Spiritual Transformation
We believe that children are spiritual beings, created by God. Even the youngest children can experience the Holy Spirit and be spiritually transformed.
VBS IS BACK!!!
Vacation Bible School
July 11 - 14 | 9 am - 12 pm
We are thrilled to announce the return of Vacation Bible School - Jonah, You Can Do It! Children, ages 3 years through 5th grade will experience the story of Jonah and the big fish. And along the way discover how to be themselves in the world! Please register your child below by June 15!
Interested in volunteering?
We'll have opportunities for adults and youth entering 6th - 12th grade in the fall to help us make VBS a wonderful experience this summer! Childcare will be provided for infants and toddlers of our volunteers. Sign up below!
Sunday Morning Faith Formation
Our children will spend time hearing Bible stories about kindness, praying and practicing kindness!
In Person | During the 9 & 11:15 am worship services
Kids grades K-2 will leave the worship service for Children’s Worship in The Children’s Chapel in room #132. They will be returned to the sanctuary to meet up with their parents before the service ends. On Communion Sundays (the first Sunday of the month), all children worship with their families. There is no Children’s Worship.
Sunday Faith Formation at 10 am
This coming Sunday, our K - 5th Grades Faith Formation 10 am hour is moving indoors.
• Children grades K-3 are dropped off/picked up in rooms 005 A & B
• Children grades 4-5 are dropped off in rooms 003 & 004 and will self-release and return to their parents at 11:00.
Children ages 3 years through Pre-K may be dropped off and picked up in room 108 for the 9 am service, 10 am Sunday School and the 11:15 am service.
9 & 11:15 am Worship (Click to Expand)
- Our loving staff will be providing care for our babies, infants, toddlers. Each week, these little ones will hear a Bible story and receive a blessing!
- Our preschoolers will also be in childcare and will have a special worship time designed especially for their age!
- Children, Kindergarten through 2nd Grade will be invited to leave the worship service after the blessing of the children and spend time in Children’s Worship. They will be returned to you during the closing hymn.
- Children 3rd through 5th grade are invited to experience the entire worship service with their parents.
- PLEASE NOTE: We LOVE our babies and kids! Please know that your children are welcome to sit with you during worship anytime! There is cry room located in the back of the sanctuary in case you need to nurse or change your baby.
10 am Faith Formation Hour (Click to Expand)
- Children of all ages are invited to sing, pray, hear a Bible Story and play together during the Faith Formation Hour.
- Infants, toddlers and preschool aged children will experience Sacred Circle Time each week!
- NEW for Children Kindergarten through 3rd Grade! More choices!!
- Our K – 3rd graders will gather as a group in Room 005 to:
- Celebrate any Birthdays
- Hear a Bible Story
- Pray together
- And then have the opportunity to go to Spirit Centers to process and what they have learned and experienced. It will be fun, deep and your child will love it!
- PLEASE NOTE: We changed the design of Sunday after we asked your children what they liked best and worst about Faith formation. We listened to their answers and we think they have created a great new model for Faith Formation!
- Our 4th and 5th Graders will gather in Room 003/004 to continue their Project Based Learning Model.
- They will be guided through deeper Bible Study and design projects which they will share with the younger kids, our teens and parents throughout the year on special Sundays.
- They will gather each week in room
- PLEASE NOTE: Holy Listening for children who have special prayer needs will be offered weekly during the 10:00am hour. Please contact Janet Hagerty with any needs or questions.
Online
10:15 am - 10:35 am | Pre - K through 5th grade
Your kids are invited to join Leanne on Sundays online for a story, prayer and time to play and connect!
Same link each week: ccum.net/kidzoom
Perfect for the weeks that you're out of town, sick or have conflicts, or too tired to get dressed and can't make it in-person!
3rd Through 5th Grade | Becoming Lifelong Worshipers
How We’re Supporting You & Your Kids On This Journey (Click to Expand)
Providing fun ways to re-read the scripture
Find Adventure Bibles located in baskets under the pews at the back of the church as you enter the Sanctuary (see photo below). These are specifically written for kids aged 3rd – 5th grade and instructions on the first page invite them to find the scripture of the day and mark it to re-read during the sermon.
Offering guided reflection during the sermon
Invite your kids to work through the Worship Notes sheets provided with the Adventure Bibles. This simple reflection can be done individually or with your kids. Encourage your kids to ask questions and ask them questions too!
Emphasizing singing of the hymns
Kids participating in PSALM Kids will be familiar with Dr. Dan Blosser’s focus on singing hymns in worship. Encourage your kids to find the page and sing along.
Offering chances to be a part of worship services
Our acolyte, usher and greater teams would LOVE for you and your kids to serve in worship in the way that works best for you. Contact Julia Gilman to get connected with the lay leaders of these ministries.
Collaboration between your family, the Children’s Ministry Team and Christ Church Staff
Don’t forget that becoming a life-long worshipper is a process, so please know that our team is here to support this journey. We are here for you and your children, so reach out at any time!
Why Cultivating Life-Long Worshippers Matters To Us (Click to Expand)
Jesus invited children into his presence.
When parents brought their children to Jesus to have them blessed, the disciples tried to turn the children away but Jesus stopped them and invited the children closer to him. Children belong to the body of Christ and they are welcome in worship!
While your child might not understand everything about worship, they are absorbing it and it is becoming sacred time to them.
Leading experts in Children’s ministry agree that strong connection to worship begin, not by understanding the sermon, but through singing the hymns, memorizing the Lord’s Prayer, passing the offering plate and watching people they admire and love worship.
The whole congregation benefits from seeing children as part of the church.
The energy and joy your kids bring into worship is a gift to our church family!
Studies show that children who leave church for their entire childhood leave the church.
The church began one-hour Sunday School hoping it would help kids avoid feeling bored in church so that they would “want to worship as adults.” However, after studying several generations of children, leaders discovered that children who attended children’s church for their entire childhood missed the chance to develop positive feelings toward the worship service and did not return as they grew.
Human sexuality is one of God’s greatest gifts to people. Created By God is a weekend retreat designed to communicate to fifth graders that we are a fantastic creation made by God. The topics of human sexuality, values and relationships are approached in a frank, honest and Bible-based manner. This is one of our best attended events and it will prepare you and your pre-teen to have honest and open communication around the topic of their sexuality.
Save the date for the 2023 session on March 24-26.
STAFF
Janet Hagerty
Children's Ministry Director: Early Childhood and Holy Listening
office: 502-893-2201 x254
