Children's Ministry
Nursery
- Our church Nursery is located on the 1st floor of the Education Building.
- Parents or guardians must sign their children in and out of nursery care.
- Two nursery care givers, provide a safe, warm, and loving environment for your little ones.
- Snacks are always available.
- Nursery care is provided during the Sunday School time (9:45am-10:30am) for children 2 and under.
- During Worship Services, nursery care is available for infant through Kindergarten.
- The Worship Service is broadcast to the nursery for the nursery care givers and for the children to follow along.
Children's Education
Sunday School
Sunday School classes begin at 9:45am and are offered for age 3 – grade 6 by dedicated teachers in the education building. Toddler Sunday School is offered for ages 3-5 on the 1st floor of the Education Building, next to the nursery while all other children’s Sunday School classes are on the 2nd floor of the Education Building.
Fifth and Sixth graders are grouped together as well as third and fourth graders, and first and second graders.
Mid-week Program, Pioneer Club
Pioneer Club, our mid week program, for age 5 – 6th grade meets after school to 5:30pm. Pioneer Club originated in Winfield Illinois in 1939. The program was started for 13 year old girls and was called Girls Guild. Within a couple of years, the named changed to Pioneer Girls, and then in 1981, the program added boys to the mix and changed their name to Pioneer Clubs. The Pioneer Clubs Mission is “to serve God by providing the most effective and educationally sound programs to help children follow Christ in every aspect of life.” The Pioneer Club Goals are to: “1. To enable children to enter into a personal relationship with Christ and to know his Word. 2. To enable children to form healthy relationships. 3. To enable children to grow as whole persons. 4. To enable adults to understand children and help them develop.” Pioneer Club curriculum incorporates Bible Study/Story, life application, verse memorization, drama, crafts, science, service projects, and related games! Badges are earned for completion of studies and activities. We began using Pioneer Club curriculum in January 2008. The kids love the program and keep coming back!!
Each Wednesday, transportation is provided from the 3 Gonzales elementary schools. Van transportation is limited and seats do fill up quickly!
Our program begins immediately after school with a hearty snack and playtime outside (weather permitting). Then, all children, volunteer teachers and assistants move to the Sanctuary for announcements, and devotional. The time together helps us refocus to the reason we are at church in the middle of the week: to reconnect to God with Bible Story/Study time and fun!
After devotional, teachers, assistants and children break into their appropriate grade level and head for their classrooms. The different grade levels all have names: Age 5-Kindergarten are called Scooters, 1st and 2nd graders are called Voyagers, 3rd and 4th graders are called Pathfinders and the 5th and 6th graders are called Trailblazers!
A teacher and assistant are with each group unless a grade level only has a few children in that particular grade level, then only a teacher leads the group.
A registration fee is charged for this program to cover the cost of snacks throughout the year. Registration is usually held in late August and early September. Children can join the program at any time throughout the year! Pioneer Club ends around the 3rd week in April.
CHI RHO Singers - Children and Youth Choir
Children’s choir is for Kindergarten through 12th grade. This group is led by our faithful director, Bill Meadows. The Chi Rho Singers perform at least quarterly during both Sunday Services, Currently children’s choir practices are held on Wednesday’s at 4:00 pm.
Children and Youth Services
Once a year, children and youth lead both Worship Services. Children participate by greeting, handing out bulletins, ushering, reading, performing music, and acolyting. These are very special services. The children do a wonderful job and take on their responsibilities very seriously!. The youth deliver the Message and are the liturgists.
Acolytes
Children 2nd grade through 6th grade serve as acolytes for both services. And children 5th grade-12th grade carry in the cross for both services. Training is held each fall or upon request. Please let the church office know if your child is interested in participating.
Sunday School classes begin at 9:45am and are offered for age 3 – grade 6 by dedicated teachers in the education building. Toddler Sunday School is offered for ages 3-5 on the 1st floor of the Education Building, next to the nursery while all other children’s Sunday School classes are on the 2nd floor of the Education Building.
Fifth and Sixth graders are grouped together as well as third and fourth graders, and first and second graders.
Mid-week Program, Pioneer Club
Pioneer Club, our mid week program, for age 5 – 6th grade meets after school to 5:30pm. Pioneer Club originated in Winfield Illinois in 1939. The program was started for 13 year old girls and was called Girls Guild. Within a couple of years, the named changed to Pioneer Girls, and then in 1981, the program added boys to the mix and changed their name to Pioneer Clubs. The Pioneer Clubs Mission is “to serve God by providing the most effective and educationally sound programs to help children follow Christ in every aspect of life.” The Pioneer Club Goals are to: “1. To enable children to enter into a personal relationship with Christ and to know his Word. 2. To enable children to form healthy relationships. 3. To enable children to grow as whole persons. 4. To enable adults to understand children and help them develop.” Pioneer Club curriculum incorporates Bible Study/Story, life application, verse memorization, drama, crafts, science, service projects, and related games! Badges are earned for completion of studies and activities. We began using Pioneer Club curriculum in January 2008. The kids love the program and keep coming back!!
Each Wednesday, transportation is provided from the 3 Gonzales elementary schools. Van transportation is limited and seats do fill up quickly!
Our program begins immediately after school with a hearty snack and playtime outside (weather permitting). Then, all children, volunteer teachers and assistants move to the Sanctuary for announcements, and devotional. The time together helps us refocus to the reason we are at church in the middle of the week: to reconnect to God with Bible Story/Study time and fun!
