Children'S MINISTRY
Children are a vital part of our church family, participating in worship, music, education, missions and recreation. Programs are designed carefully in order to teach children about God's love and how to serve him through music, study, and helping others.
On Sunday morning there are church school classes as well as nursery care for the littlest ones. Worship services include A Time with the Youngest Members, and a Children's Church Continued for younger ones. Our children's choirs often sing on Sunday mornings. Children are always welcome in worship services at Idlewild.
Ms. Elizabeth Houston
Director of Children's Ministry
726-4681 ext. 33
ehouston@idlewildchurch.org
Childcare on Sunday Mornings
Idlewild offers church school and childcare for our youngest members designed to make worshipping here an enriching, as well as enjoyable, experience for the whole family. Nursery care for infants and toddlers is provided during both 8:30 and 11:00 Sunday morning services. Children's Church Continued (C3) is an extended session during the 11:00 worship service for children under six.
Children's Church Continued
For ages three through kindergarten, Children’s Church Continued (C3) begins after Time with the Younger Church in the 11:00 worship service. Children leave the Sanctuary and go with helpers to Rooms 203–204W Jones Building. They participate in worship, Bible stories, crafts, snacks and playtime. Parents should pick up their children immediately after the service.
Sunday Morning Church School
All children's classes meet Sunday at 9:40-10:40 a.m.
Nursery, Toddlers, Two-Year-Olds
All classes and nursery are in the Jones Building. on the main floor, east wing.
Infants
Loving, nurturing care is provided for the littlest members of our church family. (Nursery)
Toddlers
A monthly theme and weekly routine provide these active members with lots of learning opportunities. (Nursery)
Two-Year-Olds
Explore simple Bible stories using the Bible Quest PC(USA) curriculum, with lots of time for active play. (Room 212E)
Preschool
Using the BibleZone Live! curriculum, preschoolers explore the world through Bible stories, songs, play and joyful noise as they experience the sights, sounds, tastes smells, and textures. All preschool classes are in the Jones Building on the main floor, west wing.
Three Year Olds (out of diapers) (Room 204W)
Junior Kindergarten (Room 203W)
Senior Kindergarten (Room 202W)
Elementary
Children in grades 1-6 use the "We Believe" curriculum. Fifth-sixth graders study issues relevant to the life of preteens through both Biblical discussion and video clips.
Elementary classrooms are in the Jones Building on the third floor, east wing.
First and Second Graders (Room 310E)
Third Graders (Room 311E)
Fourth Graders (Room 312E)
Fifth-Sixth Graders (Room 309E)
Children's Choirs
Children's choirs rehearse and sing during the school year. For more info please contact Ted Gibboney, Director of Music, gibboney@idlewildchurch.org or 726-4681 ext. 12.
Cherub Choir
Children in Junior/Senior Kindergarten are in the Cherub Choir. They rehearse Sunday mornings at 9:40 (the first half of church school) in Room 201W.
Primary Choir
Children in grades 1-3 are in Primary Choir. They rehearse Wednesday evenings, 5:00-5:40 p.m.
Junior Choir
(Grades 4-6)
The Junior Choir, grades 4-6, rehearses Wednesday evenings, 5:00–5:50 p.m.
Wednesday Evenings Living and Learning (WELL)
WELL (September-May) is designed to offer individuals and families a wellspring of options for deepening their relationships with God and one another. Participants may select from various offerings that accommodate a wide spectrum of interests and schedules. Activities for children and youth are consistent week-to-week, with changes for special events.
Regularly scheduled WELL programs for children
| All Children |
|
| 5:30 - 6:15 p.m. |
WELL dinner served (children eat with parents) |
| Babies, Toddlers, Two-Year-olds |
|
| 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. |
Nursery care and playtime |
| Preschoolers |
|
| 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. |
Joyful noise: Bible stories, crafts and playtime |
| Grades 1-3 |
|
| 5:00 - 5:40 p.m. |
Primary Choir |
| 6:15 - 6:45 p.m. |
Small Samaritans outreach program |
| Grades 4-6 |
|
| 5:00 - 5:50 p.m. |
Junior Chor |
| 6:15 - 6:45 p.m. |
Micah's Missionaries outreach program |
| Grades 1-6 |
|
| 6:45 - 7:30 p.m. |
Gym free play |
Vacation Bible School "Galactic Blast!" was June 7-10
Galactic Blast: A Cosmic Adventure Praising God! was our vacation Bible school (VBS) theme this summer. More than 140 children learned about God’s universal love and how to take care of God’s green earth. Blessings to the great adult and youth volunteers, especially our VBS leaders.
Thanks to some generous members, 25 Galactic Blast backpacks were filled with new t-shirts and plenty of school supplies for some Idlewild Elementary School children who otherwise would not have the needed items.