"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”    Proverbs 22:6

Children are a very special part of our growing church family. Our church provides a variety of ministries for children. Each teaching ministry is biblically based and designed to reach children who have varying needs and learning styles. Special events are held throughout the year for children and their families. All programs for children are led by caring adults and are under the direction of a part time children’s director.  

SUMMER PROGRAMS

Vacation Bible School—This is the highlight of children’s ministry at FUMC each summer. More than 100 children and 20-30 adult and youth leaders meet to sing, play, and learn what it means to be a follower of Jesus.  

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2010

“Let everything that breathes praise the Lord”  Psalm 150:6

 “This cosmic combination of faith and fun will help each cadet develop a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.”  

• Date and Time:  July 12-16 @ 9:00 AM to noon
• Ages: PreK-Grade 5 (grades completed)

Each day the children will travel through several sites to experience the awesome God of the universe and learn how to better serve and praise Him.  Some of the sites that the children will visit are.

• Starship Galactic Praise and Good News Galaxy (assembly and Bible Story)
• Moons and Tunes Music
• Cosmic Crafts
• Orbital Observatory Science and Mission
• Rocket Rec
• Astro Bistro

They will also learn a “green tip” of the day on how they can better care for God’s creation.  Adult and youth are needed to lead and assist with each of the sites as well as to help with preparations such as decorating and registration.  

If you wish to VOLUNTEER or to REGISTER your child as a participant, click here.  (www.cokesburyvbs.com/galactic-blast/grove)

Summer Camp—DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING

All children had the opportunity to attend one of the United Methodist district camps at CampEgan this summer.  Transportation and half of the registration fee is provided by the church.  We have a large group of children and leaders attending one of the United Methodist camps at Camp Egan this summer.  The dates and registration fees are as follows.

• Sonshine Camp (grades1-2)      June 12-13        $47.50           
• Joy Camp (grades 3-5)              June 25-27          $61.00
• Tweens Discover (grades 6)      June 28-July 2   $107.00

Any adults who are interested in serving as a counselor at one of these children’s camps should contact Judy Kimmel, jkimmel@groveumc.org, 786-5148.

Links for this years camp forms below:

www.okumcministries.org/Camps/Files/RegistrationForm.pdf
www.okumcministries.org/Camps/Files/HealthForm.pdf

RELATED LINKS:

Current Children's Ministry Calendar

Children's Ministry Flyer 

Heritage Childcare and Preschool

Sunday School Classes

SAFE SANCTUARY

Our congregation’s purpose for establishing a Safe Sanctuary policy and procedures program is to demonstrate our absolute and unwavering commitment to create within our ministries a “safe sanctuary” that will foster healthy growth and development in spiritual and other dimensions as we have opportunity to provide ministry.  Please click here to read more about it and complete the required documents.

NURSERY

A well-staffed nursery is provided during all three Sunday morning worship services for children birth-5. Nursery is also available each Wednesday evening during adult choir rehearsals and bible studies, and is also provided for special events or meetings by contacting the Director of Children’s Ministry.

Age appropriate curriculum is taught during Sunday school (9:45) in both Nursery I (toddlers) and Nursery II (preschool). Snack and craft activities are provided during 10:45 service in Nursery II. 

The nursery uses a pager system to check children in and out of the nursery. 

SUNDAY SCHOOL (9:45)

Amazing Journey, our rotational Sunday school program is  a place where children (grades K-5) learn to “Fully Rely On God—F.R.O.G.”  Children experience a new bible story each month as they participate in a variety of activities based on multiple learning styles. As they walk down the hallway of the children’s wing, they will see the life story of Jesus depicted on beautiful wall murals. Each week they visit one of three wonderfully decorated classrooms--The Art Ark, The Temple, and The Story Telling Tent. It is truly an Amazing Journey.

TEMPLE TIME (10:45)

This extended Sunday school session groups all children (Grades K-5) together in the Temple room. The emphasis during “Temple Time” is learning about the bible—how to use it, what it says, and how it applies to children's lives today. Jesus spent his youth learning in the Temple. What an example this is for our children. A multi-media approach is used. The Temple room is equipped with a TV/VCR and a computer lab.

KidZone AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

KidZone is designed for children in grades 1-5. It meets each Wednesday from mid September to early April in the West Wing multipurpose room.  A large group/small group model and multi-media curriculum is used. Other activities include snack, games and recreation, crafts, and King’s Kids choir. The children and their families are invited to eat at the Solid Rock Café after KidZone. Registration forms and parent permission are required to participate in KidZone.  Click the link below to:

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SOLID ROCK CAFE

The Solid Rock Cafe is open during the school year on Wednesday's 5:00pm - 6:30pm in the West Wing.  Many good meals are served by volunteers for children, youth, and adults.  It's a great time for friendship and fellowship!  

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SEASONAL EVENTS

The Children’s Ministry Team sponsors family events for the Lenten/Easter and Advent/Christmas seasons. These events provide activities which are interactive, fun, as well as spiritually enriching.