After devotional, teachers, assistants and children break into their appropriate grade level and head for their classrooms. The different grade levels all have names: Age 5-Kindergarten are called Scooters, 1st and 2nd graders are called Voyagers, 3rd and 4th graders are called Pathfinders and the 5th and 6th graders are called Trailblazers!
A teacher and assistant are with each group unless a grade level only has a few children in that particular grade level, then only a teacher leads the group.
A registration fee is charged for this program to cover the cost of snacks throughout the year. Registration is usually held in late August and early September. Children can join the program at any time throughout the year! Pioneer Club ends around the 3rd week in April.
CHI RHO Singers - Children and Youth Choir
Children’s choir is for Kindergarten through 12th grade. This group is led by our faithful director, Bill Meadows. The Chi Rho Singers perform at least quarterly during both Sunday Services, Currently children’s choir practices are held on Wednesday’s at 4:00 pm.
Children and Youth Services
Once a year, children and youth lead both Worship Services. Children participate by greeting, handing out bulletins, ushering, reading, performing music, and acolyting. These are very special services. The children do a wonderful job and take on their responsibilities very seriously!. The youth deliver the Message and are the liturgists.
Acolytes
Children 2nd grade through 6th grade serve as acolytes for both services. And children 5th grade-12th grade carry in the cross for both services. Training is held each fall or upon request. Please let the church office know if your child is interested in participating.
Summer Activities
Vacation Bible School is the highlight of each summer. Approximately 200 children attend VBS and over 130 volunteers help to make this community outreach program successful! The program includes great music, interactive Bible Stories and dramas, mission projects, crafts, fun games and yummy food!
A camping opportunity is available for exiting 3rd-exiting 5th graders. This camp is called Basic Training Camp and is hosted by First United Methodist Victoria. Children love this camp and always want to return the next year. I attend with the children and work as a counselor.
During the summer, children participate in other activities like visiting the assisted living and nursing homes around the 4th of July and singing patriotic music and delivering flags. Children and families also take a trip to a nearby water park every summer. Children participate and help serve at our Annual Teacher Luncheon in August.
Lego Camp 2018 is July 30th-August 3rd. This is a day camp for ages 5-7 and 8-12, using 100,000 Legos to teach pre-engineering and engineering term
A camping opportunity is available for exiting 3rd-exiting 5th graders. This camp is called Basic Training Camp and is hosted by First United Methodist Victoria. Children love this camp and always want to return the next year. I attend with the children and work as a counselor.
During the summer, children participate in other activities like visiting the assisted living and nursing homes around the 4th of July and singing patriotic music and delivering flags. Children and families also take a trip to a nearby water park every summer. Children participate and help serve at our Annual Teacher Luncheon in August.
Lego Camp 2018 is July 30th-August 3rd. This is a day camp for ages 5-7 and 8-12, using 100,000 Legos to teach pre-engineering and engineering term
CHI RHO Singers
Children’s choir is for Kindergarten through 6th grade with our music director leading the children. Children’s choir performs on Palm Sunday and other special occasions and holidays throughout the year, Currently children’s choir practices are not held on a regular schedule, but are called practices when choir performs.
Holidays
Christmas activities begin with the hanging of Chrismons on the 1st Sunday of Advent during the worship services. Our annual Christmas pageant is held on a Sunday evening either the 1st or 2nd weekend in December. Preschool through high school age children participate in this beautiful, sweet retelling of Christ birth. After the pageant, families enjoy fellowship and a light meal while we have a surprise visit from Santa! Children and Families also participate in the Annual United Methodist Women’s Sock Tree drive. New Socks and undergarments are donated and used to decorate a Christmas tree. All items are donated to local schools. A Christmas Craft Fair is held every December on a Wednesday (early evening) with children and their families coming together to make Christmas crafts such as Chrismons, decorated sugar cookies, angels, and ornaments. This is the year end extravaganza for the Pioneer Club children. Our entire congregation is encouraged to have fun and make Christmas memories!
Easter – Children lead a Palm Processional on Palm Sunday. Another Easter Tradition children are actively involved in is that of growing butterflies! We receive Painted Lady Larvae approximately 21 days before Easter. We watch as the larvae turn into cocoons, then transform into butterflies! Butterflies are released on Easter morning, telling the beautiful story for Jesus resurrection! Our annual Easter Egg hunt is held on Easter Sunday morning during Sunday School.
Trunk or Treat – Children’s ministry participates in the annual Trunk or treat hosted by the church Youth Group. We take pictures in a fall setting, print and mat and give to the parents. Children’s ministry also hosts several craft tables while the youth offer games in the trunks or beds of their vehicles. Trunk or Treat takes place on the last Sunday of October free of charge and is open to the public.
Easter – Children lead a Palm Processional on Palm Sunday. Another Easter Tradition children are actively involved in is that of growing butterflies! We receive Painted Lady Larvae approximately 21 days before Easter. We watch as the larvae turn into cocoons, then transform into butterflies! Butterflies are released on Easter morning, telling the beautiful story for Jesus resurrection! Our annual Easter Egg hunt is held on Easter Sunday morning during Sunday School.
Trunk or Treat – Children’s ministry participates in the annual Trunk or treat hosted by the church Youth Group. We take pictures in a fall setting, print and mat and give to the parents. Children’s ministry also hosts several craft tables while the youth offer games in the trunks or beds of their vehicles. Trunk or Treat takes place on the last Sunday of October free of charge and is open to the public.
Children's Volunteer Opportunities
- Sunday School Teacher
- Vacation Bible School
- Pioneer Club
- Come and Take It Fundraiser
- Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser
- Easter Activities
- Christmas Activities
- Summer Activities
- Children’s Ministry Committee