CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
Our guiding theme for the year has been Women Heroes of the Bible with added stories of Men Heroes of the Bible. We continue to learn Praise and Worship songs and prayers. Children's Ministry consists of the following programs:
Sunday School: Bible Discoveries
Bible Discoveries is based on the Rotation Workshop Model. This is a grassroots movement used by many churches throughout the country. Sunday School programs share with one another story and activity ideas using the central website: www.rotation.org. In this program one Bible story or character is taught for two to four weeks straight during which time the children rotate to different workshops or classrooms. The workshops this year are audio/visual, arts and crafts, drama and puppetry, Bible Skills and Games. This year our theme has been ÒBible Champions/Bible Adventures/Women of the Bible.Ó The stories covered are Gideon, Ruth, Esther, Shadrach/Meshach/Abednego, Jonah, Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids, Mary and Martha, Zachaeus, Mary Magdalene, Jesus' Baptism, Jesus' Disciples, and the Armor of God.
Worship Warriors
Worship Warriors is offered to children grades l through 5. It is structured as a young adult church service. The children participate as lay ministers, each contributing to the service. Worship Warriors is offered during the first part of the 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday.
Nursery
Our nursery is maintained by one paid staff and overseen by the nursery coordinator who obtains adult volunteers to assist as a second individual in the nursery. Hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Sundays and on Wednesday evenings, dependent upon need.
Tote-bag Ministry
This is overseen by the Sunday School Director with the assistance of volunteers. The totes are available for enrolled Sunday School children as well as visitors. They are kept on the tote tree found in the Children's Ministry office and consist of relevant Bible based coloring pages, pen and paper activities as well as books.
Early Communion
Early Communion is a class to prepare children for the sacrament of Communion and is for 2nd graders and older. The curriculum begins by teaching the children about Joseph, how he became a slave in Egypt, and then a famous ruler saving the people from famine. It continues with the story of Moses, the plagues and the Passover. After grasping the meaning of the Passover, they continue to learn about Jesus, his birth, life on earth, death and resurrection.
Crafts, a movie about Jesus, and a tour of the sanctuary are included in this curriculum. An early communion celebration is included in a church service, and the children are recognized before the congregation and with a celebration with cake and treats in Sibley Hall after the service.
Missions
Sunday school children donate money for Medelyn, a child in the Philippines sponsored through Children International. They bring their loose change to the Worship Warriors at 10:00 a.m. and it is collected in money jars. We continue to collect money for Medelyn throughout the Sunday school year.