Children's Ministry (Director - Laura Gingrich)


Our Church is a Safe Sanctuary for Children

When Jesus told the masses to Let the children come to me, he set the standard for including children in our faith, our worship and our church.

Over the last few years, our church has adopted and implemented a Safe Sanctuary Program that takes large strides to make certain that our children are revered in the way Jesus intended, that coming to church is a happy occasion, and that the tragedies that have befallen children in other places of worship do not happen here. Under our new policy, which protects both children and vulnerable adults from abusive situations, we have taken steps to make certain that opportunities for such situations are minimized and that we have effective means in place for reporting and addressing suspected abuse, whether it should happen at church or during a church activity, or elsewhere.

Under our policy, there are heightened screening procedures for new and existing employees, as well as for volunteers who have regular contact with our children. These procedures include criminal background checks, child abuse history clearances and reference checks. Further, our standard practice for activities including children is that two adults are present at all times. Remember, the more volunteers we have serving the church, the easier it is to meet this standard! On those occasions where two adults cannot be present all the time, a second adult will be available and checking in on the group periodically.

If a volunteer or church employee receives a good faith report of abuse of a child, we have reporting processes in place that insure that the information gets reported to the pastors and to the authorities in a prompt manner that maintains the confidentiality of the child and the person accused while an investigation is completed. We are training our employees and volunteers about our Safe Sanctuary Program and trust that the result of our efforts will be an environment that helps our church and its many valued and trusted employees and volunteers to serve children in the manner Christ intended. Children are welcome at FUMC-Hershey!

(Photo by Bill Fraley)

Safe Sanctuary Training – If you work with children or youth at FUMC-Hershey, you must meet our Safe Sanctuary Policy guidelines. Contact Carol, 533-9668, for the next training session.


Sunday School

Sunday School is an opportunity for children to come and learn more about Christian faith in a small group setting. Classes are offered every Sunday morning from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. for children age two through grade 5.

The Tree House
If you are in grades Kindergarten through Fifth, come join The Tree House on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30. We start off with a short worship time together before separating into our grade levels to go to workshops.

Toddlers and Preschoolers meet in the nursery on the main floor. Kindergarteners through Fifth Graders meet on the bottom floor. Dedicated teachers, carefully chosen curriculum, and special events combine to create a meaningful program. Youth and Adult Sunday School classes, a Contemporary Worship service, and nursery care for infants are also available during this worship hour.


Nursery Care

Nursery care is provided for infants and toddlers during all three Sunday morning worship services (7:45 a.m. - noon) and during many of our weekday events. Please see our Nursery page for more information.  


Seeds  

“Seeds”, a children’s group for those in grades K-2, is a place "Where growing with God is fun for  everyone!" Bring your friends! Seeds meet once a month in the Primary Sunday school classrooms from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
 

 

Sprouts

“Sprouts,” a children’s group for those in grades 3-5, is a place where children grow closer to God as they learn about covenant discipleship through prayer, discussions, mission projects and fun activities. Invite your friends to join us! Sprouts meet twice a month from 6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. in the Lounge.
 


Musical Programs for Children

There are many opportunities for children to be involved with music at First Church. Please see our Music Ministry page for more information.  


Mothers Together

Something special for Mothers! Mothers Together, a fun fellowship group for moms of infants and young children, meets during the school year from 9:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. on various dates. Come join this delightful group of ladies! Contact Laura Gingrich at 533-9668 for more information. Please see our Adult Ministry page for more small groups.


Parent Resources

Children in Worship
We welcome children in all worship services! This brochure describes children's actions and thoughts in worship encouraging you to bring your children to worship.

How Adults Can Nurture Children in the Christian Faith
Ideas for how to nurture Christian faith in our kids inside and outside the church.

Sensory Sensitivity Inventory
There are children in our community that have sensory sensitivities that may make it challenging for them to participate as fully as they would wish during worship and other church gatherings. Please fill out this inventory so we can become more adaptable and accommodating as a church community.



September 2010 in
Children's Sunday School

New curriculum begins September 5

Preschool—First Look!
In September, Preschoolers will be reminded that God loves them - no matter what. Think about that for just a minute. No matter what we've done or what we haven't done, God loves us. Always.

Tree House (Grades K-5)—Club Respect!
Our theme for September is “Club Respect”. Treating others with respect regardless of their mistakes and foibles, regardless of whether we disagree with them, regardless of how we feel around them is one of the hardest things God expects of us.

September 5: You respect God when you show respect for people in charge -Romans 13:1-7.
September 12: You can show respect with your actions - 1 Samuel 18; 19; 24. September 19: You can show respect with your words. Words are powerful. -James 3:9-12.
September 26: Show respect to God because He's in charge of everything -Matthew 8:5-13.

Worship Pockets for Children, ages 3 to 11, are available in at the Welcome Center! Pockets contain items to help your child understand worship. Each child may claim one for his/her very own. Children learn by doing, so worship together as a family!

There are some great ideas in our Parent Resources section!

Music Ministry Opportunity for Children & Youth
Any piano or instrumental student wishing to play a sacred or classical selection appropriate for Worship, please contact
Shawn Gingrich at 533-9668.