Children
From the Nursery to Confirmation ...
Our ministries to children include a variety of programs. A year-round daycare center serves some 150 children in the community Monday thru Firday. Our dynamic preschool program prepares some 60 children for entrance into public or private schooling.
Every summer we hold a Vacation Bible School (VBS) during the morning hours for one week. VBS serves children in the day care center as well as members. We also encourage our children in the areas of music and drama, offering two choirs - Cherub and Canterbury - where children can grow in their love of God and their ability to "make a joyful noise" to the Lord ... and to the delight of their parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles.
Our Sunday School (from the crib until they are confirmed and enter the youth program) takes our vows to nurture our children in the faith seriously, and is staffed by loving and talented volunteers.
Sunday School Curriculum
Our children's Sunday School curriculum is Rock Solid - a comprehensive curriculum that takes children through the Bible in a 3-year cycle that corresponds to the Revised Common Lectionary. The activites are great fun for teachers and student alike. The I Am Rock Solid website has tools and ideas for teachers, training webinars, parent information, and even a great place for games, puzzles and activites for children called The Hang Out.
If you are a teacher you may also want to learn more about reaching. children with different learning styles.
The Rock Solid curriculum allows ample time for internalizing keep concepts while in age-appropriate ways. You are invited to view the curriculum for the Fall (Sept. - Nov,) 2010-2011.
Confirmation
Know Your Story...
Encounter the faith narrative from creation to Christianity.
Confirm Your Faith...
Embrace the essential beliefs and practices of The United Methodist Church.
Live Your Commitment.
Embody the confirmation vows and embark on the Christian discipleship journey.
When our children move from the children's ministry area to youth, there is a period of transition and preparation. Children in the 6th grade feel they are "too old" for children's activities, but are not yet mature enough to participate with the youth. They are ready to know more, take on more responsibility, and yet are not yet able to do many of these things. Confirmation prepares them to take their faith to the next 
level as they grow in their discipleship.
We believe that because God is the saving force represented in baptism, infants as well as older individuals are appropriate candidates for baptism. We do not literally remember our infant baptisms, so as a child reaches the ages of reason and responsibility, it is appropriate to give them opportunity to affirm (or confirm) the vows made on their behalf when they were infants, and to take the next steps in their lifelong journey of discipleship.
Confirmation is the term for this program and the rite of the church that celebrates a young person's decision to make those vows for themselves. Confirming our faith is, however, a lifelong process. It does not end with the confirmation ritual, but that ritual is a symbol of their acceptance and commitment to the journey, and an affirmation of our salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
On their Journey and Learning
At this time we use the new "Credo" curriculum published by Cokesbury. The Credo website is full of information for confirmations, parents, teachers, mentors, and anyone interested in the process of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. There are many free downloads so you do not have to be limited to the printed materials, or just learn in the class room. Click on scope and sequence to learn more about this curriculum
During this time confirmands continue to participate in the Order of St. George, and also have their first opportunties to go away together for spiritual retreats and various field trips to other denominations and communities of faith in addition to museums and other educational opportunities.
