Children
Children’s Ministry Director, Vicki Frick:
WELCOME!
Our doors and our hearts are open to YOU and your family. We invite you to join us for Worship, Sunday School, Sunday and Wednesday evening activities, special events and any of our Summer Programs. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact our Director of Children's Ministries, Vicki Frick, at 985-641-5829 or vicki@aldersgate-slidell.org.
Click HERE for Upcoming Special Events!
Our Purpose
The purpose of Children's Ministries at Aldersgate United Methodist Church is to provide opportunities for children and families to
KNOW -- Planting the seeds of faith in our children through the study of God's Word so that they will come to know--and believe--that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior;
GROW -- Watering and feeding those seeds so that the children may grow spiritually and faithfully, learning to apply God's Word to their daily lives; and
GO -- Spreading the faith and thereby growing God's Kingdom, by sending our children out into the world as witnesses and as disciples for Christ.
Our Values
We value children and families of all ages, shapes and sizes. EVERY child is worthy. EVERY child needs a relationship with Jesus. EVERY child deserves the gifts of grace and salvation offered through Jesus. EVERY child is welcome here at Aldersgate. We are committed to doing EVERYTHING to make EACH and EVERY child feel at home.
YOU are invited to come and grow with us.
Our Ministries
To learn more about what Aldersgate has to offer for children and families, click on the highlighted Ministries below:
Our Classes are divided according to age and grade, with promotion occurring in August (at the start of school). In all classes, we use the United Methodist curriculum, which is designed to take the children through the entire Bible in three years time.
This is a nine-month course (during Sunday School) for 6th graders to prepare for full membership in the church. This course includes thorough study, guest speakers, field trips to area churches of other denominations, lock-ins, 2 overnight retreats and a trip to Alexandria, LA for “Confirmation Day with the Bishop.” This experience teaches the basic beliefs of the Christian faith, and it helps students consider the responsibilities that come with a Profession of Faith and Church Membership. A covenant of commitment is signed at the start of each year.
Children's Church
Children’s Church is a special time of worship designed specifically for children age 3 to 6 year olds who are not quite ready to sit through “Big” church. This is an opportunity to teach our children what Worship is all about. In order to register for Children's Church, please download a copy of our brochure or pick one up in our Sanctuary at any entrance (look for the Children's Church basket).
is our Wednesday evening program for 4th through 6th graders. We meet from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Susanna Wesley Building. The idea is to have a special time set aside just for our BIG kids—those who are sort of in-between the children’s area and our Youth group. We hang out together, share devotions, play games, create and perform skits, do mission projects and basically, just try to figure out what God wants from and for each of us. We could always use more Faith Friends.
Prime Time - (Sunday Evening Program)
What is it? It’s Choir and Friends; it’s Supper and Fellowship; it’s Games and Laughter; it’s Crafts and Smiles; it’s Puppets and Giggles; it’s Worship and Families—Growing in Faith Together! It’s a Prime Time to Connect with your Church Friends and with Your God! It’s all a whole lot of fun and you can join at ANY time. Drop-off for PrimeTime is always in our John Wesley Center and pick-up is (mostly!) from your child's choir practice room. Please note that pick-up time on Family Night Live nights is at 5:55 to allow time for the family to move to the Sanctuary for Worship.
Here’s what we do…..
4:00 C.O.O.L. Handbells* (for 4th, 5th & 6th Graders)
5:00 PrimeTime Activities (for all chidren ages 3 thru 6th grade) - includes crafts, games and more
5:45 Snack Supper (yummy delicious and oh-so-kid-friendly!)
6:00
Children’s Choir (for 3 yr olds thru 6th grade)
Love Notes (3’s-Kindergarten) meet in the New Room
Hallelujah Chorus (1st-3rd) meet in the Bell Room
C.O.O.L. (4th-6th) meet in the Choir Room
Nursery
is available for infants thru 3 years old on Sunday mornings from 8:15-12:15. We also offer regular childcare on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-8:00pm for children through 3rd grade, with age-appropriate activities for these older children. Childcare is also available upon request for weekday and evening Bible studies and church meetings. Please check with your group leader to make arrangements. Our nursery is located in the Otterbein Building (next to Susanna Wesley). Our Nursery Coordinator is Ashlea May and she can be reached through the Church Office or at ashlea0101@yahoo.com.
Children in Worship
Aldersgate United Methodist Church is a very child- and family-friendly church. We offer many ways for our children to participate in Worship:
* Acolytes -- Our 3rd-6th graders are invited to assist with the Worship Service by "carrying in the Light of Christ". An invitation, along with Training Session information, is sent out for new Acolytes at the beginning of each school year. CURRENT SCHEDULE
* Children's Moment -- During most of our traditional Worship Services (8:30), the children are invited to come forward to hear a special message presented by an Adult Volunteer. The children (and the Congregation!) look forward to their special time. CURRENT SCHEDULE
* Children's Choirs -- From time-to-time throughout the school year, our Children's Choirs will help lead Worship. Some guaranteed times include Palm Sunday and the Sunday after Vacation Bible School, but there are many others (watch the Bulletin and Echo).
* FAMILY NIGHT LIVE -- is a special child-focused worship service for families of all shapes and sizes. Not only do our kids drag their parents to church, they actually help lead the Worship Service (as ushers, readers, Communion servers and music leaders). Our service is highly energetic and very casual (come as you are!), all while being faithful and glorifying to God. Join us during the School year at 6:00pm the last Sunday of each month during the school year.
Children in Missions
is vital! Children learn by doing. Therefore, throughout the year, we offer opportunities for our children to learn how to serve. In addition to our Sunday School offerings, which support special mission needs, we also participate in special projects such as:
· collecting suitcases for children in the Foster Care program
· Collecting socks for the Methodist Children’s Home and Community Christian Concern
· Visits to the local nursing homes for “Reverse” Trick-or-Treating and Christmas Caroling
APPLE TREE PRESCHOOL & Little Lambs MDO
Our preschool is offered to children ranging from Young 3's to 5 years of age, with the cut-off date that follows the public school system (September 30th). This is a "school-year" program with a variety of options available, from part-time to full-time (7:30am-4:00pm). Mothers-Day-Out (Little Lambs) is available for toddlers (18 months) to two-year olds on Tuesdays and Thursdays (9:00am-2:30pm). Registration is held in February each year for the following school-year. For more information, please check out the Apple Tree page or call (985) 641-1084.
Dates announced early spring
for 3-yr olds thru 5th graders and tons of Volunteers
Summer program for preschoolers & exiting
Kindergartens, 3 mornings each week (Tues/Wed/Thurs)
Summer daycamp for elementary kids, pick your weeks!!
