about 50 children living out their faith through mission projects on Wednesday nights. So far the children have made breakfast bags for Micah, decorated placemats for the community dinner, made cobblers for the community dinner, donated socks and underwear to Micah as well as touring the facility, made window art for the cold night shelter, made God's Eyes that were distributed to children in Honduras, made UMCOR school kits and health kits, made treats our college students, and joined in fellowship and learning with each other. Carol Knott directs the program and is always looking for new mission ideas or volunteers. They have many more exciting ways to serve coming up during the next two months.
Shove (Fat) Tuesday
Families are invited to share in the annual excitement of our Shrove Tuesday pancake supper hosted by the Methodist Men on February 21 from 5:00 until 7:00. New this year, you can also celebrate together with crafts, dancing, and music. There will be different stations for families to make funny masks or noise makers. Then join our Praise Band for a concert!
What Exactly Is Rotation Sunday School?
Children in grades 2 – 5 get the opportunity to live the stories of the Bible through hands on activities in what we call Rotation Station. We focus on one story for five weeks. During that time, the children get to explore different aspects of the story each week as they participate in music, storytelling, science, media, games, art, and cooking. The children meet upstairs in the chapel for a brief gathering time led by the children’s ministry director. Afterwards, they are led by their shepherd – an adult who has made the commitment to travel with them for as short a period as five weeks or as long a period as a year – to a workshop room. Each grade level visits a different workshop each week. These workshops are led by church members who share their love of the content area, the story, the children, Jesus, or all of the above. We are finding that the children are really learning the stories better and in more detail as well as having a lot of fun. It is truly fun for adults as well.
Sunday School
Rotation Schedule
At FUMC, our second through fifth graders participate in "ROTATION STATION," a Sunday School program that lets children experience the same Bible story for five weeks through different workshops and modalities. Workshop leaders and grade level shepherds are needed for the follOWing upcoming units:
2012
- The Lord's Supper - March 18 - April 22 (not April 1 or 8) - 4th grade shepherd needed
- Timothy, Eunice, and LoiS - April 29 - June 3 (not May 27) - 2nd and 4th grade shepherds needed and science and music leaders .
- Daniel - June 17 - July 22 - All areas are needed.
- Noah's Ark - July 29 - August 26 - All areas are needed.
- Building the Tabernacle - September 9 - October 7 - All areas are needed.
- Joshua Leads The People - October 14 - November 18 (not October 21) - All areas are needed.
Check out the Rotation Station bulletin board for the complete schedule for the upcoming year. Please sign up to help in some way and share the joy of the Word with the children of our church family!
Primary Sunday School – (Age 2 – First Grade)
We also offer a traditional Sunday School environment for our children ages 3
through 1st grade. Each class meets in their own classroom in the
preschool area with dedicated teachers who make a yearly commitment.
We also offer a class for 2 year olds that meets adjacent to the nursery for
those children who are ready for simple, age appropriate lessons which change
monthly. This class does not meet in the fall but begins in January for
children who turned 2 by the end of September. We also offer a class for
children with special needs which is led by special education instructors.
Nursery Services
Children are welcome in worship, but FUMC offers a
wonderful nursery environment at most services. The nursery is located on
the preschool level and is staffed by consistent, trained, and background
checked caregivers. Pagers are provided to parents in case your child is
upset. We have separate rooms for infants and toddlers and plenty of
wonderful toys and books. During the 9:45 worship service, parents may
also utilize the infant comfort room on the second floor which allows you to
still see and hear the service.
Junior Church
During the 8:30 and 11:00 worship services, we offer a
junior church option for children ages 4 through 2nd grade. Families
attend the beginning of the service together until the children’s message.
Then those children who want to participate leave with the junior church leader
and go to hear an age appropriate version of the message and worship service in
the chapel. Afterwards they go to the junior church room to do related crafts or
games. Parents pick them up after worship in room 220. We also offer
children’s bulletins and worship bags filled with quiet activities for children
during worship services. You may pick one up next to the doors of the
sanctuary or from an usher.
We are in need of adults who would be willing to lead our children in worship a couple of times a year at either the 8:30 or 11:00 services. Lesson plans and training are provided. Please call Shannon if you would like to serve this way and worship as a child. Remember that we do not have junior church on the first Sundays of the month.
Children's Choirs
We love to hear children’s voices raised in song!
FUMC offers a music program for several age groups. All groups
perform at various worship services and occasionally in musicals.
Angel Choir – three and four year olds
meet on Wednesdays from 5:00 – 5:30 with director Melanie Haus.
Junior Choir – Children in grades
kindergarten through 2nd grade meet on Wednesdays from 5:00 – 5:40.
Treble Choir – 3rd – 6th graders meet on
Wednesdays from 5:40 – 6:25.
Chimes Choir – 8 year olds – 5th graders
meet on Sundays from 11:00 – 12:00 with director Mona Lamb.
Wednesday Night Programs
Children meet regularly on Wednesday nights from 6:30 – 7:30 during the school year.
