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.

Click on the links at left to find out more about our ministries for children. You can also download our Children's Ministries Handbook in PDF form.

You may also be interested in our youth ministries.

Children and 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. Each of our Sunday services features a Time With Children in which children get an age-appropriate opportunity to explore the Gospel in a hands-on way.

Child care for children under two years of age is available during all services in the Nursery at 20 N. Center.

Nursery and 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. We seek to build a sense of trust in young children as a foundation for teaching about God's love.

Children from birth up to two years of age 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-noon and is also available during many evening activities and meetings, so that parents may participate in Bible Study, attend meetings, and join in other church activities.

The Nursery is in our 20 N. Center building.

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 Minister of Christian Education 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 Beth Elders.

A complete copy of CUMC's Safe Sanctuaries plan is available. Please contact Beth Elders for more information.

9:30 Sunday School – Age 2 through Fifth Grade

Toddlers age 2 and 3 –
Toddlers are full of energy! They also have a natural curiosity about the world around them and love to see, hear, touch, and experience new things. The "Toddlers & Twos" curriculum helps leaders provide an attractive and safe space where children can hear about God, Jesus, and the Bible, and experience prayer and simple Bible stories in a developmentally-appropriate way.

Age 4 through Fifth Grade –
The "Rock Solid" curriculum helps children build a strong faith foundation so that when the rains and storms of life assail them (and they will at some time or another), their house of faith will not fall away. It will stand strong and give them strength and shelter. At each age level, the children will be invited to a faith experience. It is during this time that they can come to a better understanding of God and what God calls them to do and be. They come to know Jesus as the Son of God and take his messages to heart. They seek where the Bible speaks to them today. Lessons will be intentionally written around this faith experience. Activities, crafts, stories, and games will contribute to this faith experience. At the end of the time together, the children will have had a chance to meet God and to open themselves for a life-changing transformation. All of this is done in a variety of ways at the different age levels (age 4 through kindergarten; grades 1 and 2; grades 3 through 5).

9:30 Sunday School – Junior and 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.

Junior High students meet Sundays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in room 301. Students grow in their faith and relationship with God and one another as they hear specific Scripture passages, discuss them, and then apply these passages to individual faith challenges. This class uses "Claim the Life," a comprehensive United Methodist curriculum for youth that helps youth in this age group grow in their spiritual formation, discipleship, Christian community, and faith knowledge. The Junior High Sunday School class is interpreted for the deaf.

9:30 Sunday School – Confirmation

Confirmation, an extensive program in which youth in 8th grade are offered the opportunity to grow in their faith in relationship with God and one another, is an essential component of the youth Christian Education ministries at Community UMC. During their weekly classes together, youth meet to understand the foundations of the Christian faith and The United Methodist Church (denomination as well as the local church) while also gaining a deeper understanding of their own relationship with God and their call to service in the world. Students are provided adult mentors to help guide them along their spiritual journey, assisting them in navigating the waters of faith formation. This class meets from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings (during the Sunday school hour) and at other times during the week, and utilizes "Claim the Name", the United Methodist Confirmation curricular resource, as well as other materials.

Contact Beth Elders, Minister of Christian Education, for more information.

11:00 Sunday School – Hands-On Bible

During 11:00 Sunday worship, children age 2 and 3 may meet in room 207 for "Hands-On Bible." This curriculum presents Bible truths in a fresh, interactive setting that capitalizes on children's need to experience life with all their senses. This curriculum allows children to meet and interact with the God who made the world they're so interested in exploring.

Through an interactive Bible StoryBoard^TM, activities, songs, and games, children will learn about Bible truths as they see, hear, touch, taste, and smell all the exciting things that are happening in your classroom.

11:00 Sunday School – Children's Chapel

During 11:00 Sunday worship immediately following Children's Time (in the Main Sanctuary service) and the Drama/Children's Time (in the OnCenter service), children ages 4 through third grade are invited to come together for Children's Chapel – a time for children to worship and learn together in a fun and developmentally-appropriate way.

