Children's Ministry Newsletter - September | | |
Dear Families,
We hope the transition from summer to back-to-school has been smooth! As of last Sunday, August 30, children have officially ‘moved up a grade’ and transitioned to their new class. We are excited to begin this new season!
As a reminder, here are the ages/grades and room numbers for Sunday mornings:
Infants and Toddlers (younger than 2yrs old): Room 115
Ages 2-3yrs old: Room 111
PreK (ages 3 to Pre-Kindergarten): Room 107 (must be 3yrs old as of August 1)
Grades Kindergarten-2nd: Room 005
Grades 3rd-5th: Room 011
Below you'll learn about our August adventures and all that we have planned for September and beyond. Thank you for sharing your children with us!
| | During the month of August, our PreK-5th graders wound down their summer lessons and prepared to move up a grade in Faith Formation. Our Preschoolers continued their exploration of Old Testament Bible stories, including Daniel and the Lion's Den, The Fiery Furnace with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and Queen Esther. Our K-5th graders finished up their summer series by talking about what octopi, our friends, and the animal kingdom as a whole teach us about God! | | Then on August 23, Blessing Sunday, we celebrated the spiritual milestones of our new Kindergartners, 3rd graders, 6th graders, and 8th grade Confirmands. And finally, on August 30, Promotion Sunday, our children and youth moved into their new classes and spent time getting to know one another. We’re so looking forward to a new year of surprises, wonder, and joy, as we join together to walk with our children and deepen our relationship with God. | | We are seeking 5+ adults to serve as Sunday morning, elementary Faith Formation leaders. Please prayerfully consider serving with us twice a month. Training is provided. For more information and to get connected, please fill out this form. If you are unable to serve this year, please reach out to a friend and invite them to consider this opportunity. | | New Kindergartners and their families are invited to gather for a celebration on Sunday, September 13 at 10 am in Fellowship Hall! We will enjoy light refreshments and learn how to use our palm crosses in song and prayer. Don’t forget to bring your palm crosses! | | Acolyte Training is Sunday, September 13 at 10 am in the Sanctuary! Acolyte Training is open to all 4th and 5th graders, including current acolytes. If you are interested in learning about this special ministry, come join us! Contact Elizabeth Powell with questions. | 3rd graders and at least one grown-up are invited to join us for a follow-up Bible Retreat with Pastor Amy and Ms. Max on Sunday, September 13 at 12:30 pm in the Youth Center. During this time, they’ll discover why we treasure God’s Word and learn how to use their new Bibles together. Along the way, we’ll have fun, too! This milestone is such a special moment as our 3rd graders start discovering Scripture in new ways and deepening their relationship with Jesus. Lunch is provided for this event. Don’t forget to bring your Bibles! | | Christ Church Cares Day is Saturday, September 19! Our CCUM church family will spend the day serving our neighbors at multiple sites across Louisville. We'll have offsite and onsite opportunities for all ages to serve. In particular, we invite all VBS families to join us in packing hygiene kits for UMCOR, funded by the money YOU raised during this year’s Vacation Bible School. You can sign up here! | | |
You may have noticed digital check-in kiosks stationed around the church. We have been testing these kiosks to ensure a smooth check-in process for families, keeping our kids safer and eliminating the need to check children in at multiple locations. These kiosks have been optional, but encouraged, and staffed by warm and knowledgeable greeters who are glad to answer any questions you might have about the check-in process.
Beginning September 20th, we will be eliminating paper check-in, moving entirely to the digital kiosks. Digital check-in is for all children, whether they are attending toddler Faith Formation or K-2nd Children’s Worship.
A Note for 5th Grade Families
5th graders are no longer permitted to self-dismiss. All 5th graders must be picked up by a youth or adult with that child’s Guardian Tag. Guardian Tags are printed each time a child is checked in via a kiosk.
For questions regarding K-5th grade check-in and pickup, contact Max Childers at max@ccum.net. For questions regarding Birth-PreK check-in and pickup, contact Linda Hess at lhess@ccum.net.
| | Trunk or Treat and Community Fun Night is Friday, October 30! We hope you'll join us for this annual fun and festive event. Candy collection bins will be rolled out on September 20. You can sign up to decorate a trunk here! | | Coming Up This Month in Faith Formation | | |
Pre-K's will start with an introduction to the Beginner's Bible and then begin their Creation unit. They will finish the month learning the stories of Noah and the Ark and Abraham and Sarah.
K-5th will be working on a group art piece for the 4th annual Beloved Art Exhibit (September 25-27) in collaboration with A.W.E. Ministry. They will resume their usual fall Faith Formation studies at the end of September.
| | September - October Key Verse Memorization | | |
Every two months, our K-5th graders are invited to memorize a new Scripture verse which ties into their Faith Formation study for the month. This verse can be recited at any time to one of our Faith Formation leaders for a chance to pull a prize from our treasure chest!
Mark 12:30-31 (The NRSV Children's Bible)
“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these."
| | Children's Ministry Substitutes Needed for All Ages! | | |
Want to hang out with our kids but don’t have a season to commit? No problem! Children’s Ministry is seeking substitutes willing to step in occasionally, depending upon need. In particular, substitutes are needed for our infants-PreK and Children’s Worships rooms.
- Interested in Children’s Worship (grades K-2nd, takes place during 9am-11:15am worship): Contact Max Childers
- Interested in serving with our infants-PreK: Contact Linda Hess
| | Want to help with CCUM Children’s Ministry but don’t feel comfortable in a classroom? No matter what your gifts or interests are, we’re ready to have you on board! We currently have need of volunteers for tasks such as classroom plant care, re-inflating basketballs, and decorating bulletin boards. Reach out to max@ccum.net to get connected. | |
Max Childers
Kindergarten through 5th Grade
max@ccum.net
Linda Hess
PreK
lhess@ccum.net
Mechele McMillen
Nursery and Childcare
childcare@ccum.net
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