Community UMC Naperville - Ministries for Children

Children's Ministries

Jesus said to them, "Let the children come to me; For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these"; then he took the children into his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

igNITE, a special evening of pizza, pop, and fun for children in third through fifth grade, is Friday, Nov. 4 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. The cost is $15 - or free if you bring a guest (and guests get in free too)! Get the PDF registration form and RSVP to Maria Wilcox by Oct. 28. You can also download the PDF flyer to help publicize the event.

Click on the links at left to find out more about our ministries for children.

You may also be interested in our youth ministries.

Worship

As a congregation we are aware that the way we welcome children in worship directly affects the way they respond to church as well as to their relationship with God. We strive to let children know and feel that they are at home at all times in our worship. Children are welcome in all of our services, and can actively participate through their involvement in the children's choirs, as acolytes, and as greeters and ushers at the OnCenter service.

Childcare

The Nursery Ministry provides loving, nurturing care for Community UMC's youngest preparatory members and visitors. The nursery staff and volunteers help children experience God's love as they are given nurturing care and affection in a loving Christian environment. Developmentally appropriate toys and activities guide their learning as they play. Our goal is to make church experiences for the very youngest child a positive, loving and fun experience from the very first day.

Children two and under are welcomed by experienced caregivers each week. Paid caregivers are assisted by adult volunteers in providing the ministries to our youngest children. Nursery care is available on Sunday mornings from 8:30 to noon and during many evening activities and meetings.

Safe Sanctuaries Policy

Community United Methodist Church adheres to the denominational and conference requirements of a "Safe Sanctuaries Plan," and also has a Child Abuse Prevention Policy for safe ministries with children and youth (birth through age 18). We do this because we want to continue to keep our children and youth safe at CUMC. What this means:

We will have 2 adults present in each room of children and youth.
Any youth volunteers will be at least 5 years older than the children they are assisting and will have an adult present in the classroom with them.
There is advance notice given to parents and to the pastors regarding any food served in classrooms or any trips out of the building.
Each children and youth ministry volunteer will complete a background check.
All children ages birth through fifth grade will be signed in and out of all Sunday morning ministries and other activities by a parent or guardian over the age of 16. Sign-in can be done at the doors to the Choir rooms and child's Sunday School room.
During our 11:00 worship services, parents are asked to complete a "Passport" (located in the pews of the Sanctuary or on the table at OnCenter) for children going to Children's Chapel, indicating essential information about the child on the form.
Adult volunteers will immediately report any behavior that seems abusive or inappropriate to the pastors.

A complete copy of CUMC's Safe Sanctuaries plan is available. Please contact the church office for more information.

9:30 Sunday School – Age 3 through Fifth Grade

Children age 3 through fifth grade meet each Sunday in the Chapel at 9:30 a.m. After their parents sign them in, the children participate in singing together for fifteen minutes, learning songs which they will sing in worship several times a year and at the Christmas Concert.

At 9:45 a.m. they break into groups by age and go to their classrooms to learn and grow in their faith with age-appropriate lessons and activities. Children may be signed out of their classrooms at 10:30 a.m.

Age 3: Room 204
Age 4 through Kindergarten: Room 205
Grades 1 and 2: Room 206
Grades 3 to 5: Room 207

Children in grades 3 through 5 may want to join IGNITE and participate in worship services.

Junior High

Junior High, for grades 6 to 8, gathers in the Youth Room (303) with the Senior High students for a time of fellowship and worship. Junior High then goes to their own classrooms for Confirmation.

Grades 6 and 7 are in room 306. Youth learn more about their faith, God and the Bible, the Christian Church and the United Methodist Church.

Grade 8 is in room 305. Youth undertake a more intensive exploration of their faith and beliefs in preparation for confirmation in the spring quarter.

Contact Nick Giannasi for more information about the confirmation program.

Senior High

For those who want to go deeper in their Christian exploration, SHYFt SS (Senior High Sunday School) meets every Sunday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the youth room. In these classes we worship together, and talk about things that are relevant to your life and your relationship with Christ.

Children's Church

During 8:30 and 11:00 Sunday worship, children ages 4 through second grade are invited to come together for Children's Church. During their time together, the children will hear more about the Scriptures and discover ways that they can apply the message of the day in their own lives of faith. Children's Church lasts until the end of the service, after which families can sign out their children.

Club K2

Club K2 is a social and service group for children in kindergarten through second grade. Club K2 meets as part of Sunday Nite Alive each Sunday from 4:00 to 6:00.

IGNITE

IGNITE is a social and service group for third through fifth graders. IGNITE meets as part of Sunday Nite Alive each Sunday from 4:00 to 6:00. Youth in IGNITE may participate in worship as acolytes and as greeters and ushers.

Rainbow Dancers

This animated children's dance ensemble ranges in age from 5 year olds to eighth grade and is led by Donna Pries. Children of all abilities are encouraged to join. Through movement, these children learn about worshiping God with their whole body. Rainbow Dancers rehearse on Monday nights from 5:30-6:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary, and dance in our services once a month.

For more information on this ensemble, contact Stephen Edwards.