Children and Family Ministries
Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church
Reaches out to all children
Links their lives to God through Jesus Christ,
and sends the children into their world to do God's work.
Sunday School: 9:45-10:45am
We offer classes for children birth through the 5th grade through which they can experience the love of God, hear Bible stories about Jesus, learn Biblical truths, and grow in their understanding of what it means to be a Christian. All of our Sunday school teachers are trained in Safe Sanctuaries. Directors and Nursery Staff are trained in Infant/Child CPR and First Aid.
We use the Faith Weaver Bible Curriculum with our Sunday School children. Our goal is to weave faith in Jesus Christ into all areas of learner' lives. By using this curriculum at all levels, we provide an opportunity for families to study the same Bible passage every week. The lessons are hands-on and exciting! Families emerge from church with a common point of reference that sparks discussion and application at home.
On the fourth Sunday of every month, children and teachers (classes age Four through 5th grade) meet in a community for a Godly Play lesson. These lessons include a leader presentation of a parable or sacred story, followed by group "wondering" and individual "discovery." We look forward to our fourth Sundays as a very special and worshipful time.
Preschool Classes
Crib Nursery is for infants 6 weeks of age to walking with a staff ratio of one adult to every three babies.
Toddlers: Beginning walkers through two years of age
Two Year Olds: Children age 2 by August 31
Three Year Olds: Children age 3 by August 31
Four Year Olds: Children age 4 by August 31
Elementary Classes (children attend class of same grade level as enrolled in school)
Kindergarten Fives
First Grade
Second Grade
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
Fifth Grade
Childcare
Childcare is offered during all worship services: 8:30 (Chapel), 8:45 (Contemporary), 9:45 (Contemporary--children are in their Sunday School classes during this hour), and 11 am (Sanctuary). No reservations needed for childcare during worship.
Free childcare is also offered to parents during meetings of our church ministry teams, Bible Studies, Wednesday Night classes, and all special services and events of our church. Parents should call the office of Children and Family Ministry, 884-4232, to indicate need in advance of the event date.
Milestone Classes in Spiritual Development
Baptism Gatherings
Special session for parents of infants who will soon be baptized. Our Senior Pastor explains the Sacrament of Holy Baptism in the United Methodist Church. Young families meet each other for support and fellowship. Parents bring their babies! Baptism Gatherings are held quarterly.
How We Worship
This is a worship education class for second graders which emphasizes the diverse forms of worship in the United Methodist Church, the seasons of the church year, the sacraments (communion and baptism) and the Lord’s Prayer.
God and Me & God and Family
God and Me is the class for children in the second and third grades; God and Family is for children in the fourth and fifth grades. These studies are designed to help boys and girls grow spiritually by providing them an opportunity to explore both their relationship with and their family's relationship with God. They also provide children an avenue by which they can begin to integrate their faith into their everyday life.
Third Grade Bibles
On Promotion Sunday in August, children in the third grade receive a Bible as a gift from the Millis and Covington Family in celebration of their spiritual growth and in memory of J. Edward Millis, Jr. A "Bible Retreat Workshop" held on a Saturday prepares children with teachings about the Bible and in how to use this treasured gift.
Human Sexuality Workshop...
This program is open to fifth grade boys and girls. They are taught Christian values based on Biblical references as well as biological information at an age appropriate level. This workshop also affirms parents as the primary teachers and role models by providing the basic knowledge needed to help children value their sexuality as one of God’s great and good gifts.
Vacation Bible School
VBS is an annual week-long summer event that uses music, missions, creative activities, drama, fun and fellowship to enable children of our church and community to discover God's Biblical truths. VBS will be held July 11-15, 2011, 9 am - 12 noon. Registration forms are available now in the Children's Office.
Children in Worship
Opportunities occur throughout the year for children of all ages to participate in worship services, including
Blessing of the Backpacks
Children's White Christmas/Live Nativity
Scripture Readers
Palm Sunday Processional
Blessing of the Animals
Recognition Awards upon completion of spiritual development classes
Other Seasonal Classes
Cornerstone Kids
This program is held Wednesday evenings for 8-10 weeks in the fall, and then offered again in the spring. Children ages 4 years through 5th grade. Class is 6:45-8 pm following Wednesday Night Family Supper. Class topics change each season. Examples of topics include "Color Me Healthy" Food Choices and Cooking class, and "Money Management" for Children.
Parenting Workshops
This program is held Wednesday evenings in the fall and spring, 6:45-8 pm following Wednesday Night Family Supper. Class topics change each season, and are often based on a book study. Examples of parent workshop classes have included: "10 Biblical Traits Your Children Will Remember You For," "Growing Compassionate Kids," "The 5 Love Languages of Children," and "The Blessing of the Skinned Knee."
Fellowship Events
Throughout the year, intergenerational family events are planned by the Children and Family Life Team. They offer great fun and relationship-building among our families. Fellowship events include:
Epiphany Walk
Easter Egg Hunt
Ice Skating/Roller Skating/Bowling
Outings to professional sports events
Church Softball Team (The Wesley Flame)
Hanging of the Greens
Outreach Projects
Teaching children to care for people beyond their backyard is emphasized as a way to teach children to love and to serve God. Families are invited to participate in outreach projects throughout the year, not only at holiday times. Examples are:
Collection of school supplies for local underprivileged students
Food Collection at Thanksgiving for Open Door Ministries
Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes
Vacation Bible School "Care Blankets for African Children"
Benefit Concert/Dessert Social for child with cancer
Flood Buckets
Church Community Garden
Health Kits for Haiti
Wesley Memorial is a
SAFE SANCTUARIES Church
Wesley Memorial has long been an advocate of children and recognizes their uniqueness as individuals and as children of God. We are committed to providing a nurturing, safe environment free from verbal, emotional, physical and sexual abuse.
ALL STAFF working with children are carefully screened. This includes our Through-The-Week School Classroom Teachers & Assistants, Substitutes, Childcare Workers, Sunday School Teachers, and regular Parent Volunteers. Criminal background checks are required as well as reference checks. All staff working with children must attend a “Safe Sanctuaries” workshop each year for training & review in prevention of child abuse.
All TTW School Teachers & Assistants complete annual certification in Infant/Child CPR & First Aid by the American Red Cross.
Questions about our ministry to children and their families? Please contact our Director of Children and Families Ministries, Debbie Foust, dfoust@wesleymemorial.org, or 884-2204, ext. 225.