Children
Children are the future of our world. They are the future of the church. They inspire us, encourage us, and teach us in the process of teaching them. At Central, we value our children as one of God’s greatest blessings. Children are encouraged to explore, wonder, and question as they grow in their faith.
Ministries for children include Sunday School, weekday activities, Vacation Bible School, and music education.
Listen to our Joyful Noise Children’s Choir sing in June of 2007:
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY MISSION STATEMENT
“Taking our baptismal vows seriously, we will love, support, teach, pray for, and be models for Central’s children; providing an environment where individuals and families can mature spiritually, socially, and intellectually in the way of Jesus Christ our Lord.”
An integral part of Central Reformed Church is the faith formation of each one of its children into the fullness of Jesus Christ and a deepened relationship with God. To that end, the Children’s Ministry Committee oversees and implements a wide variety of opportunities for children from birth through fifth grade to grow, learn, and nuture their faith.
FAITHSTEPS
This ministry marks, remembers, and celebrates important faithsteps in the faith journeys of children in the church, such as baptism, beginning Children and Worship, beginning church school, attending the entire congregational worship service, and first Communion. Those faithsteps are marked with liturgy, celebration, and a gift book. In addition, parents receive information for taking the celebration home and building on it.
WEDNESDAY EVENING MUSIC
During the school year there are several music opportunities for children.
Wednesday Nights
Celebration Ringers bell choir meets for rehearsal on Wednesday evenings at 6:15 pm.
Kindermusik
In each Kindermusik class, instructor Sarah Goldner leads a group of parents and their children through joyful activities, using music and movement.
Our Time (ages 1½ to 3 years old) (6:15 to 6:55 p.m.)
Imagine That (ages 3 to 5 years old) (7:00 to 7:45 p.m.)
Please contact the church for more details on dates that this class is meeting.
SUNDAY MORNING
WORSHIP HOUR
Infants/Ones Nursery (9:15 to 10:45 a.m.) Volunteer Schedule
In this setting, adults and high school youth show God’s love to our youngest members. In order to provide consistency, we have paid caregivers in both nurseries. We hope that parents will feel at ease leaving their child with a familiar caregiver. Staff are screened, including a background check and child protection training.
Twos/Threes Nursery (9:15 to 10:45 a.m.) Volunteer Schedule
This is a time for children to experience God in a nurturing environment. Children hear simple God Loves Me stories and circle time which affirm that God loves each one of them. Children respond to the stories through follow-up play activities.
Children and Worship Program (9:50 to 10:45 a.m.)
After spending some time with the congregation in worship, children age 4 through fourth grade are sent with a blessing from the congregation to their Worship Centers. In this worship setting children experience rather than just learn about God. This multisensory worship approach uses wooden figures, underlays, backdrops, and laminated figures to tell God’s stories. Children respond to the stories through wondering questions and art materials.
Worship Center I: Four-year olds through Kindergarten Volunteer Schedule
Worship Center II: First and Second Grades Volunteer Schedule
Worship Center III: Third and Fourth Grades Volunteer Schedule
EDUCATION HOUR
Infants/Ones/Twos/Threes Nursery (10:45 a.m. to 12 noon)
Childcare is provided by adults and a paid caregiver so that parents may participate in learning opportunities during this time. Children engage in a time of free play.
Joyful Noise (10:45 to 11:12 a.m.)
Under the direction of Mary Beth Timmer, children age four through third grade participate in music and drama activities from the Walk With Me curriculum. These children present special programs during a second hour in Advent and at the end of the program year.
Walk with Me (11:15 - Noon)
Children from ages 4 through 8th grade get to ask their questions and learn about God and the Bible through our Sunday morning curriculum “Walk with Me”.
Ages 4- 1st grade (Fireside Room) Volunteer Schedule
2nd - 3rd grade (Room 3) Volunteer Schedule
4th - 5th grade (Room 5) Volunteer Schedule
Secondary Education (11:00 - Noon)
6th - 8th grade (Room 20) –Walk with Me: Heidelberg Catechism and Teen Social Issues
High School (Conference Room) –Various teachers and curriculums