Children and Family
Children's Ministry Mission Statement
Wasatch Presbyterian Church Children’s Ministry strives to provide education, care, fellowship, and service opportunities for children and their families to grow in their faith and relationship with God, through the love of Our Savior Jesus Christ.
Greetings!
For those of you who haven‘t heard or don‘t know me let me introduce myself. My name is Jill Stephenson and I‘ll be the interim Children‘s Ministry Director this year. I previously served WPC as CM Director from 2005-2008 and loved serving Wasatch‘s youngest members and families.
I know you are all extremely tired of the word ‗interim‘, Wasatch has had A LOT of transition over the past few years. But an interim period is a wonderful time to evaluate and create a vision for the future, whether it‘s the whole church or a pro-gram within the church. I will be doing a comprehensive program evaluation of children‘s ministry to see what families want and need so we can hire a permanent director with clear direction and vision. So please be thinking about why your family at-tends Wasatch and how we can fulfill Jesus‘ calling to bring others into our wonderful family of faith.
Wasatch has been blessed with amazing volunteers who faithfully serve to grow our children‘s faith and personal rela-tionship with God through Jesus Christ. I hope you will continue to join me on this great adventure with kids that are full of energy and great questions. The word ‗ministry‘ means ‗to serve‘ so please let me know how we can serve your family and the community at large. Any and all suggestions are welcome, email or call me anytime.
Jill Stephenson
February 2012 Children's Ministry Activities
February 12th: Ready, Set, Sled!
Let’s try to go sledding again. Hopefully there will be snow this time. Mark your calendars for Sunday, Febru-ary 12th for an afternoon of outdoor fun. Bring your fam-ily, friends, and sleds and meet at 2 p.m. at Bonneville Golf Course (Coach Mike’s Tennis Academy parking). We’ll provide hot cocoa/cider and cookies.
Looking Ahead….Mark your calendars !
Feb 12: Ice Skating with youth ministry
Mar 4: Bowling
Mar 18: Ski free after 3
Apr 8: Easter Egg Hunt
May 20: VBS kick-off
June 10-13: Vacation Bible School
June 20th – 22: Highlands Camp for current 3rd & 4th graders
New Opportunities for children Sunday morning
2 & 3 Year Olds - We are now welcoming toddlers ages 18 months and older to join our 2 & 3 year old Sunday School class. This is an informal class for stories, play, snack and time to get to know new friends. Parents are welcome to hang around and make new friends too!
Pre-K and Kindies - We are inviting our pre-K and Kindies class (ages 4 – kindergarten) to join the elementary kids in chapel. They love learning and singing Sunday school songs. This means ALL children ages 4 through 5th grade will begin Sunday school in Praise & Prayer and then will be dismissed to their classes.
Elementary – We are now using the workshop rotation curriculum for 1st – 5th graders. Students will be engaged in active learning on the same Bible Story for 4 weeks through art, science, drama, games, cooking, puppets, theatre, etc. Kids will meet their Shepherds (committed adult volunteers) in Praise & Prayer each week for songs, prayer and offering. Then children are led by their Shepherds to their workshop for the week. Please check the sign outside of Praise & Prayer for workshop locations to pick your child up at 11 am. Wasatch previously used this Sunday school model for 6 years with great success. We hope you will join and support us in this change for children to continue on their journey to know God.
Stewardship Project
On Stewardship Sunday, the elementary children learned about Family Promise, how WPC is involved and how they can help. They also talked about what makes their home special. In doing so, they created "Houses For Change" boxes to help fulfill the needs of others by giving up some of their own wants. They donated part of their allowance and many did extra chores to earn money to put in their boxes. All of the money goes to Family Promise Salt Lake. It helps people go to the doctor, buy furniture when they get a home, buy each person bedding for their weekly church "homes," childcare, etc.
WPC will be hosting Family Promise November 13–20, if you would like to sign up to help, just go to wpcslc.org and click on the "serve" tab, then "Family Promise and follow the instructions.
