Children's Ministries
Children are valued members of our congregation, not just for their future potential, but for their present gifts. They are essential to our celebration of God's presence in our midst. As participants and leaders, children are an integral part of every area of ministry at St. Paul's: worship, learning, caring and outreach.
"...and a little child shall lead them." - Isaiah 11:6
Sunday School for Children
Sunday School classes for children of all ages are offered at 9:45 in the Jones Building.
• Nursery care
• 2-year-olds
• Preschool
• Younger Elementary
• Older Elementary
• Green Pastures, a ministry for children of any age with developmental challenges or special needs
Children and Worship
Children are welcome in all worship services. You may wish to sit near the front so that children may see and participate more fully. We do offer nurseries and childcare during all worship services, and the ushers will be happy to direct you to the Jones Building.
- Children's worship bulletins for Sunday morning services are available in the narthex or from an usher. A “Welcome to Worship” leaflet explains the parts of the liturgy and encourages discussion at home.
- At the 8:30 and 11:05 worship services, young children are invited to meet in the center aisle during the 2nd hymn to be escorted to the Jones Building for "Children's Church" and other age-appropriate activities. Children of any age are welcome whenever they feel ready, and adults are welcome to accompany them.
- A preschool worship assembly, “Joyful Noise,” begins the Sunday School hour at 9:45 with singing, scripture and prayers for children age 3 through Kindergarten.
- Elementary children’s choirs (1st – 5th grades) rehearse on Sunday mornings, learn about worship, and provide music for worship services throughout the school year.
- Children are always welcome to participate in the sacrament of Holy Communion in the United Methodist Church.
- For information about baptism for infants, children or adults, contact any staff member.
- Educational series about worship and the sacraments are offered periodically, often with a companion series for adults.
- The seasons of the Christian year are celebrated with special worship opportunities, including a Children's Good Friday service, Flowering of the Cross at Easter, the Children's Christmas Candlelight Service, and Blessing of the Animals. Children provide art for Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter devotional booklets for family devotional time at home.
Music for Children
St. Paul’s offers a comprehensive music program for children of all ages.
MUSIKGARTEN is a highly acclaimed music and movement program for families with infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Weekly classes meet in fall, spring, and summer semesters. The sessions, attended by children along with a parent or other adult, emphasize the pure joy of music with the benefits of sensory and motor development, parent/child bonding, and social interaction with peers. The fee includes a CD and other materials to keep the enjoyment going at home. For more about the Musikgarten curriculum, go to www.musikgarten.org. For schedule and fee information or a registration form, contact Ellen Edwards.
“JOYFUL NOISE” is a worship assembly for preschoolers that meets as part of the Sunday School hour during the school year, beginning at 9:45 in the Jones Building. Anna Teagarden leads children in singing, scripture and prayers. Following the assembly, children are led to their individual classrooms for the weekly Bible story, art projects and activities. All children in the 3-year-old through Kindergarten classes are welcome; no reservations are needed.
ELEMENTARY CHOIRS for children in 1st through 5th grades meet on Sunday mornings, led by Anna Teagarden.
- Wesley Singers (1st & 2nd grades) meet immediately after Sunday School at 10:45 in the Children’s Choir Room, S-106, in the basement of the Sanctuary Building.
- St. Paul’s Choristers (3rd grade and older) attend the 11:05 worship service, exit during the 2nd hymn for separate rehearsals for Boy Choristers and Girl Choristers in S-106. Choristers participate in the “Voice for Life” curriculum of the Royal School of Church Music.
- A Treble Choir for older girls meets on Wednesday evenings.
Throughout the school year, children’s choirs provide leadership for worship services and special occasions such as the Children’s Christmas Candlelight Service, Children’s Good Friday service, Blessing of the Animals, and Holly Hall retirement center services. For specific information or to register for choir, contact Anna Teagarden.