Our Children's Ministry is unique. Open to children ages infancy through 5th grade, this is more than childcare. We believe that children are spiritual beings, created by God to experience God's love in deep relationship with Him. Even the youngest children can and do experience God. The God Centered Model for Spiritual Transformation is a unique model we use with our children. It gives each child the opportunity to encounter God's Living Word, the Bible, and then allows space for that experience to bring them into the very presence and heart of God.
Through activities such as Sacred Circle Time, Holy Listening and Blessing, our children are not only taught Truths from the Bible, these Truths are brought to life in their hearts. They are given space to process the story through play. They are taught to meditate on God's Word and listen for how God is speaking to them. Our trained Holy Listeners, give each child a chance to be heard as they share what God is putting on their heart.
We know that play-based learning contains an element of emotional connectedness that activates the intellect in a unique way. Taking initiative, focused attention and curiosity about the world are all a part of play. God naturally wired children to do what they need to do to learn and grow! Play-based learning sparks art, ideas and dreams. It also teaches healthy conflict resolution. Perhaps most importantly for us, it allows our children to dip their toe into those adult waters and create their own community. Those gatherings are the foundation on which they will build Christ Church’s future community.
During the 9 and 11:15 am worship services, Kindergarten - 2nd grades will begin in worship with their families and leave for Children's Worship. They will return to the Sanctuary during the closing hymn. 3rd - 5th grades will worship with their families in the Sanctuary.
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!
Welcome Visitors!
We want to make sure that your child has the best experience possible when you bring them to the Nursery, Faith Formation, or Children’s Worship for the first time.
Getting to your child’s room:
When you arrive at church, please go to one of the main desks and they will help you find your way to our Children’s Ministry wing and tell you the room number for your child.
As you drop your child off:
Please take your child to the approptiate room (or any childcare room) and our Children’s Ministry Team will make sure that your child is in the classroom that will provide for their safety and best social/emotional/educational level.
We will help you navigate the sign in process and please be sure to let our Children’s Ministry Team member know if your child has any special needs that will help their time with us easier and will keep them safe.
(Please Note: We do not offer snacks in the classrooms due to allergy concerns)
Check-in/Check-out Process
Children of all ages must be checked in and checked out by a parent (or grandparents) using the tag you receive at check-in.
Questions?
If you have any questions before you visit, we’d love to chat! Please feel free to call Rev. Dr. Leanne Hadley at 719-930-3598.
Pre-Kindergarten childcare ministry provides pre-K children ages 3-5 years old with three hours of programming on Sunday mornings. The curriculum is written to provide a child’s first, age-appropriate introduction to Bible stories, worship in our own Pre-K chapel, and music and activities that support the story of the day. Supervised free play rounds out the morning. Your child is sure to enjoy a meaningful and playful experience anytime during Sunday morning.
We start with a gathering activity that focuses on the lesson and creates curiosity. Then the children congregate in small groups to share praises and concerns and listen to the Bible story. They are given the opportunity to attend “holy listening.” Holy Listening creates a safe and sacred place where children can feel and voice their connection to God. The Holy Listener is very present with the child, listening without judgment or trying to fix them and uses tools to help them share their feelings. After talking, they pray together and the child is blessed. Holy Listening lets children know that they are loved and are important. Then they spend the rest of the hour visiting spirit centers and reflect on what God is telling them through the story. You won’t be surprised to hear that one of their favorite spirit centers is the gym!
In the 4th and 5th grade, we focus on project-based learning. The children do projects completely imagined and orchestrated by themselves on various topics and share the results with parents and the younger children each month. Then of course, we always set a little time aside at the end of our hour to hit the gym and PLAY with their K-3 counterparts.
During the 9 and 11:15 am worship services, Kindergarten - 2nd grades will begin in worship with their families and leave for Children's Worship. They will return to the Sanctuary during the closing hymn.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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 energy and joy your kids bring into worship is a gift to our church family!
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.
Christ Church Vacation Bible School | July 10 - 13 Registration is now open for children, ages 3 & 1/2 years through 5th grade. We'll meet Monday - Thursday from 9 am - 12 pm and have a cookout together Thursday evening. This year, we'll also have a special family mission on Friday, July 14! Please register below!
Children Pre-K through 5th grade experience God’s love and develop musical and other skills through singing, ringing, games, activities and leading in worship.
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, January 11 - March 29 | 6 - 7:15 pm
Sunday Morning - Singing in Worship | March 26 | 9 and 11:15 am | Sanctuary
Wednesday Sharing Night | March 29 | Chapel
Spring Musical (performed by the older children) | April 26 | 6 pm | Chapel
We believe that God intends for us to welcome and protect children, students and vulnerable adults, and to support those who minister to them as volunteers and employees. Completion of Safe Sanctuaries training is required prior to working with children and youth at Christ Church.
Children's Ministry Director: Early Childhood and Holy Listening
office: 502-893-2201 x254
