Growing in Faith Together
Children's Sunday School: Children’s Sunday School meets weekly from 9:35 - 10:15 a.m. Kindergarten/1st grade in room 313, as well as 2nd/3rd grade in room 314, are exploring biblical stories through the Godly Play curriculum which promotes wondering and fosters faith. 4th/5th grade meets in room 309, following the Storymakers curriculum with a “Faith Guide” unit exploring foundations of the Christian faith such as the sacraments, Apostle’s Creed, Lord’s Prayer, and Ten Commandments. Pre-K is kicking off the year in room 208 with a “Blast Off!” unit from the Grow curriculum.
K-5 Children’s Choir: Our K-5 choir meets weekly from 9-9:30 a.m. Following Children’s Choir, children go to Sunday school from 9:35 a.m.-10:15 a.m. While the K-5 Choir meets, preschool age children (ages 3-5) are invited with a parent/guardian to hang out in the play zone (room 208). This will then transition to their Sunday school class at 9:35 a.m.
Our children’s dance troupe performs during special worship services throughout the year, including Palm Sunday and Youth Sunday. All children, 2nd-5th grade, are welcome to join the troupe. Rehearsals are during the Children’s Church time in worship in the lead-up to performances. Contact Elaine with questions or to get involved at ewoods@annandale-umc.org .
Noisy Offering: On the second Sunday of each month during worship, Children’s Ministry collects a “Noisy Offering” during the worship service. The Noisy Offering is, as its name indicates, noisy and joyous as children with little red buckets collect loose change from other worshipers. At the end of the program year, everything given through the Noisy Offering goes to purchase flocks of chicks through Heifer International to help families in need. A flock of chicks changes lives by “providing eggs and protein for nourishment, boosting income through sales of extra eggs and offspring, and ensuring security for generations.”
Making Space for Children During Worship
Nursery care: Quality, faith-based care for our littlest friends (infants – age 3) is available in the nursery, room 207, Sunday mornings beginning at 10 a.m..
Children’s Church: We are blessed by the presence of children in our community and welcome their wiggles and giggles. Held during our 10:30 a.m. worship service, children are invited to a worship experience specifically designed for ages 3-5th grade. Children will encounter God in new and exciting ways as they grow their faith through engaging and interacting with a weekly message, activity, and more. Children start in the sanctuary with their parents and follow the leaders out after the children’s story. They return to the sanctuary prior to communion each Sunday.
Children’s Wiggle Corner: As an act of welcome and hospitality for families with young children, a part of our atrium with a good view through the glass doors and walls into the sanctuary holds children’s worship bags with coloring and other quiet activites, a collection of soft toys, a child-friendly table and chair set up, and some Bible-based books for kiddos. Parents with young children are free to choose what works best for them at any given time, be that joining everyone in the sanctuary, using the nursery, or checking out the wiggle corner; first and foremost, you and your children are welcome as you are, wiggles and all, in whatever space you choose to worship and gather with us.
Space to move: Room 208, a children’s playroom, is now set up with a TV streaming our worship services. This additional option will help families with children too old for the nursery who need space to move and play. Parents are asked to accompany their children when visiting room 208, where they can watch the service while their children get their energy out. Feel free to duck in and out of room 208 as needed. A special thanks for Daniel and Jesse Hartley for donating the TV for this playroom!
Get Involved
It takes a village in Children's Ministries. Whether you're interested in helping lead a children's Sunday school class or just have a few minutes to help clean up after an event, we're grateful for your assistance! Contact Elaine Woods at ewoods@annandale-umc.org to learn how you can get involved.
Annandale UMC needs volunteers to teach Children’s Church during the sermon for about 30 minutes. Children ages 4 - 12 start in the sanctuary with their parents and follow the leaders out after the children’s story. They return to the sanctuary prior to communion each Sunday. Curriculum and supplies are provided. Sign up at annandalechurch.com/ccvolunteer