Welcome Children & Families!
Sundays at Manchester UMC, offer several different ways for the children of God and their families to grow in their faith and understanding of the Bible as they experience God with each other . Our staff and dedicated volunteers are called to make sure our children and families always feel welcome, safe and cared for by adults who model God’s love. We invite you to join us as we play and work each week to grow deeper in our learning together.
9 AM Sunday School (Children 2 Years Old through 5th Grade
Sunday School is a place for ALL children to learn the story of God’s love, connect their own experience to the Biblical stories, and to find a place to belong. Our Sunday school team presents fun and engaging age appropriate curriculum for our 2 years old through 5th grade classes.
Our Sunday School team is delighted to welcome children ages 2 years old through 5th grade in Manchester UMC’s Children’s Area which is located in the lower level for Sunday school during the 9 am worship service.
Sunday school classrooms will be using the Good Shepherd curriculum written by Rev. Brenda Stobbe. This curriculum helps children of all ages grow cognitively, emotionally, and spiritually in their relationship with God. Our new Storytelling Room (Room 103) gives the children a dedicated space to be surrounded by Bible stories, while they experience the stories of their faith and dig deeper with wondering questions and their own reflections.
Music experiences are presented each week by the Director of Children’s Music and Drama, Emily Pikaard.
Classroom assignments are as follows: (You will also note age level designations posted on or above the doors of each classroom)
Sunday School Age Groups | Room Assignment |
2 year old*-4 years | Room 110 |
Kindergarten – 2nd Grades | Room 111 |
3rd – 5th Grades | Room 106 |
**Large Group Gathering+ Check-In | Old Fellowship Hall (Room 133) |
*Must be 2 years old by August 1.
**3rd through 5th graders will check-in at their designated classroom (Rroom 106). Large Group Gathering and check-in in Old Fellowship Hall only applies to 2 year old’s – 2nd grade.
11A Options
The 11 am service gives families an opportunity to spend all or part of the time together in the worship service. Three options for children to enjoy their time in the worship service are offered:
- Worship WITH Children:
All children are invited to stop at the Children and Family Ministries table in the Lobby to pick up a clip board, choose their paper work activities and crayons and grab a fidget or two if they like. Children are invited to use these materials through out the worship service, even as they join in with singing, liturgy and prayers as they are able.
- PRAYground:
PRAYground is available at both the 9 and 11 am worship services. It is designed to allow children to participate in quiet play while still engaging in the worship service as they choose. Explore what’s in the drawers and on the table. Parents are asked to sit withing sight and sound of the PRAYground so they are available if their children need attention.
- KINdom Kids*:
KINdom Kids is an opportunity for children ages 3-3rd grade to leave the sanctuary with Pastor Brenda and a volunteer during the sermon time only. When KINdom Kids is announced during the service, children will meet Pastor Brenda by the PRAYground area and move with her and volunteers to the Nursery Annex. The children are invited to hear a story that connects with the weekly sermon topic and then enjoy activities that reinforce the story. Children may also enjoy the toys in this section of the nursery. Children are brought back to parents at the end of the sermon.
*On Family Worship Weekends, KINdom Kids is available at both 9a and 11a services.
Tween Tribe:
Tween Tribe is a monthly gathering for kids in 3rd through 5th grades. Tween Tribe meets at 12:15 pm on designated Sunday afternoons. This is an opportunity for “tweens” to explore how they belong together, take care of each other, work to be of service to their church and help make their little corner of the world a better place. Pastor Brenda, Emily Pikaard, and volunteers lead this ministry.
Fall Schedule (More meetings than normal as we prepare for Christmas Eve)
- Sunday, October 8 / 12:15-2:00p
- Sunday, October 29 / 12:15-2:00p
- Sunday, November 5 / 12:15-2:00p
- Sunday, November 19 /12:15-2:00p
Please check the Children and Family Facebook page for updates on other times Tween Tribe will meet for project work.
Sunday School Registration Forms for 2023-2024
Please complete Step #1 by registering your family and Step #2 by completing the Minor Consent form for each child.
Step #1
Step #2
Volunteers Needed
How to Become a pair of Sunday School Loving Hands
Children’s and Family Ministries are only as strong as the volunteers make them. While we have limited staff leadership, we need lots of volunteers each week, month and for special events. Here are some ways you can help.
To keep our children safe, all who work with our Children of God, ALL adults are required to be Safe Gatherings trained. To learn more or register for the online Safe Gatherings program, please click on the button below:
Our Sunday School team is looking for volunteers to help as much as once a month or as little as once a semester.
YOU WILL NOT NEED TO:
- Prepare a lesson
- Lead a story
- Gather materials
- Sing and dance wildly, unless you really want to
YOU WILL:
- Be present with the children as they gather and hear the Good Shepherd story.
- Join another leader/teacher in a classroom to help children with crafts and give oversight as they play/work.
- Help tidy the room when class is over.
Go to www.sign…… And choose the Sundays that work for you. Sign Up Genius will send you an email reminder a few days before you are scheduled to help.
KINdom Kids
One adult is needed each Sunday to help with KINdom Kids. Preparation is done by Pastor Brenda. Your hands, smile and willingness to be with kids for 20 minutes is all that’s needed.
Sign up to help at www.sign… Or email Pastor Brenda at [email protected]
Tween Tribe
Two volunteers are needed for each monthly meeting to meet Safe Gatherings requirements as this group of creative, imaginative, hard working 3rd-5th grade students take charge of their age group and work to make their home at MUMC their favorite place! If questions, please email Rev. Brenda Stobbe.
