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Children's Ministry |
Current News:
Watch here for Planning Dates for 2009
1-2-3 Go Day Camp: For rising 2nd thru 4th graders.
Vacation Bible School: For older 3 year olds thru 5th graders
Summer Elementary Music Camp: For children who have finished 2nd grade thru 5th graders.
Children hold a special place in the faith community at West Market Street United Methodist Church.
Brochure about Children's Ministry - PDF
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About the Children's Ministry... West Market Street UMC was recognized in 2004 as a "Church for All God's Children" by the United Methodist Church in Western NC. WMSUMC seeks to be a church that reaches children with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ through the ministries with our membership and outreach to the community. We seek to touch the lives of children locally through involvement in a local school, sponsorship and support of refugee families, support of our Early Childhood Center's scholarship fund, and education about the needs of children close by and far away. For more information about the needs of children in the state of North Carolina, go to http://www.ncchild.org or http://www.nccovenant.org. |
Contact Information:
For more information, dates, and times about Children’s Ministry events or
programs, contact Rev. Jane Brannock, Pastor of Education at (336) 275-4587 ext.
13 or at jbrannock@wmsumc.org.
Events and Opportunities:
All Ages
Advent Mission Project
Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Children’s Sabbath
Cherub & Joyful Noise Choirs
Children's Chapel (Kindergarten thru 5th grade)
Super Summer Sunday School
Day Camp
End of Summer Social
Vacation Bible School
Wednesday Church Night (WCN) Kids
Family Socials
Toddlers – Pre-K / Kindergarten
Preschool Summer Day Trip
Worship Readiness - Four, five, and six
year old children are encouraged to spend six weeks in worship readiness, an
experiential class to help prepare them to more fully participate in
worship. The children will leave the sanctuary following the children’s
message during the 10:55 a.m. service. They will learn the parts of the
service: praise, confession, proclamation and dedication. Also, they will
participate in two sessions on Baptism and Communion. Reservations are not
required.
Several events and programs for those approaching middle grades and junior high school can be obtained by contacting the church office ((336) 275-4587) for more details.
Be a Part of Our Ministry Team...
The
Children’s Ministry Team includes staff and members of WMSUMC who are very
dedicated to ensuring our children thrive and grow in Christ. Events are
organized and implemented throughout the year with the help of many volunteers.
To keep WMSUMC the holy place it is intended to be, all paid staff and
volunteers are required to attend the United Methodist’s Churches Safe
Sanctuaries training program. Anyone who works with our children must also have
a background check.
If you have a God-given gift or talent that you believe would benefit our
Children’s Ministry team, please contact our Children’s Ministry Coordinator,
Amy Kreimer, at (336) 288-4913 or kreimer3@bellsouth.net or Rev. Jane Brannock,
Pastor of Education, at (336) 275-4587, ext. 13 or at
jbrannock@wmsumc.org.
The Early Childhood Center...
The Early Childhood Center (ECC) offers age appropriate weekday care and education for children in an environment where Christian values are demonstrated and young children's faith can grow. The ECC employs qualified and dedicated teachers. and is recognized as a FIVE STAR child care facility by the state of North Carolina. The Majelle Morris Soles Building, a state of the art facility, which opened in September 1999. For more information call the Early Childhood Center office at 378-6093, and ask to speak with Teri Smith, Director, or Marion Dotts, Assistant Director.
| Full Day Program: | 6 weeks - 4 years old |
| After school Program: | Kindergarten - Grade 1 |
| Preschool Program: | Infant - 5 years old |
| Pre - Kindergarten: | 5 year olds |
Godly Play Sunday School Curriculum
In Fall 2006, our Sunday School program adopted the Godly Play model for
children's Sunday School. Godly Play is a method of Christian education and
spiritual direction in the Montessori tradition of Catechesis of the Good
Shepherd, which we had used at WMSUMC since 1998.
The goal of Godly Play is to teach children the art of using religious language, parable, and sacred story to help them become fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence around them and in their lives. The center of the Godly Play experience is the story – told simply and beautifully by the storyteller. The storyteller uses handcrafted objects to focus attention on the central elements. Through the process of storytelling, the story comes alive in the children’s experience, helping them to find meaning in their own lives – in what happens at home, at school and in the larger world. The children are then invited to respond to the story in a variety of ways.
The four and five year olds will focus on the Godly Play stories and the elementary grades will experience some of the stories, supplemented by other lessons and materials. In Godly Play, two adults are necessary. The doorkeeper greets the children and prepares them to enter the space and hear the story. The storyteller presents the story and invites the children to respond. Both may guide the children in their time of responding.
NEW! Godly Play Lesson Schedules for 2007-2008 School Year:
The Children’s Ministry Team, along with
congregational Safe Sanctuary trained volunteers, offers Children’s Chapel for
children in K-5th grade. Children’s Chapel offers youngsters a 20-30 minute
worship service similar to traditional United Methodist worship, but at a level
at which they can understand and participate. The children learn the Lord’s
Prayer, listen to and learn scripture, hear a message they can relate to and
sing songs from the United Methodist Hymnal or from Christian-based CDs. Older
children, if comfortable, are encouraged to lead where appropriate.
Children’s Chapel is held each Sunday following the Children’s Sermon at the
10:55 am service except during special holidays or when the youth are involved
in the Sanctuary’s worship service.
For more information, contact Rev. Jane Brannock, Pastor of Education at
275-4587, ext. 13 or jbrannock@wmsumc.org.
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Interview with Skylar the Flying Squirrel written by Scoop, ace reporter Scoop: Skylar can you tell people what happened at Vacation Bible School? Skylar: The Fellowship Hall was crazy with energy and excitement of 126 children ready to Lift Off! We soared to new heights with God each day as we learned from Abraham, Joseph and Jesus to follow, trust, listen, repent and serve God. Scoop: What did the children do each day? Skylar: All the children became Sky Scouts and learned about the world of hot air ballooning. Through music, Bible stories, science experiments, crafts, games and snacks we discovered that our pilot and chase crew is God. Scoop: Did I hear the Sky Scouts learning Bible verses?
Skylar: Yes,
you did! Sky Scouts learned Power Prayers from the Psalms.
These are quick sentence prayers that everyone can use daily.
Scoop: I saw children bringing in items each day. Can you tell us about what they were doing? Skylar: Like Peter was called to serve, Sky Scouts were asked to serve members of our community through two mission projects. We collected peanut butter and canned fruit for Greensboro Urban Ministry and backpacks and school supplies for Washington Elementary School. The families did a terrific job supporting our community partners. Scoop: Anything you want to say to the volunteers? Skylar: A tremendous thank you!! There were more than 65 adult and 22 youth volunteers involved with the preparation, delivery and support of VBS. We are thankful and blessed by everyone’s support! Look for pictures from Vacation Bible School on the bulletin board on the second floor reception area. |
Click to see larger image.
Photos from Children's Pentecost Celebration
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Click to see larger image.
Photos from Easter Egg Hunt 2007
Greensboro College Front Lawn
This page was last updated on August 25, 2008