Sunday School News
Where are you meeting your kids? When Sunday school is over, do your children know where you will find them? Please communicate clearly with your children regarding where you will meet them. Their classroom (or a sibling’s room) is normally the best place. If you choose to meet elsewhere, please let their leaders know. Please note, we will not allow any children under 3rd grade to roam freely without you or an older sibling. If you need special arrangements, we are happy to help.
Children’s Ministry Blackboard
Periodically, the Elementary classes will change classrooms. For the latest Sunday news and upcoming activities please check the Children’s Ministry Info Wall in the main hall near the Tyler Maxwell stained glass window.
Sunday School
Starting in September classes will be held from 10:10 – 11:00 a.m. in the following locations:
Lower Level Classrooms (In the WPC Preschool):
2&3 year-olds: Green Room (# 4)
Pre-K & Kindergartners: Yellow Room (# 5)
Main Level Classrooms:
1st - 6th graders begin with Praise and Prayer starting at 10:00 am in Room 128
1st & 2nd Graders: Room 128
3rd & 4th Graders: Room 126
5th & 6th Graders: Room 131
Please pick up your children on time following Sunday School so teachers and volunteers can go to worship. For your child’s safety and our peace of mind please do not have them ―meet‖ you away from their classroom. If you need to make special arrangements, please talk with Deborah.
Elementary students study a Bible story for 4-6 weeks in workshop rotation classes. They learn stories and their application to Christian life today through art, cooking, drama, games, movies, and computers. 1st – 6th graders begin in the Chapel, level 2, for songs and prayer and then move to various classrooms on the main level for workshop classes. Read more about Children's Sunday School Schedule and Curriculum...
Worship Opportunities
Wasatch offers two distinctly different worship services. The 9:00 am i believe worship offers an intimate, informal, and interactive style that families can participate in together. The 11:15 am Traditional worship offers families a traditional worship style filled with music and message to fill the spirit. Childcare is offered:
During the 9:00 am worship for children 3 and under in Room 130.
During the 11:15 worship for children under 2 in Room 130 and preschool parables for children 2-5 in Room 4 (red room), lower level.
Children also have the opportunity to participate in worship by being an acolyte (candle lighter).Worship activity packets are available for all children and contain various Bible puzzles and coloring pages. They are located at both entrances to the Sanctuary.
Family Fellowship
Establishing a church home is important for families to grow in their faith. Children’s Ministry offers a variety of family activities for forming relationships that last a lifetime. Our Easter Egg Hunt and Advent party provide fun learning activities filled with important messages about God’s love.
We also like to play together—and ice-skating, swimming, bowling, hiking, movie nights, and a Halloween party provide great opportunities to get to know one another.
Vacation Bible School
Join us in June for a family summer evening camp that is FULL of God’s wonder, surprises, and fabulous fun! Families join us for four days of great food, unforgettable music, interactive Bible stories, crafts, and games. Call or email Deborah 801-487-7576 or dparr@wpcslc.org read more...Club 56
Wasatch recognizes the unique needs of preteens and offers programming just for 5th & 6th grade kids. We offer monthly Friday fellowship and fun activities as well as small group opportunities during Sunday school. Kids also get to participate in Highlands, a weeklong Presbyterian summer camp in Estes Park, Colorado.
Special Events
Children’s Ministry also provides special education workshops and acknowledgment throughout the year. Each spring before Easter, second graders are invited to participate in our Sacrament Workshop. Special time and activities help children understand the sacraments of Baptism and Communion. We also offer a worship workshop once a year where children can gain a better understanding of worship and enhance their worship experience.
Third graders at Wasatch enjoy a special Sunday in September when each child is presented with their very own Bible during worship.
Mission and Service Opportunities
We participate locally through Crossroads Urban Center, Abilityfound.org and Service Sunday. Activities include Cans for Kids, Fall Leaf Haul, and blankets and personal hygiene bags for local shelters. We also have participated globally through Operation Kid – to – Kid and the Heifer Foundation.
Wasatch Presbyterian Preschool
Wasatch Presbyterian Church and the Children’s Ministry program seek to serve the greater community through Wasatch Presbyterian Preschool. read more...
