St. Andrew United Methodist Church - Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
Ministries: Children's Ministry
Table of Contents
- Regular Activities
- Special Events - 6 Super Sundays of Sharing
- Children’s Ministry Roles and Responsibilities
Regular Activities
Sunday Morning classes
For children Nursery 2 through 5th grade. Children are grouped according to age (as of Sept. 15) or the grade they are currently attending in school
8am - Sunday School for preschool through 5th Grade 9:15 & 10:40am - Sunday School for 2 year olds & preschoolers. 9:15 & 10:40am - Workshop Rotation Model (WoRM) for elementary children. Bible stories experienced through 8 different learning stations. Classes rotate weekly to different stations, learning in depth the Bible message through a variety of media.
Summer Sunday School
Summer Sunday School at 9:15 am and 10:40 am - June thru the first week of September.
Preschoolers will have age level classes, Nursery 2, Preschool 3 & 4. Children who have completed Kindergarten through 5th grade participate in our WoRM (Workshop Rotation Model) where each week their class will experience the Bible through art, games, music video, cooking, science, and storytelling
Childcare
Ministry to children and their parents provided by CPR & First Aid trained staff for all worship services, St. Andrew classes and meetings.
Children's Learning Center
An outreach ministry of St. Andrew. CLC is a Christian childcare program and preschool licensed by the State of Colorado. It is offered for children ages 1-6. The program provides children a planned day appropriate to their age to help them reach optimal growth in spiritual, social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills through developmentally appropriate activities. CLC also provides Christian education for the children and Christian outreach to their families. A preschool curriculum and format is provided for 3 and 4 year olds.
4th & 5th Grade Fellowship
On the second Sunday of the month 4th & 5th graders come together at the church for fun, friends and devotions.
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Mission education projects
We provide opportunities for children to have 'hands on' experiences that will move, motivate and encourage them to extend their hands to others in need. In the past, we have helped the Front Range Foster Family Association, Inter-Faith Community Service, UMCOR, and the Women's Empowerment Program.
Rainbows
A support group for children and youth, kindergarten through high school, who have suffered loss through the separation or divorce of parents or the death of someone close. St. Andrew offers 2 sessions, in the fall and winter consisting of seven consecutive Monday evenings. For more information, visit the Rainbows web site.
Special Events - 6 Super Sundays of Sharing
Children’s Ministries at St. Andrew has a tradition during the Season of Lent that helps children and their families reach out to others. It has been a wonderful success and due to the generosity of St. Andrew members, we have donated thousands of items. This year, we will assist the people of Haiti by providing health kits to be distributed by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Since 1940 UMCOR’s mission has been to provide disaster relief, aid refugees and confront the challenges of world hunger and poverty. UMCOR has helped to heal the hurts of humanity in nearly 100 countries. Read more about UMCOR at www.gbgm.umc.org/umcor.
“For people who are feeling powerless in being able to help those in Haiti, providing health kits is a tangible way they can make an immediate difference,” said Kathy Kraiza, director of UMCOR’s relief supplies. She estimates that hundreds of thousands of kits will be needed in the days and months ahead. The kits, valued at about $12 each, contain everything from towels and washcloths to sterile bandages and bar soap. They will be distributed to those who have been forced to leave their homes because of the recent disaster. Monetary donations will also be accepted to pay for shipping. Please make checks St. Andrew/health kits.
Our 4th & 5th Graders will assemble the bags at 4th & 5th Grade Fellowship on Sunday, April 11.
Donation baskets are be located all entrances to the church.
You are invited to share this prayer with your children as you collect your supplies:
Dear God: You know the needs of all of your children, especially those in Haiti. We pray that the items that we are sharing with others will help provide healing, comfort and health. May they also bring hope and love to those who need it as they deal with the loss of their homes, their jobs and even family members. Please be with the workers who are helping your children as they rebuild their lives, homes and communities. We thank you that we can give with open hearts and share what we have with others. Amen.
