Children's Ministry
Our prayer:
To create an exciting Christian community where children feel welcome and accepted, are inspired to build a personal relationship with God, and put their faith in action.
Welcome to Georgetown United Methodist Church Children’s Ministries for the 2010-2011 school year! The teachers and I are very excited to work with your child this year. We have been very busy preparing for this year and believe your child will meet new friends, learn a lot, and grow spiritually. We have already met some new families and are excited to have them at Georgetown. Be sure you wear your nametags so we can all learn each other’s names!
GUM Kid's Link Monthly Newsletter
More about...
Sunday School
5th & 6th Graders
Mission, Service, and Offering
Year-long theme
Other info.
Sunday School
Sunday school classes are offered at both church hours. Both Sunday school hours offer exposure to Bible stories, worship, memory verses, fun activities, and prayer.
The rotation hour (9:15) kicked off the year with a unit “I Can Be a Bucket Filler”. For the first four weeks the kids will do many activities focused on being bucket fillers. We have incorporated God’s Commandments into the lesson “Love God. Love Others”. The kids will participate in rotation stations which include games, crafts, science, and cooking. Detailed information about this rotation went home last week. Be sure to get a parent letter from your child’s teacher.
The Children In Worship classes (11:00) started the year with a lesson on being a bucket filler. They will continue the year learning about the church calendar colors and symbols and the story of creation. The classroom altars reflect the church calendar colors. Be sure to ask your children what the altar cloth color is and what it represents. See if the colors on the altar in the sanctuary are the same. Mrs. Tuinstra and Mr. & Mrs. Humphrey will be leading the Pre-K & K class. Mrs. Weberg will be leading the 1st & 2nd grade students. Some changes have been during this hour. The 3 and 4 year old class will be utilizing a brand new curriculum with Mrs. Bills called Rock Solid. Also new this year, the 3rd-6th grade students will be joining Mrs. Heemstra for Children in Worship lessons including quiet time with God meditations, journal responses to stories, and new lessons including God’s Saints.
5th & 6th graders
The 5th and 6th graders began their year with GRAPPLE. Mr. Berry will be leading this class. This curriculum is so awesome for this age group. It is specifically designed to meet the needs of the middle school aged students socially, emotionally, and spiritually. The group meets at 9:15 for Sunday school to discuss real life issues affecting them and how they impact their walk with Jesus Christ.
J.A.M.: The 5th and 6th graders will also have the opportunity to meet on Sunday nights for fun, fellowship, service projects, and team building. Friends are welcome to attend! Mrs. Good and Mr. Berry will be leading J.A.M. this year. 1st meeting is September 19 6:30-8:00 in E-27.
Year Long Theme
This year the Children’s Ministry will change lives by being Bucket Fillers. We have read the book “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” by Susan McCloud. Each classroom has a copy of the book, if you haven’t seen it you may check it out for a week to read at home. The idea of the book is that all of us have an imaginary bucket and it is filled by the kind acts of others. By doing kind things for others they feel good and we feel good too. Random acts of kindness, no strings attached, are changing the world. You have surely heard “Pay it forward”, well this is a kids’ version. We are focusing on being bucket fillers all year not only at church but also in our homes, schools, and neighborhoods. Help your child fill buckets and watch lives be changed. It’s fun, inexpensive and something all ages can do.
Mission, Service, and Offering
Mission Project: Now through October 3rd we are going to fill buckets with food! This isn’t much time, but I think we can make a difference! The organization Rays of Hope for Haiti has a goal of sending 5,000 buckets to Haiti in time for Christmas. Please see the enclosed pamphlet for ways your family can help. Please contact Jenny Care if you have questions. Drop off donations to the Children’s Ministry bulletin board in the welcome center.
Offering: This year in Sunday school we will continue our focus of being good stewards. Part of our ministry here at Georgetown is to help others and our kids are going to work hard this year to put that idea into action. Your child’s offering will be used to support many worthy missions throughout the year. One ongoing program is our Bibles for Baptism. The Children’s Ministry Team presents all children with a picture Bible on the day of their baptisms. This outreach is an important step in cultivating a relationship with Jesus Christ. We will also be supporting a variety of mission projects throughout the year. Have your child do jobs around the house to earn offering or give 10% of birthday and Christmas money back to the church. Together the pennies and dimes add up and we will make a difference in the lives of others. If you need offering envelopes please ask your child’s teacher for a box.
Serve: Our church vision states we should be a church committed to make disciples for Jesus Christ, grow spiritually, love one another and serve others.
Serving our kids during Sunday school is a great way to live out the vision. Adult help is needed at both services. Times are flexible and no preparation is needed. Serve once a month or once a week! Volunteer info is available on the Children’s Ministry Bulletin Board in the welcome center area. Please contact Jenny Care if you are interested in helping in Children’s Ministry or if you have any questions.
Other info.
Behavior Expectations: We have amazing teachers and kids at this church, that’s the best thing about my job! Please talk with your child about our expectations of his/her behavior in church and in Sunday school. It’s not that much different than the expectations we have for our kids at home or in school. I will work with the teachers to address any behavior problems and may need to discuss problems with parents at times. If a child has repeated behavior problems in class parents will be asked to sit in class with their child.
Kids please leave your electronic games, cell phones, etc. at home or in the car. They are a distraction to others during worship and class time. Items brought to Sunday school will be taken by teachers and returned after the hour. Thanks!
Child Protection Policy: It is an important goal for our ministry team to provide a safe, secure environment for your child and our volunteers. Our volunteers are background checked as one measure to ensure safety. We also want to be sure our Sunday school classes have 2 adults present at all times. This helps with classroom management as well as potty breaks! We are encouraging parents to pitch in to provide leaders with assistants. There will be a sign up sheet on every classroom door. Please take a moment on Sunday to select dates that you can serve in your child’s classroom. We take a lot of photos in Sunday school. This year since our newsletter is on the web, I am providing parents with a Photo Release form. Please read the form and decide if we have permission to use your child’s photo in newsletters or on the ministry bulletin board. We will not use names, just faces. Return this form to Jenny Care. No form, we will assume you don’t give us permission to use photos of your child. A welcome card is also needed for each child. This identifies allergies, special needs, and contact info for the leaders working with your child. Please return these asap. Cards are available in your child’s classroom.
Rotation Help Needed...
...during the 9:15 hour
1-4 week blocks open.
Facilitate a rotation station. All supplies and materials provided. Contact Jenny Care to pick your date.