Children & Family Ministry
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We offer childcare for ages 0-24 months in our nursery from 10:30 until the end of the Sunday service. In our nursery, our primary goal for their faith formation is to provide safe, loving care. A parent or guardian may check-in a child at the Children’s Welcome Desk at any time the nursery is open. With parents' approval, we provide a snack of plain Cheerios. We ask that no other food items enter the nursery. A diaper bag with diapers, change of clothes, and bottle or water bottle is recommended, but we also keep diapers and clothing stocked just-in-case. Volunteers will text parents if a child cannot be calmed in 10 minutes or has other needs. ription text goes here
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In the weeks before or after a child’s second birthday, they transition from the nursery to our 2s&3s class. Our 2s&3s class is held during the sermon, allowing kids to join their families to see and join in worship while also receiving developmentally targeted lessons during a Sunday service. After the Children’s Blessing, please accompany your child to their classroom door. Collect your child at their classroom door after the sermon as communion begins. A day in 2s&3s includes music, a Bible lesson, and a Goldfish cracker snack. We ask that no other food items enter the 2s&3s classroom. Please communicate any allergies or other needs to the check-in desk and your child's teacher.
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Like 2s&3s, Children’s Church is held during the sermon so that kids can be with their larger church family to worship while still receiving a developmentally targeted lesson during a Sunday service. After the children leave the sanctuary following the Children’s Blessing, kids engage with God’s word and presence through music, story, and play in Children’s Church. Collect your child at their classroom door after the sermon as communion begins.
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As kids transition out of early elementary school, we work to cultivate their sense of belonging to our church community. As they begin to attend the full service from the call to worship through the benediction, we encourage families to help them engage with the content of the service by pointing out how the songs and prayers connect to the sermon. “Sermon Challenge” bulletins are available to help them follow along. We also hold periodic 3rd-5th grade social and service events to give these kids opportunities to build relationships with each other. Parent involvement is highly welcomed. If you have a child in grades 3-5, please contact Katie Kinney to learn how you can take part.
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Looking for your next bedtime book or parenting resource? Stop by our Children's Library located at the Children’s Welcome Desk. Materials including board books, picture books, and family devotionals as well as resources related to children’s spiritual formation and parenting are available for check-out. If you have suggestions for materials, please contact Katie Kinney.
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Memorial holds Christian Education classes for all ages between Labor Day and Memorial Day on Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:15.
Ages Prek-5th grade meet in the Children’s Center classroom. After interacting with the morning's story as a large group, the kids split into age-based small groups to build their knowledge of God’s Word and have space for their personal connection with God. The final 15 minutes of class is reserved for Kid City Choir rehearsal.
Childcare/Playtime for ages 0-3 is available in our Early Childhood Center (2s&3s) during the Christian ed hour.
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Several Sundays a year, our kids lead our congregation in our worship of God through music as the Kid City Choir. Kid City Choir rehearses from 10-10:15 in the Children’s Center between Labor Day and Memorial Day.
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Please communicate with the welcome desk monitor and classroom teachers if your child has any needs we should be aware of to provide a safe, suitable environment. Each children’s classroom is staffed by a minimum of two screened adults. Secure evacuation procedures are in place in case of an emergency.
We are committed to providing emotional and physical safety for children by planning and enforcing a transparent, accountable environment. All children’s and youth ministries staff, volunteers, and hired caregivers undergo screening and adhere to ministry policies as detailed in our Child Safety Policy. These policies include a 2-person rule, which ensures that no child is ever under the supervision of a single adult while in our care. All staff and volunteers are committed to monitoring their own and each other’s interactions with kids.
If you have questions or concerns about our policies and procedures, please contact Sam Dolby, our Youth and Family Pastor.
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There are several opportunities for the children in our church as well as resources and information to further equip families to grow spiritually.