Opportunities for Parents - Communications
Watch the "Voice of Providence" weekly for Children's Ministry announcements. Additional communication will come through mailings and Sunday School.
New Baby Program Coordinator
When the church receives word of the birth or adoption of a new baby, the New Baby Program Coordinator sends a card of congratulations, calls to schedule a visit, then visits the family, leaving the birth candle (a candle that is lit in honor of the baby's birth during the worship service following the birth announcement) and a copy of the bulletin from that service. She will be able to answer questions a family may have concerning childcare in the church.
Opportunities for Children During Worship
Assisting Parent Program
This program provides our youngest children (infants through five year olds) with parent volunteers who assist teachers during the Sunday School hour and then serve as caregivers during the 11:00 worship service. The program offers these advantages for the child:
- More individual attention during Sunday School.
- The opportunity to show his/her parent(s) what he/she is learning at church.
- The opportunity to become familiar with more of his/her church family.
- Continuity of caregivers from Sunday School to worship nursery.
It offers these advantages for the parent:
- The opportunity to share in the child's Christian education experience at the church.
- The opportunity to become more familiar with this branch of the church family.
- The opportunity to serve in Children's Ministry in a vital program to the church.
Schedules are mailed quarterly. Most parents serve once per quarter in each child's class.
Worship Child Care
Sunday mornings at 8:00 and 11:00 as well as special services
Our younger children are cared for each Sunday by volunteer parents. Child Care at 8:15 is provided for infants through 4 year olds. Children in 1A through K A/B Sunday School classes remain in their classrooms for 10:40 child care. Child Care is always available for special and seasonal worship services.
Children's Worship Activity Bags
Available for children at both services, these activities are designed just for children -- in preschool thru fifth grade. Two versions are available--one for beginning readers and one for skilled readers.
Opportunities to Learn about God and the Christian Faith
Sunday School
A time each Sunday for children to come together at the church with other children of similar ages to learn about and experience God's love. Young children learn that the church is a place where they are welcomed in love, where they experience security; where their needs are met by dependable adults. As children grow they interact with friends and teachers. They play, sing, study, and do service projects. They learn that God loves and works through everyone including themselves.
Worship Readiness
An
educational program offered to 1st graders. This program prepares
children to participate more fully in corporate worship. This program begins on August 30, 2009 in the Discovery Center
and will last for eight weeks.
First Grade Bible Presentation - Children's Sabbath
As a gift from the church and as a way to encourage beginning reading skills, each child in the 1st grade is given a Bible imprinted with his or her name during the 11:00 worship service early in the school year.
Easter Butterflies
One more way we help bring children closer to the expectation and understanding of Lent and Easter is the chance to watch the development of a butterfly. We watch the live butterfly larvae grow and change from caterpillars to chrysalids to beautiful butterflies, a symbol which will always remind us of the beauty and mystery of Easter. On Easter Sunday at 10:00, we release the butterflies as part of the Sunday School lesson that day. Families are also offered the opportunity to order butterflies-to-be to experience at home.
Mary and Joseph Breakfast
An opportunity for families to learn more about Advent and Christmas by participating in family projects, listening to the Christmas story and acting it out... Projects may change from year to year.
The next Mary and Joseph breakfast will be held on November 21, 2009.
Opportunities to Serve Others in Church, Community and the World
White Gift Service
An annual Christmas pageant led by children during which worshipers offer gifts enclosed in white bags for Bethlehem Center children. This is typically held in early December.
Summer Opportunities
Summer Fun Days
A summer enrichment program for
preschool children which provides a relaxed, fun, Christian environment
where children can learn and grow by interacting with one another and
their teachers. All activities are based on a common theme. The program
runs Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for three weeks. A reasonable fee
is charged. If you're interested in registering your child, contact Anna Shulstad at ashulstad@providenceumc.org
Vacation Bible School - 2009
An educational fun-filled five days held at Providence UMC. This year's VBS will be from July 27 - 31. Registration is required and will begin on Sunday, April 19th.
Opportunities for Fellowship
Providence United Methodist Children's Fellowship (PUMCF)
This
once-a-month program for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders offers the children
an opportunity to further fellowship with each other while serving
others. Coordinators are
Julie Higgins and Shelli Volpp. Schedule of events are printed in the Voice.
Scouting
The church sponsors both Girl Scout, Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops for children.
Scout Page
See also the Music Department for information about Children's Choirs.
