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Children's Ministries

Coming Up: 

First Friday: Football Party - February 1st - 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Family Volunteer Night at Shepherd's Door - 6:00 - 7:45 PM
First Friday: Pajamas, Pancakes, and Peter Pan - March 1st - 6:00 - 8:00 PM

St. Andrew's Vision for Children

Why raise children in a faith community?
At St. Andrew's we have a long tradition of helping children feel welcome and at home in a caring congregation.  Families are nurtured and children feel the bonds of fellowship that link all generations. 

Children in Worship
Welcome Children! You are a very important part of our church family and we welcome you to worship with us.  Both our Preschoolers (3yrs-5yrs) and our Elementary Children (Kindergarten-5th grade) are encouraged to join us for the first 10 minutes of worship in the sanctuary.  After that, we will all sing a song together as you leave the sanctuary and continue to worship in your Sunday School classrooms. 
Our preschool Sunday School program, The Ark, introduces children to the fundamentals of our faith and the stories of the Bible, while encouraging hands-on learning and art activities.  Our elementary Sunday School program, Lighthouse, allows children to explore their faith, using excellent curriculum called Rio, while supplementing learning with "Godly Play," crafts, stories, and games.  

On the first Sunday of every month, the Ark (Preschool) and LightHouse (Elementary) Sunday School Classes return to worship to set the Communion table and join the church family for the Lord's Supper. What does the Children's Program at St. Andrew's Offer?
Our staff and volunteers introduce children to the nature of God -- creative, kind, wise and loving -- as revealed in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  They explore the stories in the Old and New Testaments, and are encouraged to understand their own place in God's family.  Matthew Ryneal is our Lighthouse (Elementary) Director and utilizes the Rio Curriculum for Class, which he teaches with a rotation of volunteers. 

Our Christian Education Ministry seeks to nurture your child from birth into adulthood, and to provide support to your family at every new stage.  We have up-to-date facilities including a bright nursery; well-equipped pre-school; and imaginative, carefully designed Sunday School classrooms.  We have an active partnership with families, staff, and carefully screened volunteers who teach and minister to children.  All activities are age appropriate and properly supervised. 

Who is on the Children's ministry team?
Our Children's Ministry team is lead by Pastor of Life Development Jeremy Watson, and includes Carol Patterson, Marilyn Aberle, Becky Schiefelbein, Kendra Gish and Carolyn Gazeley.  Between them they are parents and grandparents of all ages, with a wealth of experience in education and children's ministry.  The team is supported by Marie Dolson, a professional educator, mom, and certified American Sign Language Interpreter, as well as Charlie Heniken and Chuck Stilson, grandfathers and favorite "volunteer shepherds" of the children of our congregation.

Tell me about the Nursery and Pre-School staff....
St Andrew's employs professional child care staff to watch over babies, toddlers and preschoolers during our worship service.  Ashley McClellan is excellent with children.  They are comfortable, cared for, and have a great time with Ashley and the screened volunteers who assist her every week. 

Do you have a child safety policy?
St. Andrew's performs background checks on all professional staff and volunteers.  Parents are welcome in all classrooms at any time.  Our minimum child care and classroom staffing is two adults (or one adult and one high school age youth) per room whenever children are present.

Parents of infants and toddlers leave their cell phone numbers so they can be contacted in worship.  They are also welcome to stay in the nursery or preschool room during the service, if they like.  Both rooms have large windows to allow parents and members of the congregation to observe children from the main hall.

 

      Sunday Schedule for Children

8:45 AM - 9:45 AM - Nursery open for all-ages childcare during the Education Hour.

9:45 AM - Nursery and Lighthouse Class open for Children

10:00 AM - Family Worship
         Preschoolers - 5th Grade sit together in front row with teachers, or with parents.  

10:10 AM - Children's Blessing
       After blessing, Ark (Preschool) and Lighthouse (K-5) kids leave for class

11:15 AM - Parents pick up children from class




Of Interest to Families:

Communion
We celebrate communion on the first Sunday of every month.  Children are invited during worship to help the pastors set the communion table.

Baptism
Parents wishing their children to be baptized will participate in a class that explains the history and meaning of baptism.  We invite all who want to commit their lives to Christ to be baptized.

Advent and Lent
During the four weeks before Christmas, we celebrate Advent using special devotions for home study and prayer.  Families also receive special materials to help observe Lent.  We also come together as a community for seasonal events including special events in worship, craft fairs, vespers services and dinners, and concerts. 

January Kids' Classes
Every January our pastors lead classes for elementary children and their parents.  The subjects rotate and include: baptism, communion, how to use the Bible, and the Lord's Prayer.

Presbytery Summer Camps
There are a variety of Summer Camp Opportunities for Children and Youth.  Pastor Jeremy will connect you with the perfect camp for your child.

Blessing of the Animals
We host a special summer worship service where pets are invited!  This extra-wiggly worship ends with special blessings on the patio for every cat and dog--and sometimes birds, gerbils, fish, and frogs.



 

A Caring Circle of Friends

• Pastoral Care
• Neighborhood Ministry
• Directories
• Salt Company Camp
• Young Adults

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