Believing in the importance of nurturing a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and God’s people, Idlewild will, with God’s help, guide children to know, love, and serve the Lord by providing a solid foundation of Biblical understanding with opportunities to apply spiritual truths at home, school, and play.
Ages 0 – 3 | Room 153
During Worship and Sunday School, the littlest amongst us can look forward to loving care in our nursery located on the first floor of the Jones building. Parents may check in their children and rest assured that they are cared for while they have space to fully participate in Sunday school and worship. Please bring diapers, favorite toys, and any bottles or food your children may require.
3 years old – 5th Grade | 9:40 – 10:40 am
Check-In (9:30 – 9:40 am): Check in your 3-year-olds – 5th-grade children in the Kids’ Room on the 3rd floor of the Jones building. You won’t want to be late, because the party starts promptly at 9:40!
Large Group Time (9:40-10 am): All children will check in Large Group first. Look forward to energizers, songs, skits, a memory verse, bible story, and games! Our 4th and 5th graders play a leadership role, have special “big kid” seating, and have the opportunity to be helpers.
Small Group Time (10 – 10:40 am): After the Large Group energizers conclude, teachers will lead students into their age-based small group classes where our children are immersed in God’s story. There they will continue to learn about the day’s story through developmentally-appropriate activities and play. Parents will collect their children from their small group classes at 10:40.
3 – 4 Year Olds: Room 326
K – 1 Grade: Room 323
2 – 3 Grade: Room 325
4 – 5 Grade: Room 324
Worship Packets: Young worshippers are a vital part of our faith community. To enhance their worship experience, stop by the Worship & Wonder check-in station and pick up a packet full of activities to engage them during the service.
Time with the Younger Church: During the sanctuary service, children of all ages come forward for a special time to ask questions, make observations, and explore the morning’s scripture.
Worship & Wonder: Following Time with Younger Church, children 3 years old – Kindergarten are invited to leave big church and continue to their own time of worship. Together, they will make meaning through story, wonder, and play. Parents may walk their children out of the service, check them in at the Worship and Wonder room, and return to the sanctuary.
Learn about some of our annual events and traditions below. To stay informed about details, dates, and times, subscribe to our Children’s Newsletter, which comes out on Friday afternoons.
Vacation Bible School
Children ages 3 through rising 8th graders are invited to VBS in June! We play games, hear Bible stories, sing, enjoy snacks, serve in outreach, and make art together.
Parents’ Night Out
Parents enjoy fellowship together, while the kids have a fun evening at the church! Nursery care is provided for children 3 and under, while ages 3-12 share some pizza and fun at a party of their own.
Second Grade Bibles
Each September, our emerging readers are presented with a keepsake Bible during worship. After church, we eat lunch, introduce our kids to their Bibles, and teach them how to read scripture on their own.
Children’s Choir
Music is such a formative part of a child’s faith journey. Children 4 years old through 6th grade are invited to participate. Practices are during Woven Together Wednesdays in the Spring and Fall!
NaCoMe All-Church Camp
Children and their adults are invited to Idlewild’s all-church camp in October, during Fall Break. Enjoy intentional retreat and Sabbath at NaCoMe – a refuge and home away from home in Pleasantville, TN.
Halloween Carnival & Pumpkin Party
Decorate pumpkins and party and play with the spooky at our annual Halloween Carnival and Pumpkin Party – a fun-filled afternoon of games, trick or treats, cake walks, and more!
Toy Drive
Before Christmas each year, the Children’s Ministry holds a toy drive for the Refugee Empowerment Program.
Child-led Christmas Eve Service
At 3 pm on Christmas Eve, young Idlewilders lead worship as they share the story of Jesus’ birth through songs, readings, and acting out the Nativity story.
Easter Egg Hunt
Children of all ages come hunt for eggs and enjoy bounce houses and a petting zoo!
Created Good
Each spring, 5th graders have a time of learning and open dialogue about how God created our whole unique selves. We can be proud and comfortable of our sexuality and changing bodies.
Sundays | 9:40 am | Room 304
Parents of littles and school-aged children come together to explore tenets of our faith and how to encourage faith formation in the home. Join us for discussion, deepening friendships, and prayer.
Fridays | 8:30 am | 28 S Evergreen St
Parents gather for coffee on Friday mornings during the school year, to read through the week’s lectionary passage, share our celebrations and concerns from our week, and join in prayer. If you have little ones with you, nursery care is available.
