Smyrna First United Methodist Church

Children

SUNDAY MORNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN

Children’s Moments

Children’s Moments is a special time for children where they come to the front of the Sanctuary for a brief message just for them. It is offered at the 8:45 and 11:00 am services. After Children’s Moments, children ages 4 through 3rd grade are dismissed with volunteers to Extended Session (ages Pre-K and Kindergarten) and Children’s Church (ages 1st -3rd grade EXCEPT the 1st Sunday of the month when they stay to worship with their families and take Communion together).

Extended Session

After Children’s Moments during the 8:45 and 11:00 am services, preschool children in Pre-K and Kindergarten are dismissed to the Panda Room (downstairs, Education Building) where they have supervised fellowship and play time. Children whose families attend the 9:00 am service are encouraged to take their Pre-K/Kinergarten aged children directly to the Panda Room before the start of the service for Extended Session.

Children’s Church

Children’s Church is offered for 1st through 3rd graders every week except the first Sunday of the month. At the 8:45 and 11 am services, the children are dismissed to the Children’s Church Room (Room 209, upstairs, back Education Building) after Children’s Moments. Parents attending the 9am service are asked to take their children to Children’s Church BEFORE the 9am service begins. Children’s Church is a fun, interactive, DVD based curriculum led by dedicated volunteers.

Children’s Worship Bulletins (in two age categories) are available at all three services.

Children’s Sunday School

We have a Children’s Sunday School Class for each age, beginning with 2 year olds through 6th grade. Beginning at age 3 years, we use the Live BIG (Believing In God) Cokesbury Curriculum.. Classes meet weekly from 10:00-10:50 am and classrooms are designated by blue and yellow banners; however, the room numbers are as follows:

(Ages 2 Years through 1st Grade are all on the Lower Floor, Back Education Building)

2 Year Olds Room 111 – Bunny Class
3 Year Olds Room 112 – Chimp Class
4 Year Olds Room 306 – Giraffe Class
K/Pre-1st Room 102 – Zebra Class
1st Grade Room 103 – Kangaroo Class

(Grades 2nd through 6th are all located on the Upper Floor, Back Education Building)

2nd Grade Room 202
3rd Grade Room 203
4th Grade Room 204
5th Grade Room 208
6th Grade Room 212

SCHOOL YEAR OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN & STUDENTS

Children’s Music

As a parent, one of the greatest gifts we can give to our children is to teach them of God’s love and grace through music. Encourage your child to be a part of one our friendly and exciting children’s choirs. Everyone has the ability to sing and we strive to nurture each and every child as they grow through our music ministry. We are pleased to offer 4 graded children’s choirs, they rehearse Wednesdays, 5:15-6pm.

Cherub Choir - 4K This choir, led by Lynn Dee Martin, Director of Music and the Arts, is comprised the youngest of the graded choirs the 4-year olds. This group meets sitting in a circle singing songs with lots of movement. Songs they sing maybe from VBS, Sunday School, hymnsand just good old standards such as “ Jesus Loves Me” and and “Jesus Loves the Little Children”.

Sonshine Singers - 5K - 1st grade. This fun group is led by Elisabeth Lovas, Music Ministry Volunteer. They are taught by rote and learn the joy of singing and praising God, through songs, dance and games. Our goal is to have the children so comfortable with singing that joy “beams”. This choir will sing 2-3 times a year in church services,and Christmas and Spring performances

HIS Kids - 2nd -3rd Grade - This group is led by Barbara Kincaid, our church pianist. Barbara ‘s description if HIS Kids is the following: “it is our goal to; learn some musical notations and harmony, sing for special church services, present Christmas and spring programs and to grow, both musically and spiritually. Most importantly, we express our faith and enthusiasm for God in song!”

Tomorrow’s Promise - 4th -6th Grade - is led by Kim Duggins, Director of Youth and Children’s Music and Jan Robertson, Music Ministry Volunteer. This group focuses on the meaning of the text (both biblically and scripturally based) of the music they sing. The lessons we sing about in choir can be used in our everyday lives. The children are also given instruction on how to read 2- part choral music as well as vocal instruction. This group prepares 2 musicals a year one at Christmas and in the Spring. Many times this is a student’s first opportunity to speak in public or sing a solo. The musicals provide students with confidence to sing and speak in front of people in a loving Christian environment. (no child however is ever made to speak or sing a solo, only if it is what they want). All of this is accomplished from the perspective that serving Jesus is fullfilling and fun.