February 21 - Super Towel Sunday
1 new hand towel 15 x 25” up to 17 x 27” (No kitchen towels please)
1 new washcloth
February 28 - Super Clean Sunday
1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)
6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages (Bandaids)
March 7 - Super Hair Sunday
1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)
March 14 - Super Smile Sunday
1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, no child-size brushes
$1 to purchase toothpaste (UMCOR will purchase)
March 21 - Super Nail Sunday
1 nail file or fingernail clippers
(No emery boards or toenail clippers)
March 28 - Super Bag Sunday
1 gallon zip plastic bag
Children’s Ministry Roles and Responsibilities
Ministry Team/Standing Committee: Children’s Ministries
Mission/Purpose Statement:
Children’s Ministries mission is to provide a friendly and nurturing environment where children can learn and grow in their relationship with God. Children will experience the compassion and love of God through Christ leading them to become disciples of Jesus.
Primary Responsibilities/Activities:
1. Learning: We seek to provide curriculum and activities that are developmentally appropriate, fun, and educational, guiding children to grow in their faith.
2. Safety: We provide a safe and nurturing environment where our staff is compassionate, screened and educated and our building is welcoming, monitored and secure.
3. Invitation: A variety of experiences are provided so that all children feel welcome and valued in all activities and have opportunities to grow in relationships throughout the church.
4. Communication: Families are frequently informed about upcoming and ongoing activities for families and children within Sunday School and throughout the week.
Ministries:
Sunday School: Provided at 8:00, 9:15 and 10:40 for ages 2 years old through children enrolled in the 5th grade. Average weekly attendance is 240 for all three hours and a total of 115 Adult volunteers who work as teachers, workshop leaders and guides. We are still in need of 12 more leaders
Children’s Learning Center: This weekday ministry offers ma five hour program Monday through Friday with 232 children enrolled, an average of 100 per day, along with a staff of over 30. This NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) accredited ministry was reaccredited in the summer of 2008. Registration will begin at the end of January for the 2009-2010 school year.
Child care: Provides care for children through the age of 12 while their parent/s is at worship, class, events or committee meetings seven days a week, supported by the operating budget of the church. The staff of 24 CPR/First Aid/Universal Precautions trained individuals always are paired with another trained staff member.
4th/5th Grade Fellowship: Occurring once a month from September through May on Sunday events highlights fellowship, mission and fun as a way for preparing our older elementary children for their entrance in to Youth Ministry.
Rainbows: This 14 week grief support group for children completed it’s first seven week session. A new session will begin in January, with returning children completing the second seven week session and new children and facilitators forming new groups. Parents have the opportunity to attend a Parent Session which talks about the stages of grief at the different development ages and effective ways to help children and families during these difficult times.
God and Country Series: This ministry is a parent/child activity that requires class time, Bible study, activities and discussion of faith and our Christian heritage and traditions. A new session for both God and Me and God and Family begins in January.
Vacation Bible School: The upcoming Camp E.D.G.E.- Experience + Discover GOD Everywhere will have a June day session and an evening July session
3rd Grade Bibles/Bible Party: This annual event provides Bibles to all third graders and older, followed by a Parent/Child activity party, to learn how to use the Bible.
Mission Projects: 6 Fantastic Sundays of Sharing will be held during the Lenten Season and the annual Christmas Stockings drive during advent will be donated to the Denver County Santa Claus Shop. The two sessions of VBS will sponsor their own mission experiences.
Christmas Pageant: is held at the conclusion to the Advent Festival, featuring 5th Grade students as the main characters.
Membership:
Malt Leaders: Kathy Frain, Lori Schultz
Staff Leader: Christy Boyle, Children’s Ministries Director
Staff Members: Marcia Whitney, Children’s Learning Center Director
Kirsten Parus, Childcare Coorldilnator
Kathleen Riley, Sunday School Coordinator
Mary Huey, Program Assistant
Jen Goins, Children’s Learning Center Assistant Director
August 2007