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 during the program year (September - May), such as:
Sunday morning church school, which includes Children & Worship for children prekindergarten to first grade, Creation Station for elementary school-age children; and the Milestones of Faith development classes.
Music & More Week (M&M Week) is our summer musical day camp experience for children who are currently enrolled in kindergarten through fifth grade. Having been in existence for 20 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 this special musical camp. 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
M&M Week is June 25-29, 2012. This year, the theme is Jonah: A Very Fishy Musical. Register here!
Program Year 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 2006 (including children born in 2005 if not in kindergarten) in Room 202.
11:00 a.m.
Children born in 2010-2011 and non-walkers in Room 206. Nursery care is provided for our youngest children.
Children born in 2009-2010 (1 & 2 yr. olds and walking) in Room 202 (one year olds) and Room 204 (two year olds). 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 2008 (3 yr. olds) in Room 203. Using a new curriculum, children will learn Bible stories through songs, games, art and center activities. Children will also be provided snack and time for free play. Each week children will bring home a leaflet, which will allow parents the opportunity to talk about the lessons with the child afterwards.
Children born in 2006-2007 & not in kindergarten (4 yr. olds) in Room 205. Children in this class will experience the Children & Worship program (see the following description).
Creation Station (Kindergarten through 5th Grade)
On Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m., children in Kindergarten through 5th 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.
Sign Up to Volunteer in Creation Station!
Enjoy our elementary age children as we learn Bible stories through small and large group discussion, games, science, media, and the arts. We are seeking substitutes to help teach or shepherd on an as-needed basis.
Interested? Have questions? Contact Sarah Hoffman at shoffman@wpc-alex.org
Milestones of Faith Development
(elementary-age children and parents)
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 graders
Communication Education - 1st and 2nd graders
How to Use my Bible - 3rd and 4th graders
The Meaning of Baptism - 4th and 5th graders
The Lord's Prayer - 2nd and 3rd graders
