Children

Our Mission to Children is to provide a loving welcome where each child can experience the love of God, hear the stories of Jesus and God’s people, and begin a life long faith journey.

October 9, 2011 through April 29, 2012
9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

NURSERY

Nursery / Toddler—infant through age 3 still needing diapers

Our youngest children may be left in the Nursery before the worship services. A sign in sheet is used for checking children in and out. Families may leave their cell phone number tuned to vibrant, in case they are needed during worship.

Our professional Nursery Coordinator works with volunteers on a rotating schedule. Our goal is for our youngest children to know that Jesus loves them and that church is a caring, safe, and enjoyable place to be. Toddlers are encouraged to participate in hearing a planned Bible story supported by activities which are age appropriate. Wee Believe-Toddler curricula published by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is used with this age group. Link for Parents

Newly baptized baby and toddlers are placed on our Crib Roll located in the nursery.

CHILDREN

Children attend worship with their families and leave for Sunday school following the children’s message in the worship service. Their shepherd or greeter meets them in the narthex and walks them to their workshop or classroom on the upper level of the Christian Education building. Children in Pre-k (age 3-5) through 3rd grade have button name tags which stay at church and may be found in the hallway cabinets across from the nursery on the way grade are encourage to write their name on a nametag found on the round table in the narthex, just outside the sanctuary, and wear it to Church school.

9:00 Worship Enrichment—age 3 Pre-K through 5th grade

A continuation of the Scriptures used in the Children’s Message. The Bible story is retold with activities to support the message. Held from October through April when there are two worship services.

10:30 Young Children and Worship—age 3 Pre-K through Kindergarten

A program developed by Sonja Stewart and Jerome Berryman uses the Montessori method of teaching a Bible stories each Sunday. An adult Storyteller tells the Bible story and the children self select an activity which is their respond to the story. The time in Young Children and Worship follows the order of worship in the sanctuary. A snack is given, which is called a Feast, each Sunday. Parents are encouraged to attend an orientation in the late summer / early fall with their child or children.

S.T.E.P.S. Spiritual Travels Experienced, Practiced and Shared—1st - 5th grades

Rotation Model Workshops used to teach the biblical stories of God’s People and how Scriptures speak to us today. We prepare seven rotation per program year (the second Sunday in September through the first week in June) including Advent/Christmas/Epiphany, Lent/Easter and the Sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The children travel to five to six different workshops, one each Sunday hearing and participating in the same story using different intelligences or way of learning