Welcome Kids!

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.

Kids & 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 and as acolytes. Additionally, each of our traditional services features a Time With Children in which children get an age-appropriate opportunity to explore the Gospel in a hands-on way.

The acolytes are drawn from the fourth through sixth grade, and participate in the 8:30 and 11:00 Sanctuary services. In addition to lighting the altar candles and helping the pastors and ushers during the service, the acolytes meet roughly once a month. At these meetings, the youth learn about the different parts of the worship service, the Christian calendar, and the youth's place within that framework.

9:30 Classes - Ages Two through Twelfth Grade
These classes are offered concurrently with our Adult Sunday School classes.

Two and Three Year Olds - In a bright, sunny room, younger pre-school children learn using age-appropriate faith stories, play, music and crafts.

Four Year Olds and Kindergarten - These children learn about God and God's people in a variety of ways, including hearing stories "under the tent," participating in a variety of hands-on crafts and group activities.

First and Second Grade - Exploring God's story by hearing and responding to the Word, each child receives special attention as the stories of faith are shared and experienced.

Third through Fifth Grade- Drama and activities keep this age level focused on understanding faith-based stories and relating them to God's message in their lives today

Middle School and Senior High - See the Teen's Page for details

11:00 Classes - Ages Two through Third Grade
At our 11:00 services, younger children are invited to attend the beginning of worship with their parents. After Children's Time (Sanctuary service) or the Drama (OnCenter service), children may remain their families for the rest of worship, or may leave to attend their Sunday School classes. On Communion Sundays, children return from Sunday School to the service to share the sacrament with their families and community.

Two and Three Year Olds - Children of this age learn life lessons through play and interaction with their peers and the caring examples of their teachers. They discover God's Word through age appropriate stories.

Four Year Olds through Third Grade - Exploring God's story by hearing and responding to the Word in Children's Chapel offers this age group the opportunity to discover personal meanings.

Child Care

Community United Methodist Church is committed to providing consistent, quality, reliable childcare in a safe environment.

Childcare at Community UMC is available during all our church services. It is also provided for many church activities throughout the week. There is no cost to use our childcare because Community UMC believes that it is an important part of our ministry to the congregation and visitors.

Community UMC's childcare staff members are paid, professional, experienced, mature and reliable. They are dedicated to ensuring a positive experience for children as they get their first exposure to the church environment. They are supervised and provided additional training by Lisa Bauer, Community UMC's childcare coordinator who has more than 15 years' experience in the childcare profession. Lisa has an associate's degree with an emphasis on early childhood development. She is certified in First Aid and CPR.

Joyful Noise

This choir for preschoolers and kindergartners is one of Community's largest! Children participate in singing, arts and crafts and creative movement. They sing on selected Sundays for Sanctuary services and on special occasions at OnCenter Contemporary service. They practice on Wednesday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.

Hosanna Choir

A structured choral program for kids in elementary school, this choir sings on selected Sundays for Sanctuary services and on special occasions at OnCenter Contemporary service. The ability to read is recommended. They rehearse on Wednesday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. in the Choir Room.

Children's Liturgical Dance

This program introduces children to interpretive dance technique suitable for worship. Children dance for selected worship services.