Children's Ministries Fall 2007 Handbook & WACCI
registration form links
Children's Ministries Handbook Fall 2007
Children's Ministries Handbook Fall Registration Form WACCI
Introduction
At First United Methodist Church (FUMC)
children are a high priority. We offer a variety of programs including:
New Adventure Bible Class for 3rd graders, WACCI Wednesdays, Kids For
Christ (KFC) for 5th and 6th graders, Sunday School and
Vacation Bible School. In addition, we have a part-time pre-school, the
Learning Enrichment Program (LEP) and a full-time pre-school Noah’s Ark. We
offer school age child care programs on site at N.B. Cook, Myrtle Grove and
Ferry Pass schools. There is also school age child care offered daily at the
church. Our programs are open not only to church members but to the community
as well.
Power Express
Children's Sunday School meets Sundays: 9:45 a.m.
– 10:45 a.m. for Kindergarten – 5th grade. In order to remain faithful to
the vows made by the congregation at every baptism, First United Methodist
Church provides a meaningful Christian Education experience for every age. We
want our children to develop a lifelong relationship with the Lord and his
church. We are proud to use the Workshop Rotation Model. Themes are presented in
6 week units. This model allows children to experience the Word of God in a
different workshop each week using the multiple intelligence approach.
Themes are presented in 6 week units starting with an assembly week.
The Workshops
Creation Station
Students use art to gain hands on knowledge of the Bible story theme.
Music/Movement
Students learn songs and play games themed around the
Bible story.
Cross dot
Org
Children have the opportunity to use computers to play theme-related games
as well as create Bible story related projects.
Synagogue
This station tells the current Bible story in detail using games,
storybooks and crafts.
Out of the Box
This station is always different. It ranges from cooking projects to
science experiments to video clips all related to our current Bible story
theme.
Children's Worship
FUMC believes that all of God’s children are welcome in
worship (even the squirmy ones). We offer worship bags (located in bins near the
sacristy) that can be filled with items designed to help keep your children
engaged in worship. These bins are designed with Kindergartners and 1st
graders in mind, but any age child is welcome to use them.
Nursery
The purpose of the nursery of First United Methodist
Church Pensacola, FL is to introduce the infant to an awareness of an
accepting and loving God; to offer the child a safe, secure learning
environment; and to think of church as my church -- the happy place; and to show
the child that he/she is received into this family with understanding, love and
acceptance.
Sunday morning nurseries are available for the worship services during Sunday School as
well as other church activities. We have 3 separate
nurseries including: infants, toddlers and 3 and 4
year olds.” All of our nurseries are staffed with both
paid employees and volunteers. We want you and your children to feel good coming
to the nursery. To that end, some of our goals are: a cheerful atmosphere,
clean, safe and inviting rooms, and a staff that models Christian love and
acceptance.. Key to a relaxing worship experience for
the parents, our nursery staff utilizes the Silent Pager Program. If you are needed back
in the nursery, the staff will activate your pager immediately. The pagers are
also a wonderful security measure -- children are returned to the parent when
their assigned pager is turned in.
New
Adventure Bible Class
The New Adventure Bible class is specially designed for Third Graders. All
third graders receive Bibles in January of each year and the New Adventure Group
begins to meet on the following Sunday. This class helps children learn to use
their Bibles through a variety of hands on approaches. Music, games and art are
just a few of the ways we make this class a blast!! Look for dates and times in
the FUMC newsletter, The Methodist Witness.
(also on the
Calendar page of this web site)
Our Behavior Covenant
For 3 year olds through
5th graders
The Expectations for God's children.
In this church, the following will be upheld for me:
- Others will be expected to treat me with kindness.
- I can feel good about myself.
- I will be safe.
- I will be heard and will be able to listen to others.
- I will be able to learn for myself and about myself.
The Expectations of God's Children
In this church, I too, have a Christian responsibility. The following
guidelines will be expected of me:
- I will respect the facilities.
- I will respect my care giver and all church staff, church members and
guests.
- I will treat my peers and fellow church members as I would like to be
treated.
Parents: Please review these expectations with your children and then come by
Miss Emily's office to sign the covenant!
Weekday Programs
The
Learning Enrichment Program (LEP) offers a quality
Christian preschool program from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., Monday through Friday
for children from birth through pre-kindergarten.
The
Noah’s Ark Learning Center is an outreach program to meet the needs of
working parents and to provide quality educational/developmental experience
within a safe nurturing Christian environment. We offer a full day program for
children 1-4 years of age and after school care for Kindergarten through 5th
grade with transportation provided from some schools.
WACCI
Every Wednesday afternoon our children in Kindergarten -5th grades gather for
our Christian after school enrichment program. WACCI is designed to help
children cultivate their creative abilities. It also seeks to highlight the
connection between worship and self expression. Each semester different class
options will be offered. Children may come at 2:30 p.m.
and will have a homework and snack time was well as a time for
recreation. Children may also choose to come at 3:30 p.m.
and only do the class option. Limited transportation is available from
some school sites.
Welcome to Club 56
Club 56 is First United Methodist Church’s after
school enrichment program for tweens. Composed of 5th and 6th graders, Club 56
provides students with a unique opportunity to take an eclectic variety of
workshops taught by members of the congregation.
Vacation Bible School
This one week long “day camp” is packed with music, stories, crafts, and lots
more!! Each year we explore a new theme that helps us understand how much God
loves us and how we can enact that love in his service.
Retreats and Camps
Each year in the fall and winter, overnight retreats are held
for our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. These retreats are designed to help our
children connect with each other and with God in a deeper way. Parents are
welcomed and encouraged to attend retreats as chaperones and leaders.
We also provide a week–long summer camping experience for our
3rd, 4th and 5th graders. There is a new theme each year, but summer camp is
always an amazing opportunity to get away and get with God. Swimming, recreation
and crafts are also included in the camp experience. Parents are welcomed and
encouraged to attend as leaders and chaperones.
Please call
Holly Shumpert, Director of Elementary Ministries,
at 850.432.1434 ext. 28
for more information.
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