Children's Ministries

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At Aldersgate our mission is to make disciples of children through fun, creative ways that make the faith come alive in the hearts and minds of children. Led by Vicki Frick and a host of adult volunteers, Aldersgate is child-friendly church. Check out the ways children can get involved in the descriptions below.

For more information contact Vicki Frick at Vicki@aldersgate-Slidell.org and/or 641-5829 (church office) or 641-0222 (home).

Our Purpose The purpose of Children's Ministries at Aldersgate United Methodist Church is to provide opportunities for children and families to KNOW, GROW, AND GO!

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.

Sunday School meets from 9:30-10:30 a.m. for our children of all ages, even our babies. 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. To find the location of a particular class, please refer to the Yellow Sunday School brochure at one of the information centers at the church.

Confirmation Class 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.

All Stars for Jesus is our NEW Wednesday evening Bible Club program for elementary-age children. We meet from 6-7 pm in the Susanna Wesley Building. We have tons of activities (games, crafts, and hands -on missions) to help us learn scripture- and how it relates to us. We'll earn prizes (T-shirts, pennants, stars, buttons, etc.) as we become All Stars for Jesus!

Nursery Childcare is available for infants through 3 years old on Sunday mornings from 8:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The nursery is located in the Cokesbury building in rooms 201 & 202. Childcare is also available for weekday and evening Bible studies and church meetings. Please check with your group leader to make arrangements. Our certified nursery coordinator is Jamie Barthelemy, and she coordinates a trained staff. She can be reached at 781-2261or at JamieKids@earthlink.net

Children’s Church This ministry is a full hour worship time for children ages 3 through kindergarten at 11 a. m. It is an active and interactive worship time for children. It is a time of learning and growth, and it is a time of preparation for “big church”. Please join us in room 601 in the Susanna Wesley Center.

Children’s Choirs are offered through our Music Department on Sunday evenings from 5:00-6:00. The children are divided into groups according to age/grade.

C.O.O.L (Christ Our Only Light) -5th & 6th Grade

Hallelujah Sounds -3rd & 4th Grade

Joyful Sounds -1st & 2nd Grade

Love Notes -Kindergarten & Pre-K (4's)

Our children's choirs will play an active part in our new Family Night Live worship service on Sunday evenings at 6:00. They will also participate in morning worship at least once each quarter. Choir Time will consist of singing, handchimes, and handbells, and music instruction for all ages. Children are invited to join at any time!

F.O.A.M. (Families On A Mission) is our own version of the "Backyard Bible Clubs." We meet bi-monthly out at Possum Hollow Park. We bring crafts and games, Easter Egg Hunts and hula-hoop contests, or space walks and water balloons. Our purpose is to share our abundant blessings with our neighborhoods in need. Throughout it all, We share His word and His love. Look for flyers and Echo announcements for dates and times.

Fun Times for Friends are parent-planned social activities that give our children time to play and grow together. This creates opportunities for our children's best friends to be their church friends. The age-appropriate events include such activities as swimming, miniature golf, movie and game nights, bowling, trips to the zoo or Six Flags, craft or music days. Look for flyers and postcards throughout the year. parents are encouraged to sign up for a month to plan (real easy). The age groups are:

KidVenture --4th-6th grade

Awesome Outings --K-3rd Grade

FUNday Afternoons -- Preschool & younger

Children in Missions is vital! We are currently using our Sunday School offerings to help fund the new Slidell Habitat build. So far, the children have collected over $2,000. Each nickel counts!

Other Mission Projects include:

Collecting school supplies for K-Bar-B Youth Ranch

Mini-Vacation Bible School for Rainbow Childcare

Collecting socks for the Methodist Children's Home

Adopting a family at Thanksgiving and Christmas

Visiting Azalea Estates (singing, Bingo, crafts)

Collecting Winter Coats for Comm. Christian Concern

Newspaper Recycle Drive

Need to contact us? Director of Children's Ministries, Vicki Frick at 641-5829 (church) or 641-0222 (home). Vicki@aldersgate-Slidell.org

Nursery Coordinator Jamie Barthelemy, jamiekids@earthlink.net

Children's Leadership Team: Susan Alexander--billkids2@yahoo.com

Cylinda Barron--ccbarron@bellsouth.net

Cheryl Krey--ckrey223@aol.com

Joanie Scheuerman--Jscheuerman@fhhlc.com

Mothers Day Out & The Apple Tree Preschool is for ages 18 months through pre-kindergarten. These ministries run in conjunction with Aldersgate & operate during the school year. The director is Barbara Risbourg (641-0184).