Welcome

We are so happy to welcome you to First Christian Church Children’s Ministry. Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me." (Mark 9:37) Thank you for allowing us to welcome your child!

Getting Started

1. Please register your child the first time he or she attends. Registration forms are available at the check-in locations.

2. Please sign your child in. Children in Kindergarten and younger will be checked in upon arrival to their rooms. 1^st through 5^th grade check-in is located in the Fellowship Hall (Room 135). For their safety, children will only be released to the adults whose names have been entered on the sign-in sheet. Children will not be released on their own or to an older sibling.

3. Feel free to ask our Associate Minister Ashley Shurtz or your child’s teacher any questions you may have about our children’s ministry.

Nursery

For babies from birth to 18 months

Room 119

Our purpose is to lovingly care for babies in a safe and nurturing environment and to share God’s abundant love with them through play and age appropriate Bible related lessons.

The Nursery includes:

• Age appropriate toys

• Refrigerator and sink

• Private breastfeeding area

• Lesson time

• Snack time

• Silent Paging System

The Nursery is available during each worship service, Sunday School and Family Forum. When you sign your child in, you will receive a vibrating pager that will allow us to quickly contact you if needed.

Nursery Coordinator: Audrey Childers

TINY TOTS

For toddlers ages 18-36months

During the Contemporary Service

Room 120

Our purpose is to show God’s abundant love to these children and to introduce them to God’s Word and Christian principles through play, stories, videos, activities, prayer and song. We strive to create a fun and safe learning environment, as well as prepare them for the transition to Wee Worship.

Tiny Tots Coordinator: Megan Dial

Wee Worship

For children ages 3yrs-Kindergarten

During the Contemporary Service

Room 122

Our purpose is to show God’s abundant love to these children and to teach God’s Word and Christian principles through play, stories, activities, prayer and song. Our goal is to help children begin to develop their relationship with God.

Wee Worship Coordinator: Melissa Kinnard

Children's Church

For kids ages 1^st through 5^th grade

During the Contemporary Service

Fellowship Hall-Room 135

Our purpose is to share God’s abundant love with these children and to teach God’s Word and Christian principles through prayer, song, communion, discussion, lessons and activities. Our goal is to help kids to grow towards God and develop a relationship with Him through his Son, Jesus.

Children’s Church Coordinator: Ashley Shurtz

Sunday School

We know the importance of teaching the Word of God to a child. Please join us each Sunday morning at

9:45 am for Sunday School. Our children’s classes include:

• 18 months through 3 year olds Room 120

• 4’s through Kindergarten Room 122

• 1^st Grade Room 125

• 2^nd and 3^rd Grade Room 216

• 4^th and 5^th Grade Room 126

Midweek Programs

FaitHWeaveR FRienDS

At FaithWeaver Friends, fun and friends go together as kids grow in their faith. Kids begin each week at the Opening Celebration then separate to join their small group and "Circle of Friends" as they rotate through Discovery Centers. They then take time for discussion, prayer and quiet reflection with their journals. Each evening ends as they rejoin the other groups for The Closing Celebration. FW Friends is for kids age 3 through 5^th grade and meets from 6:30 – 7:45 pm on Wednesday nights during Family Forum and in the summer.

"FW Friends is a trademark of Group Publishing, Inc. and is used here with permission."

Family Forum

Join us on Wednesday nights in the spring and fall for Family Forum. It’s a great time to get to know God, our church and our people a little better! The best part is you don’t even have to cook. Meals are prepared by our cooking crew, and desserts are provided by selected Sunday School classes. The suggested donation for dinner is $3.00 each, but no more than $6.00 per family.

Classes and Activities for ALL ages!

Dinner: 5:30 - 6:30pm

Classes: 6:30 - 7:45pm

V.B.S.

Vacation Bible School is a great way to help children explore Jesus’ love in amazing new ways. For one week each summer, our church building is transformed into a fun and exciting theme. Our journeys have taken us on a polar expedition, a bug safari, and a trip under the sea. Children 3 years old to 5^th grade are encouraged to join us for a wonderful week of adventure

.Library

Please take advantage of our fantastic library. We have a wide variety of children’s books and videos available to borrow, including Veggie Tales, Bible Man,

Mr. Henry’s Wild and Wacky World and many more. The library is open on Sunday mornings.

Camp

We encourage all kids to experience Christ centered camping at Southern Illinois Christian Service Camp in West Frankfort, Illinois. In fact, we cover half the fee. Just take your registration form to the church office for an authorized signature. We have camp brochures available, which include the summer schedule and information about the camp, or you can get more information online at www.sicsc.com.

Good Health Guidelines

We want to provide a healthy environment, so we ask you to keep your child at home when any of the following have occurred within the last 24 hours:

• Fever

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Discharge in or around the eyes

• Green or yellow runny nose

• Excessive coughing

• Questionable rash

• Any communicable disease (i.e. measles, mumps, chicken pox)

If your child is being treated with an antibiotic, he or she should have received treatment for at least 24 hours before coming to the classroom. If your child becomes ill while in the classroom, you will be notified promptly. For your child’s protection, we ask our teachers to follow these same guidelines.

Fire Alarm

If the fire alarm should go off during the service, please exit the building immediately. Do not try to go to your child’s room first. Our primary concern is to safely evacuate the children from the building. During the fire alarm, children will not be released to the parents until calm has been restored and security can be checked properly. All children will be taken to the designated meeting spot, in front of the storage building at the east side of our property.

Children’s Ministry Core Values

• Each and every child is a gift from God.

• The Bible is God’s Word and should be taught and applied in a manner that is relevant to the child.

• Parental partnership is essential to the success of children’s ministry.

• We are committed to investing ourselves in connecting children to God and one another.

• Equipping and preparing adult and youth volunteers is necessary to teach children.

• The children’s ministry experience should be fun, creative and pleasing to God.