| Children
and Worship |
| Families
attend the worship service together. All children are strongly encouraged
to participate in the opening minutes of the service by reading of the prayers,
standing and singing of hymns, and coming to the front of the Sanctuary
for the Children’s Participation (children’s sermon). Children also can
be involved in the worship by being an acolyte, greeting and ushering with
their families or singing in the Junior Choirs. Sunday Morning Schedule 9:50 a.m. .................Beam Nursery is staffed to receive infants and children under the age of 3 years. The nursery is audio-equipped. 10:00 a.m. ...............Children worship with parents in the Sanctuary. 10:15-11:15 a.m. .....Lesson time in the classrooms. The year is divided into six-week units during which the children learn by experiencing stories through art, drama, music, storytelling, and mission activities. Summer Sundays The Children's Ministries Committee, with the help of volunteers, offers childcare (not Sunday school) for children ages 3 (pre-K) through 5th grade during the summer. Children may go to Rooms 1-2 for crafts, books and puzzles, or visit the playground, weather permitting. For children under the age of 3, the audio-equipped Beam Nursery is available, but not supervised. The Library is also audio equipped. Communion In this church it is the parents’ decision as to when a child should receive communion. The staff, along with the Children's Ministries Committee, offer the opportunity for parents and children to explore the meaning of communion and to participate in a small communion service every Fall. One of the most important learning experiences for children and parents is sharing the sacraments together. Parents are always free to bring their children from church school classes into the worship service for the celebration of communion. On World Wide Communion Sunday in October, children in second grade and above return to the Sanctuary to join their families to witness or partake in communion. Fellowship Some favorite Children's Ministries activities include: the Lenten supper programs on Wednesday evenings during Lent with crafts centered around a theme; the December all-church decorating and children's Christmas crafts; the Christmas Eve family service of singing and enacting the Christmas story; Celebration Sunday in June when the children participate in the worship service, often performing a musical play. |
 Church School Staff and Volunteers The Director of Children's Ministries is employed by the church and is responsible for the coordination of the entire program. Any questions or concerns may be addressed to Carla Crooker, 257-6033 or e-mail carlacrooker@gmail.com. The Church School is staffed entirely by volunteers who participate as classroom teachers or as leaders of the various programs. Teachers serve in the Fall, Winter and Spring semesters for approximately 6 weeks and teach as part of a team. They meet regularly with the Children's Ministries Director who helps with lesson planning and preparing crafts.  Goals of Our Program Our mission in the Children's Ministries program is to ensure that children come to know their church as a safe place to worship, learn about God and our Church, and develop a strong faith community. The programs support the religious and social education of infants through eighth graders through Sunday school and other activity events throughout the year. |
 "Kids Helping Kids" --Children’s Outreach Opportunities The church school children are involved in various service projects throughout the year such as Thanksgiving food baskets delivered to needy families in the area; the Warm Woolly Tree for collecting scarves, hats and mittens; making lunches for the Friendship Center; Heifer Project; and helping to save Costa Rica's rainforests. |