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The focus statement for the Children’s Ministries Team reads as follows: The Children’s Ministries Team vision is to invite and nurture children, birth through 5th grade, and their families with a dynamic, spirit-filled mission that is flexible, powerful and Christ-Centered. The team will provide training and support for adult leaders of children’s ministries. The numbers of children participating in the various children’s ministries of our church continue to rise. Praise the Lord! The Children’s Ministries Team is excited to be able to offer ministries in a variety of settings with different purposes. Because we are committed to providing only safe and exciting experiences for our children, we need willing and child-loving adults to provide leadership and supervision. Some of our ministries and activities will face cancelation if we are not able to secure adult volunteers. Here’s the exciting part! You can make sure these ministries continue. There are opportunities for all ages of volunteers. You can commit to one Sunday a month, one month of Sundays, one quarter of Sundays, or one Midweek Manna session. Please prayerfully consider how you can do your part to ensure our children will continue to have quality ministries in which to participate. The Coordinator of Children’s Ministries is Barbara Balser. Barbara welcomes your sign-ups, questions, concerns, and comments. You can reach her at 785-825-0228 or First United Methodist Church on Monday through Thursday afternoons, 1pm-5pm or you may email her.
:: NURSERY AND CHILDCARE :: At First United Methodist Church, we want to make your child’s experience as happy and safe as possible. We employ three paid nursery/childcare staff persons. Trained volunteers sometimes help with childcare under the supervision of the paid staff. All persons involved in childcare have been submitted for background checks through the KBI and SRS, and have received Boundary Awareness Training.
Childcare Staff: Abby Christopher, Trisha Bristow, Casey Kirchner, Beth Meis
Sunday Mornings:
Nursery: All children, up to and including kindergarten age are welcome in the nursery from 8:15am until 12pm. Age appropriate activities will be provided for the children during their stay in the nursery. On your child’s first visit to the nursery, you will be asked to provide general information such as names, address, contact information, as well as any medical conditions or special needs your child has. You may pick up a nursery brochure with additional information at the church entrances or in the nursery.
Sunday School: Children age 2 and up are encouraged to attend a Sunday School class for their ages from 9:40am to 10:40am.
Children’s Worship: During the 11:00am worship service, children ages 3yrs through 2nd grade are invited to join in Children’s Worship. Children 3yrs-old through 5yrs-old who have not been to kindergarten attend Wee Worship, children kindergarten through second grade attend Little Lamb Worship.
Other Times:
Nursery and child care for children through 5th grade can be provided for meetings and other activities as requested by parents or event organizers. Arrangements should be made through the church administrator.
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:: Finders Keepers :: Midweek Children’s Classes; 6:15pm-7:30pm; Wednesdays during the school year
We are learning to LIVE B.I.G.! (Believe in God). Our time together includes a DVD story, song, games, crafts and other activities.
Preschool Finders Keepers: Children ages 3years – 5years (not in kindergarten)
Finders Keepers: Children ages Kindergarten—Second grade
B.i.G. Kids: Children grades third—fifth
:: Children Sunday School ::
 Sunday School classes are enjoyed by all children ages 2yrs. throug h 5th grade from 9:40am to 10:40am each Sunday morning. This hour includes music, prayer, Bible stories and verses, and other age-appropriate activities such as games, art, crafts, and discussion. United Methodist curriculum is used in all of the classes, and the themes change quarterly. | Where can you find us? - Child care for infants and toddlers is available during the Sunday School hour in the nursery, Room 104.
| - 2-and-3-year olds: Room 204
| - Pre-K & kindergarten: Room 200
| - 1st and 2nd grades: Room 300
| - 3rd and 4th grades: Room 304A
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Promotion Sunday
New Sunday school classes will begin. Children are divided according to their age or grade as of September 1 each year. Those moving to a new age/grade class will go to their new classroom this Sunday. Another exciting part of Promotion Sunday is the presentation of Bibles to new third graders. The presentation will be done by Pastor Troy in the worship service. Parents of third graders will receive more information as the day approaches.
