~ Children and Family Ministries~

Use the quick links below to jump to that topic, or just read all about our ministries!

• Sunday morning activities
• Monthly Activities
• Special Events for Children
• Summer Opportunities
• Annual Family Events
• Music Opportunities

~ Sunday morning activities ~

Christ’s Carousel
A Never-ending Journey of Learning

*With Christ’s Carousel, you rotate around the lessons, being sure to see the stories and themes from all sides! *When you jump onto Christ’s Carousel, you will experience a journey for all ages to enjoy! Feel free to join us at any time — there is always room!
*Parents are encouraged to participate! They may make the choice to jump on alongside their kids, or simply observe from the sidelines

Come, see and Ride Along!

We invite everybody to experience Christ’s Carousel, a Sunday School adventure for kids. It is based on the rotation model, where Bible stories are repeated through a variety of media over a five week session. Our multi-sensory learning environment is designed to allow kids to experience the lesson with their whole selves. Kids can touch, listen, see, and taste their way through each theme, helping them to understand and grasp concepts that might be missed in a traditional classroom. The repetitive nature of the program ensures that kids will remember the story longer. Each week promises a new way to learn, offering kids a chance to experience the Bible through all ways imaginable!

Preschoolers are included in this model, however they will not rotate from week to week. Instead, they will enjoy the lesson in the same room with the same teachers week to week, providing them with continuity and predictability.

Christ’s Carousel begins at 9:00 each Sunday morning for kids in preschool-5 th grade. We meet as a group in room 109 for singing, dancing, and Bible verses, before separating into age-based groups to travel to different workshops. During each of the five-week sessions, kids will enjoy the following workshops:

• Sunday Morning Live – Our initial meeting room for group time, as well our place for stories and drama!
• Art in Heaven – Kids have fun getting messy with arts and crafts!
• Thou Art Arcade – Our place for games, games, and more games!
• Master Peace Theater – Movies and popcorn in our own movie theater!
• Solid Rock Café – The place to cook and eat goodies, as well as explore science ideas!
• Joyful Jams – All kids, ages kindergarten-5 th grade, are invited to participate in the Children’s Praise Choir that meets in this room at 10:00.

Children’s Church

Children’s Church is open to all kids, ages 4 to 10, who want to experience a worship service that is age appropriate and meaningful. Certain aspects of the traditional service will be incorporated into worship, allowing kids to become familiar with traditions like collecting the offering, reciting the Lord’s Prayer, and reading Bible verses. We meet during the 10:30 worship service.

For the2006-7 school year, we will be working out of a book called, ‘The Way of the Child’, a resource book from the Companions in Christ curriculum. It will “help children develop an intimate, personal relationship with God, providing an opportunity for them to experience and practice spiritual disciplines that will nurture that relationship for a lifetime.”

Nursery Care is provided by our nurturing staff from 9am through the 10:30 worship service for babies and toddlers through 3 yrs. old. There is a "Cry Room" available at the rear of the sanctuary for parents with infants.

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~Monthly activities~

This program is designed to give 4th and 5th graders a chance to interact with one another outside of Sunday morning. Activities, games, and projects are offered as a chance for fellowship and fun. Field trips and overnight events are offered as well.

Friday Fun Club

Parents: This is your chance for a night out! Leave the kids for a night of movies and pizza, games and crafts, while you enjoy some grown-up time! The event runs from 5:30-9, and is open to all kids. Nursery care will be provided for those under three. Cost for the night is $5/per child, $10/per family. We meet once a month.

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~Special events for Children~

Fall Carnival (October)

Trick or Treat! This non-spooky event happens the Saturday prior to Halloween and celebrates all the fun stuff about fall! Costumes, games, crafts, cookie decorating, and a kid-friendly haunted house makes this event one you don’t want to miss!

Easter Eggstravaganza (Spring)

Join us the Saturday before Easter for a whole lot of Easter fun! We will play games, make some crafts, and hunt for eggs! This promises to be a fun-filled afternoon for kids of all ages!

3 rd grade Bible Presentation and Bible Blast (October)

All third graders receive a Bible as a gift from the church. They are presented during the 10:30 worship service. The following Friday, all third graders are invited to an overnight event where they will explore their new Bibles through games and activites.

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~Summer Opportunities~

Vacation Bible School (June)

This is our week long camp for kids in preschool through 5 th grade. In cooperation with 3 other area churches, we meet in the mornings to explore Bible stories through music, games, art, and activities.

Peace Camp (August)

4 th, 5 th, and 6 th graders are invited to this camp to discuss, learn, and explore topics relating to peace. Activities will focus on teamwork, cooperation, and conflict resolution, as we dive into conversations about our world and how we all strive to get along.

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~Annual Family Events~

Family Winter Retreat (January)

We head to the mountains for a weekend of winter fun at the YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch near Winter Park. Possible activities include skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding, as well as indoor pool, roller skating rink, and gymnasium. Time will be scheduled for group devotionals and fellowship.

Family Mission Trip (July)

This rewarding trip is open to all families with kids 8 yrs old and up. It is a week long adventure that allows us to help others in need while teaching kids values like compassion and social awareness. Most trips include painting, cleaning, or yard work, though each year promises new challenges and opportunities!

*In addition to our yearly events, we also offer family Bible studies, family fun days, and other fun-filled activities especially for families!

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