Joyful Ringers - Hand Bell Choir. Grades 4-6th. Wednesdays 4:30 -5:10 pm.
This group has beginners through intermediate ringers. Each child is taught music notation and which bell to ring. Performances occur in conjunction with the Christmas and Spring performances of Sonshine Singers and HIS Kids. What a great opportunity to be apart of an instrumental ensemble. Lynn Dee Martin, Director of Music and the Arts, is the leader of this group.

Youth ROC (Reaching Out for Christ).

Youth ROC is an energetic group of current 5th and 6th graders who meet most weeks during the school year in the Fellowship Hall from 4:30-6:00 pm for a time of fun, fellowship, snack and devotion. Parents sign up to provide individually wrapped snacks and self-contained drinks each week on a rotational basis. We have a dedicated group of volunteers who sponsor this great group. Youth ROC offers lock-ins and often has 1-2 retreats during the year. Advertisements and event dates can be found in First News or notes home to participants. Recruitment for the next year takes place in Sunday School at the end of the school year. All are welcome—the only requirement is that each participant have a current Medical Consent Form on file. Also, tennis shoes are highly recommended/encouraged for this fast-paced group.

Current 4th graders are invited to join this fun group in January as our 6th graders begin the Confirmation process. Again, the only requirement to participate is to have a completed Medical Consent Form on file. Download the Medical Consent Form.

SEASONAL OFFERINGS FOR CHILDREN AND STUDENTS

Seasonal Celebrations

Seasonal Celebrations include but are not limited to: Epiphany Party, Easter Egg Hunt, Promotion Commotion, Children’s Sabbath, Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat, Hands on Christmas and Birthday Party for Jesus. Please check our First News publication or our website for dates and details!

Summer Camp Program

Each summer we offer 5-6 weeks of half day (9am-12noon) themed camps with walk-in drop off beginning at 8:45 am daily and pick up between 11:45am-12 noon. Each week is specifically designed for children ages Rising 3 years through Rising 2nd grade. (This means they will be the respective age/grade by Sept. 1 that year.) On-line registration begins in February each year and runs through most of May, at which time we offer spaces based on availability. We have amazing fun themes, activities and staff! You may register for as many weeks as you like by clicking on the links below.

Rising 3 Year Olds Camps - To Registration Click here

5 Day Summer Camps - To Registration Click here

(For Children ages Rising 4 year olds through Rising 2^nd Graders)

Vacation Bible School

Each year we host a Christ-centered, fun-filled week of Vacation Bible School (VBS) for children ages Rising 4 year olds (meaning they are 4 years old on or before September 1 that year) through Rising 6th grade. Our Rising 4 year olds through Rising 4th graders will participate in a more traditional VBS, while our Rising 5th and 6th graders join our Student Ministries staff for Extreme VBS. There is no charge for children to participate in VBS; however, pre-registration is required on-line and is subject to cutoff dates based on enrollment. Donations are cheerfully accepted to defray the cost.

Step Right Up for the EVERYWHERE FUN FAIR!

Step right up and let’s get ready for the Everywhere Fun Fair: Where God’s World Comes Together! It’s the VBS adventure for this year offering a carnival-type celebration combined with the look and feel of a world’s fair. Children will experience the love of Jesus, meet welcoming neighbors from the Bible, and explore the everyday life of neighbors from Japan, Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Mexico as they discover that God’s love can be found everywhere, even in their own neighborhoods.

VBS 2013: Everywhere Fun Fair - To Register Click here

Xtreme VBS (For Rising 5^th & 6^th Graders) - To Register Click here

Hands on Christmas

Hands on Christmas is a perennial favorite each year for kids ages 2 to 102! It is a holiday arts and crafts festival, held from 10am - 2pm on the second Saturday in November each year. Children, with their adult helper, create amazing, high quality, homemade crafts and keepsakes. In addition to the craft festival, there is also a spectacular Holiday Gift Mart filled with high quality crafts and gifts made by local artisans as well as a Silent Auction filled with gifts, goodies and treats from local businesses and service providers. This year's Hands on Christmas is Saturday, November 10th. Mark your calendars now so you don’t miss out!

MOTHERS OF PRESCHOOLERS (MOPS)....

