Children’s Ministry
Together we build up our kids on the foundation of Christ’s love.
“He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
Matthew 18:2-5
Frolic Nursery
For little ones 0-3 years old.
Available from 10 AM - 11:30 AM.
Our nursery is newly refurbished and stocked with all sorts of fun toys and books for your little one! We have new Frolic Nursery board books, too! Also, be on the lookout each month for a parent newsletter to take home that corresponds to your child’s age.
All of our nursery volunteers undergo Safe Church training, so you can rest assured that your children are safe while you join us for the service. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Children’s Ministry Director, Chrissie Coombs, or our Frolic Nursery Leader, Lauren Tenaglia. We are looking forward to seeing you at church!
Godly Play
4-6 years old; Pre-K-1st Grade
Dismissed during the 10:15 AM service.
On Sunday mornings during the 10:15 AM service, all children ages 5 and older are led by a special children’s procession to an age-appropriate class in our Education Wing.
For Preschool through 1st graders, this is Godly Play. The mission of Godly Play is “Making meaning through story, wonder, and play. Nurturing spiritual lives by honoring the centrality, competency, and capacity of children.”
We start with an opening prayer while sitting in a circle, and then the storyteller presents a Montessori-style lesson using props that the kids can see and touch. Following our story time, the children choose activities to work on such as Legos or artwork until we join our families back in church. Please feel free to visit our classroom or observe a class!
If you have any questions, you can reach out to Children’s Ministry Director, Chrissie Coombs, or our Godly Play leader, Tracy Hamm.
Whirl is an action acronym for our class format: Welcome, Hear, Respond, Launch. We watch a short animated video featuring kids who go to Sunday school together, and we learn from the lectionary reading of the day. We discover what is happening in the Bible story, what it means for kids today, and we teach the lectionary connection too. We learn about the Eucharist as well, as we devote time to Intentional Communion each year.
Each segment covers 5-10 minutes of lesson time:
The class will watch a 5-minute video featuring the Whirl Kids. These videos are a highlight of our class time. They are funny and an imaginative way to teach concepts related to the scripture reading of the day.
The kids will be in a more classroom-like setting. We gather around tables and sit in chairs for learning time. We will be listening and learning in a new way, but we will also have plenty of group interaction and activities that get us moving and have fun together.
Part of the fun is when a lesson calls for a treat. Please respond with permission and note if any allergens are to be avoided. This is really important information for us to have on file!
Intentional Communion will take place in the Spring. Even if your child currently receives the Eucharist, this instruction is so important. We changed the name from the traditional First Communion to recognize that we all are continually learning to be intentional about understanding what happens at the Table and in our worship traditions.
Whirl Lectionary
6-8 years old; 1st-3rd Graders
Dismissed during the 10:15 AM service.
Connect
4th Grade and up!
Dismissed during the 10:15 AM service.
Connect Class is a Genesis through Revelation Bible class that is specifically designed for older children. It has 10 Units that each last about 4-5 weeks, covering an overarching theme, like Creation. In the lesson time, the class will explore 3-4 passages from the Bible that illustrates God’s great plan for His children. It helps build a solid faith foundation and also provides kids with relatable ideas of how to manage common situations they will encounter in the school years ahead. It is a great curriculum, filled with solid theology, and well thought out to make the learning interesting and memorable for the kids.
Here are some things to know:
Connect class now meets in the second classroom on the right side of the hall at 10:15 AM. Children go straight to class (not dismissed from the worship service) and receive a 45-minute lesson.
Each child receives their own brand new Connect Bible to use at church. They will write in it, draw, circle words, and flip through from OT to NT several times in each lesson.
We will have donuts (store bought usually)––doing our best to stay nut-free. This is the perk for the older kids, and they enjoy having a bite to eat while they chat before the lesson begins. If you have a child with an allergy, please let us know a preferred brand or an alternative they would like.
They are now officially the ‘big kids’ in Children’s Church. This class setting is more like school than the kids have experienced at church so far. We still have fun, but in a large class, following directions will help everyone. Please prepare your child for the expectation that when the teacher is talking, it’s important to listen!
The teaching teams are: Alicia & Paul Wholley, Liz & Ken Johnson, Janet & Robert Shadoin, and Deb & Dave Jones. The kids are in excellent hands to learn more about the Bible and God’s great love in providing for His children. We are very thankful for their talents!