While the older children, youth, and adults hear the Scripture passages for the day proclaimed in the sermon, children ages 4 through third grade will do the same! 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 Chapel lasts for approximately 15-20 minutes, after which children are escorted back into worship with their families for the conclusion of the service. In this way, children learn the importance of worshipping in "big church" and learn the elements of worship (prayer, songs, etc.) alongside their families, while also hearing the Scripture illumined in a developmentally-appropriate way.

Children's Chapel opening and closing worship will take place in Room 204 during the Main Sanctuary service, and will take place in the classroom adjacent to Zucker Hall during the OnCenter service.

In order to allow children to participate in worship with their parents, as well as learn about and receive Communion, there will be no Children's Chapel on the first Sunday of each month.

IGNITE

IGNITE is a social and service group for fourth and fifth graders. Youth in IGNITE participate in worship as acolytes (main Sanctuary services) and as greeter/ushers (OnCenter contemporary service). We meet the second and third Sundays of each month, from 1:00-2:30 p.m.

• IGNITE Outings Second Sunday of the Month
• IGNITE lunch third Sunday of the Month

Rainbow Dancers

Who –
This animated children's dance ensemble ranges in age from 5 year olds to fifth grade and is led by Donna Pries. Children of all abilities are encouraged to join.

What –
Through movement, these children learn about worshiping God with their whole body.

When –
Rainbow Dancers rehearse on Monday nights from 5:30-6:15 p.m. on the stage (room 202).

Where –
Rainbow Dancers dance in our main Sanctuary Services or in our OnCenter Contemporary Service once a month.

For more information on this ensemble, contact Stephen Edwards.

The Beat

Who –
This group of older elementary students (third-fifth grade) is led by Beth Elders and Joline Bastounes.

What –
This Orff-based ensemble is hands-on and utilizes percussion and Orff instruments to teach children the joy of music and worship.

When –
The Beat will begin meeting in October, on a day and time to be announced.

Where –
The Beat plays in our 11:00AM main Sanctuary Service and in our OnCenter Contemporary Service.

For more information on this ensemble, contact Stephen Edwards.

Joyful Noise

Who –
Led by Amy Hollander and Mary Elliott, this exciting and energetic group is made up of preschoolers ages 3-5.

What –
Amy and Mary set the foundation of worship by focusing on vocal fundamentals, Bible Study and arts and crafts.

When –
Joyful Noise rehearses Wednesday afternoons from 4:30-5:30pm in Fellowship Hall.

Where –
Joyful Noise sings once a month in either our main Sanctuary Service or our OnCenter Contemporary Service.

For more information on this ensemble, contact Stephen Edwards.

Hosanna Choir

Who –
Hosanna Choir, led by Beth Hagemeyer, is a fun and entertaining group of 1st-5th graders.

What –
In Hosanna Choir, worship and gaining a basic understanding of music and rhythms is emphasized.

When –
Hosanna Choir rehearses Wednesday afternoons from 4:30-5:30pm in the Music Room.

Where –
Hosanna Choir sings once a month in either our main Sanctuary Service or our OnCenter Contemporary Service.

For more information on this ensemble, contact Stephen Edwards.

Secret Angels

Secret Angels is Community UMC's service organization for elementary-age children in grades 1 to 5. Secret Angels helps children learn how to serve others throughout the world, the nation, or in their own community. Through their involvement in Secret Angels, children see that they can help make a difference in the world, sharing God's love with others, right now. You do not have to wait to "grow up" to serve others!

Secret Angels meets several times throughout the academic year – watch for more information on upcoming service opportunities!

Community of Parents

Community of Parents is a United Methodist Women circle supported by the Christian Education Committee at Community UMC. This parenting group provides support to all parents in a comfortable, fun, and family way by placing a focus on parents as individuals and includes the entire family as a whole. This group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall for regular monthly meetings, and also gathers for playgroups, park days, parent-child outings, moms/dads only outings, and family outings. For more information, please contact Tamara Gasior.

Volunteers

Community UMC's programs could not continue without the support of many volunteers. There are many ways for parents and other adults to lend a hand in our 9:30 children's Sunday school classrooms and 11:00 children's chapel ministries, as well as with our weekday ministries. Please contact Beth Elders for information on how you can lend a hand in our Sunday morning ministries.