The goal of Christian education for children is to
educate them in the Christian faith and life;
teach them to understand the Bible and the traditions of our faith;
show them how to relate this understanding to their lives.
welcome them into a loving, safe place as part of the church family.
This is achieved through a variety of means, such as Sunday morning church school, which includes Children & Worship for children prekindergarten to first grade, Creation Stationfor elementary school-age children; the Milestones of Faith development classes; and M&M Week ( "Music & More"), a musical camp held in the summer.
Our current schedule runs Sunday mornings as noted from September 13, 2009 through May 17, 2009.
Special Events for Children & Families
Pageant and Congregational Dinner Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 5 p.m. All children are invited to participate in this year's pageant. Children interested in participating should sign up online or outside of Creation Station. Parts are assigned according to grade, with 4th graders in major roles (chosen by lottery), and 5th graders as readers. This is a wonderful event for everyone—please plan on making it a part of your Christmas season! Participants are asked to be at a Saturday rehearsal from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary and to arrive by 4 o’clock on the day of the pageant.
Palm Sunday Donkey Processional March 28, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.
Childcare and Classes for Prekindergarten Children
(birth to age 5)
8:45 a.m. Nursery for all prekindergarten children in Room 206
9:45 a.m.
Nursery and childcare for preschool children born since 2005 (including children born in 2004 if not in kindergarten) in Room 202.
11:00 a.m.
Children born in 2008-2009 and non-walkers in Room 206. Nursery care is provided for our youngest children.
Children born in 2007-2008 (1 & 2 yr. olds and walking) in Room 204. These children learn of God's love for them, experience the church as a welcoming place where they can make friends, choose toys to enjoy, do simple art work, sing songs, listen to stories, hear prayers and pray, and sit together for a snack.
Children born in 2006 (3 yr. olds) in Room 203. Children in this class will experience the Children & Worship program. Children & Worship is a Montessori-based, storytelling approach to teaching children the Bible stories in a Reformed worship setting.
Children born in 2004-2005 & not in kindergarten (4 yr. olds) in Room 205. Children in this class will experience the Children & Worship program (see above).
On Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m., children ages kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to participate in Creation Station, our workshop rotation model. Workshops will take place in our different theme-decorated rooms learning about the topic of each rotation: Paradise Players (multi media, drama, puppets), gARTen ART (art studio), A Byte of the Apple (computer lab), East of Eden (geography), Garden of Eatin' (kitchen/science) and The Seventh Day (storytelling).
Children experience the stories and themes in stimulating, multi-dimensional environments.
Each topic is taught in 3 - 5 week rotation.
Classes rotate into a different workshop each week to learn the same lesson in a variety of ways.
Creation Station is designed to reach children through different learning styles so that they can remember the Bible stories and have the values and faith principles from the stories become part of who they are as persons of faith.
Our theme for this year 2009-2010 is INTO THE BIBLE. The topics for our seven rotations are:
How the Bible Came to be September 20, 27, October 4
In these classes children in kindergarten through fifth grade learn and experience elements of our Reformed faith to aid them on their faith journey and to assist their parents in helping them. All classes begin at 9:45 a.m. Upon completion, they receive a certificate. These include:
Bible Presentations
3rd and 4th graders, September 20, 2009
Communion Education
1st and 2nd graders, September 27, 2009
How to use my Bible
3rd and 4th graders, October 11 & November 22, 2009 and January 24 & February 28, 2010
The meaning of Baptism
4th and 5th graders, January 10, 2010
The Lord's Prayer
2nd and 3rd graders, March 21, 2010
(Check the Chronicle and Sunday bulletin for location as dates draw near.)
Save the Date: Music & More Week!!! August 23 - 27, 2010. Children K-5th grade are invited to experience our unique summer program. Details to follow!
Music & More is our summer musical day camp experience for children having completed kindergarten through fifth grade. Having been in existence for 18 years, M&M Week is a popular activity for Westminster children.
Casey FitzGerald, Associate Pastor for Children & Families, and Paul Stetsenko, Director of Music Ministries, lead M & M week. Many volunteers and parents also teach and assist. Space is limited to 40 children. Priority will be given to church members, but friends are invited to sign up as space permits.
Some activities included in M&M Week are:
Singing
Drama
Storytelling
Arts and Crafts
Snacks
Recreation and Games
For further information about our Children’s Ministry, contact: Casey W. FitzGerald, Associate Pastor for Children and Families, at 703-549-4766, ext. 131.