Fifth-Sunday Celebrations
When a month has a fifth Sunday, we celebrate! All children’s Sunday school classes meet together for a time of music, story, and fun. The main focus of each celebration is a mission project. Past projects have included decorating Valentine’s for Veterans in the VA medical center in Wichita, filling shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, and making banners and other gifts for our homebound members.
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:: Vacation Bible School :: During the first part of June each summer you can find children with their youth and adult leaders scattered throughout the church building enjoying Vacation Bible School. They will be singing, playing games, making and eating snacks, learning a Bible story, and crafting projects. All of the activities are based around a central theme with a daily Bible point. 2009 VBS Date: June 1st to June 5th, 5.30pm to 8.00pm. Register Online.
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:: Children's Choir ::  | The Children’s Choir meets to practice on Sunday mornings, 10:30 am to 10:55 am each Sunday, during the school year. The choir is made up of children in 1st through 5th grade and is led by Director Darlene Johnson.
Choir time is spent singing traditional Sunday School songs, energetic action songs, and songs to be shared in the worship service.
The choir sings in worship once a month from September through May. | <Go To Top>
:: Holidays & Special Events :: Easter Egg Hunt: On the Saturday before Easter, the Children’s Ministries Team invites all children through 5th grade to bring their baskets and join them for an Easter Egg Hunt. The morning begins with a story together, followed by hunting eggs in two age groups. Eggs for the younger group contain candy and small prizes while the eggs for the older group contain candy and Bunny Bucks. All then return to Fellowship Hall for a treat, shopping at the Bunny Buck Store, and temporary Easter tattoos.
Promotion Sunday: The Sunday before public school begins is Promotion Sunday. Children move to their new Sunday School classes and new third-graders receive a Bible of their own during worship. If you have a third-grader who is not currently on our rolls, please contact the church office so we can add him/her to our list.
Children’s Sunday: Every Sunday you will find many children at First United Methodist Church. But one Sunday each fall special attention is paid to the roles children fill in service, leadership, and participation in our congregation. Children will serve in worship in a variety of ways on Children’s Sunday. Adults will have opportunities to be involved in mission to the causes of children in our congregation, community, and beyond. Watch this page and the newsletter for more details.
Christmas Program: Each year, children prepare and share a Christmas program. Rehearsals usually begin in October. Watch this page and the newsletter for more details about this year’s program. <Go To Top>
:: Volunteer and Donation Opportunities ::
Children’s Ministries require many adult volunteers to be successful. Being a volunteer is not only a way to use your gifts in service to God and His church, but it can be a personally rewarding experience. Below is a list of opportunities for you to be involved in inviting, teaching, preparing, and serving the children’s ministries of First United Methodist Church. To add your name to a ministry, please call or email Barbara Balser, Coordinator of Children’s Ministries, 785-825-8034.
Prep Work: Often leaders of various ministries need someone who can trace patterns, cut shapes, attach stickers, or do other craft preparation before a lesson or event. This can be done at home or at the church.
Donate items:
Donate to these annual ministries all year round. -
The Bunny Buck Store for the Easter Egg Hunt needs small items that are appealing to school age children for them to buy with their bunny bucks. These can include fancy pencils or pens, small stuffed animals, small puzzles, books and games, etc. Bring your donations to Barbara’s office any time of the year. -
Operation Christmas Child: Each October the children in the Sunday School classes decorate and fill shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Donations of washcloths, socks, toothpaste and soft toothbrushes, bars of gentle soap, and school supplies, can be made throughout the year in Barbara’s office. -
Sometimes the supply closet becomes low on certain craft supplies, or a special project needs certain items, such as containers or fabric scraps. Watch this page and the newsletter for donation requests. Leadership opportunities: -
Sunday School leaders helpers and substitutes for all ages; can commit to one quarter or the entire school year -
Finders Keepers: adults to serve on the leadership team for a session or the school year -
Children’s Worship: leaders and helpers commit to one Sunday a month -
Children’s Christmas Program: director or co-directors needed immediately; soon will need volunteers for props, costumes, etc. <Go To Top>
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