We host a very active, growing group of Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) here at SFUMC. Smyrna First MOPS offers fellowship with other mothers of children age birth through Kindergarten, a light meal, small group discussions, presentations from guest speakers, and a craft. Childcare is provided during the meetings. Members will be supported with resources carefully selected to encourage spiritual and personal growth.

Membership is limited by nursery space, and two groups are available to meet the growing need of our church. For more information visit www.smyrnafirstmops.com. To join the Monday morning group (meeting bi-monthly), contact smyrnafirstmops@gmail.com. To join the Wednesday evening group (meeting once monthly), contact smyrnafirstmopsnight@gmail.com.

SCOUTING PROGRAM

The church hosts many dynamic troops for boys and girls of all ages to participate in scouting. Both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts meet on Tuesday evenings. Cub Scouts meet at 7:00 p.m. and Boy Scouts meet at 7:30 p.m. When visiting a Scout meeting please enter the church through the double red doors at the rear of the church. Girl Scout units meet through the week. For more information please contact the Scouting Coordinator through the church office.

NURSERY

During our three Sunday Morning Worship Services (8:45a.m., 8:55a.m. & 11a.m.), we provide excellent care by trained Nursery Caregivers for children birth to 3 years of age.

Age
Crib Nursery:
Newborn to 5 months

Toddler Nursery:
6 – 17 months, Older 1’s Year
Nursery (18-24 months)

2 Year Nursery & Sunday School

3 Year Nursery & Sunday School

Location
Room 306 Sanctuary Bldg. and
Room 308 Sanctuary Bldg.

Room 114
Lamb Room Education Bldg.

Room 111
Bunny Room Education Bldg.

Room 112
Chimp Room Education Bldg.

We do realize that small children mature differently; therefore, there is a little room for movement before the child reaches the 2 year old class. At age 2 years (by September 1st, we would like for them to be with the correct age group so that they may grow up in the faith together and share similar experiences.

Scheduling a Nursery
Use of the nursery facility must be approved by the Director of Nursery. When using the nursery, there must be at least two staff caregivers present, as we are a Safe Sanctuary Church. The child/caregiver ratio is based on age and will be determined by the Director of Nursery.

The use of the nursery should be scheduled at least two weeks prior to the event. Groups requesting the nursery should do so by submitting a request form to the Director of Nursery. Download a Nursery Request Form.

If your event is not a church-sponsored function, the Director of Nursery will calculate the cost of the nursery care and provide you with an invoice.

Parent's Morning Out

Our Parent's Morning Out program runs from August through May, mostly with the Cobb County School Calendar. Each year in January we have designated days for both church members and members of the community to register for the upcoming school year. We offer three rooms: an Infant Room for enrolled children ages 6 weeks -12 months old, a Toddler Room (ages 13 months to 18 months) and a Toddler Room (ages 19 months to 24 months.) Our program is run 4 days a week. Tuesday – Friday All ages are based on the child's age on September 1st of this year. Children who will be 2 years of age on September 1st do not qualify for our program; instead, they can register for our Preschool Program for the upcoming school year, including the calendar on the last page.

For additional information on our PMO Program, please contact Tara Carr, Director of Nursery Ministries at tcarr@smyrnafumc.org.

PMO Mission Statement

PMO Agreement

PMO Calendar

PMO Application

PMO Student Registration Letter

PMO Tuition

PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN CLASS

Preschool/Kindergarten

OPEN HOUSE

2013 – 2014 School year

Sunday, February 3^rd, 2013, 2:00 in the Sanctuary

Smyrna First United Methodist Preschool/Kindergarten has been serving young children and their families since 1969. The program is a ministry of Smyrna First United Methodist Church and is operated as a part of the Church’s educational program.

We believe that our responsibility as a Church-sponsored school is to provide a program that will foster development of the whole child : emotionally, intellectually, socially, physically, and spiritually.

We have a dedicated and well trained staff who love children and feel called to serve God through teaching His children. All staff members participate in a continuous program of in-service education in order to further their knowledge and to remain alert to the needs of our children. The school is certified as a School of Excellence by the North Georgia Preschool Association.

We offer classes for children who are age two on or before September 1st of the current school year through five years old. Our curriculum provides age appropriate activities and learning experiences that foster success, independence, confidence and a love of learning. Our goal is that our children leave our program secure in the love of God and with the necessary skills to be successful in “big school”.

For more information, contact us at 770-438-1950.