Children
Wesley Church partners with parents in their children’s faith formation. We offer children many opportunities to become aware of God’s presence in their lives and respond in gratitude and service. Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and Mosaics help children to hear the sacred stories of God’s faithfulness and learn to follow Jesus’ teachings. Spiritual disciplines such as prayer and active ministry are key components of all our programs. The high commitment of our parents and other volunteers that comprise our teaching teams allows us to offer each child a safe, warm and welcoming environment.
Child Care
Special care is given to provide a clean and safe place for our youngest guests. Infants and children are welcomed Sunday morning by a consistent paid staff and volunteers. During weekday church meetings, childcare is arranged as needed. Connect with Keranie.
Infants (up to 18 months):
Childcare is available on Sundays all morning long in the Nursery, Room 201.
Children 18 months and older:
During both the 8:45 a.m. Communion Celebration and the 10:45 a.m. Traditional Celebration Services, childcare is available in Room 202. During Sunday School at 9:45 a.m., these children are invited to participate in their own age appropriate Sunday School class.
Children 4 years old through Fifth Grade:
During the 10:45 a.m. Celebration Service, these children are invited to Celebration Too!
The Parlor, to the side of the Sanctuary, is available for parents and children. The Celebration Service can be seen, sound is piped in and children have a little more room to wiggle.
Sunday School
At 9:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings, Wesley Church provides a safe, welcoming and nurturing place for all children and youth to gather.
- Classrooms are bright and inviting
- A team of caring teachers welcomes your child
- Teachers introduce stories from the Bible in ways children can understand them
- Interactive curriculum nurtures Christian faith
- All children are respected and valued in a diverse community
Teams of teachers work and play with children during the education hour. Toddlers through high school students learn in a rich environment provided by caring teachers. More than 100 children are registered in our Sunday School program. Connect with Sue.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is a major event in the annual life of Wesley Church. Each summer more than 100 children gather for five mornings in July during the full week after the 4th of July weekend. The children learn what it means to allow their faith to form their lives. Through prayer, games, music, stories, art and mission projects, children grow in their relationship with God. Children sing for the congregation at VBS Sunday on the Sunday following the program. Connect with Sue.
Music For Children
GlockenChor is a beginner’s chime choir for children in Second through Sixth Grade. We explore all the elements of a “ringing choir” in a simplistic and fun manner. There is no need to have a music background before participating in this group. It meets in the Music Room on Sunday mornings from September through April.
KinderChor is a vocal choir for children ages Pre-K through Sixth Grade. Choir practices are full of fun learning times as the children sing or ring the tunes and explore the meaning of the words. It meets in the Music Room on Sunday mornings at from September through April.
Both choirs provide an opportunity for the Wesley Church children to take an active role in Celebration Services on a regular basis. The children perform approximately once each month.
Connect with Heather.
Safety Procedures
Wesley Church ensures the safety of all our members and guests, especially our children and youth. Our policies provide for background screening, interviews and training for volunteers and paid staff who work with children or youth. Teaching teams provide for multiple adults in each Sunday School room and at every event. Connect with Sue.
Wesley Wiggles
Moms and others who care for children are invited to a time of fellowship at 9:30 a.m. on Friday mornings. Each week we gather to discuss a different aspect of parenting. You can come every Friday; you can come occasionally. We’re especially happy to see you the first time you come! A donation is asked for people using childcare. Connect with Dawn.
Celebration Too!
Children age 4 through Fifth Grade are invited to Celebration Too!, a hands-on exploration of the meaning of celebration and Bible stories during the 10:45 am Traditional Celebration. Children learn by doing. They hear a retelling of a Bible story, followed by fun activities to reinforce the story’s meaning. We use Cokesbury’s Bible Zone curriculum. Children are dismissed to go to Celebration Too! after the prayer for illumination. Celebration Too! meets in Room 302, where parents can pick them up at the end of the service. Connect with Sue.
Mosaics
Occasionally, during the Seasons of the Church Year, programs and events are offered for individuals and families to grow in faith and understanding of, for instance, Advent or Lent. Connect with Bill A or connect with Sue.