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CHILDREN'S  MINISTRIES

at

EDEN   PRAIRIE

 UNITED  METHODIST  CHURCH

Empowered by God's love, we are a community of Christ's disciples, centered in worship and fellowship with:

OPEN HEARTS to live and serve with compassion and to share God's love

OPEN MINDS to seek spiritual formation and encourage each person's faith journey

OPEN DOORS to invite and welcome all to join in discipleship

                                                                                                                                                        Jesus said, “Let the children come to me…”  Matthew 19:14     

      Children were important to Jesus and they are important to our church family. 

HOME

WORSHIP TIMES & STAFF

Sunday Morning Schedule:

SCHOOL YEAR – (Kick-Off Sunday in September to Memorial Sunday)

Two Services:  9:00 and 10:30 with Sunday School and child care during each service

SUMMER – (Memorial Sunday through Labor Day weekend)

One service:  9:30 AM with Sunday School (June-July) and child care

For other Sundays during summer, a video is available for part of the service for younger children

N U R S E R Y

Hey, is it naptime yet?

Nursery child care is provided for children (birth to 3½). 

Volunteers, who nurture our children in a loving environment, staff our nursery.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Children begin in church and stay through a children’s time.  After that, preschoolers (3-5 years) are brought to class.  

Children in grades K-6 come to the Fellowship Hall where they are met by shepherds and taken to the station for the day.

During the school year, Sunday School for Kindergarten through 6^th grade is held during each service.  Both Sunday Schools provide the same learning experiences, though the grades are grouped differently each hour.  Our preschool class (3-5 years) is offered during the 9:00 service. 

            Our Sunday School is rotation style.  This is a learning environment where

            a Bible story   is taught for 3-5 weeks, with the children rotating to a different

            learning station each week to learn about the story in a different way.  The 

       stations can include:  Art      Music        Science        

            Games       Kitchen       Computer                            

            Drama     Storytelling     Puppets      and Theater      .     

       For preschool, children stay in the same room, but they also experience            

            the story in different ways in a modified rotation. 

                          Frosting Artist at Work!                                          Who Says Sunday School is Boring??

                                                                                                                      (Back of Puppet Stage, presenting

                                                                                                                              "Angels" during Advent)

Yeah, well we see you too!

This has been a very successful and positive approach to learning, based on multiple intelligences.  In addition, the fact that the story is taught over several weeks, has meant that the retention and understanding of each story by children is much better. 

Sunday School unit – April 27- May 18     

Topic:  Early Church – Body of Christ

Summer Sunday School –  Sundays in June and July  

Theme:  Holidays Throughout the Year

2 classes:  3 - Kindergarten   and    1 - 4^th Grades   

During our one summer service at 9:30 AM

CONNECT   CLUB

This special “club” is for 3^rd and 4^th graders.  We meet twice a month on Wednesday evenings, from 6:30-8:00 (occasionally at other times).  As the name says, we “connect” – to each other, the greater community, God and Christ – through various activities.  We always have fun, learn, and make friends along the way!

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS:

July 14-18 – Vacation Bible School –9:00-12:00 Noon                                                

This year we are going back in time to learn our history!  Our theme is called “J.W. and Company.”  J.W. stands for John Wesley, who is the founder of the Methodist Church.  We will “visit” England and America in the 1700s—learn about John Wesley, his family, and his journey of faith.  In addition, we will also experience everyday life in the 1700s, through many fun and varied activities.  It is always a great week!  Any child aged 3 through 6^th grade is welcome to join us on our travels.  The cost for this fantastic experience is just $25 for one child, $50 for two children or $60 for three or more children from one family.  Scholarships are available—just ask.  Registration forms will be available in the church office after March 1.  Registration deadline is July 1.

Questions may be emailed to:  debs@prairiechurch.org

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