Children’s Ministries

    Erin Soza, Director of Children’s Ministries

   esoza@stpaulsumc.com     412-486-7006 x 217

St. Paul’s welcomes children of all ages to experience the love of God through caring adults and a supportive community of faith.

Blessing of the Backpacks

Sunday August 13, 2023
During each worship service students and educators are invited to bring backpacks for a special blessing and prayer to start the new school year.

Communication

E-mail:

• A weekly e-mail is sent every Wednesday from Erin Soza, Director of Children’s Ministries, with detailed information about calendar events and opportunities to be in worship.  If you would like added to the e-mail list, please contact Erin Soza.
• A weekly e-mail is sent every Friday with detailed information about all the ministries at St. Paul’s. Contact Carla Porterfield to be added to the contact list.

Emergency Information Registration

Please register your child’s emergency contact information prior to attending Sunday School, Children’s Church, or  NoMIC.

Registration for Fall 2023-2024 coming Soon.  (Those attending VBS/Arts Camp have an option to save that registration for Fall 2023-2024.)

Wednesday/Friday
Evening Ministries

Wednesday, midweek ministries vary throughout the year.  Reading Circles, special curriculum and holiday season preparations for children are scheduled throughout the year on Wednesday and Friday evenings.

Ministry for Infants and Toddlers: Sunday 

A professionally staffed nursery is available every Sunday morning during each Worship Service, during Sunday Morning Classes and on Wednesday evenings.   See the following guidelines: Church Sunday Morning Church-Nursery-Guidelines, Sick Child Policy, Covid Symptoms and currently St. Paul’s is requiring masks when in the church building for all children age 2 and older. The above guidance may be changed at anytime.

Children’s Message

Most Sunday mornings children are invited forward to the altar steps for a Children’s Message. Children are then dismissed to Children’s Church or returned to their families following the Children’s Message.

NoMIC- Children’s Mission Trips and Projects:

No Mission Impossible Club (NoMIC) This ministry is designed for third thru fifth graders to learn how to be mission minded and share time and talent with others. It is never too early to begin serving others!  Generally, NoMIC has a planning meeting every other Sunday from 3:30-5:30 p.m. with one of the meetings designed to go off-site on a “mission.”  The NoMIC Calendar, NoMIC Event Calendar 2022- 2023  Contact Bob and Cindy White with questions or to help support NoMIC (412-487-1085)

2022-2023 NoMIC Mission Sign-Up Registrations

Volunteering

Our Children’s Ministries rely upon adults who volunteer and share their gifts with children.  Curriculum and training are offered to support adults who lead any of the variety of programs offered.  If you have a heart for children, you’ll undoubtedly grow in your own faith by volunteering to help with the children’s programming.  Please consider offering your talents to help our children grow to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Please contact Erin Soza if you have a gift or time you’d like to share with children at esoza@stpaulsumc.com or 412-486-7006 x217.

Safe Sanctuaries

We practice Safe Sanctuaries guidelines for all adults who work with children and youth.  An hour long training course is part of the requirements for volunteering.  In addition, Act 33/34 criminal and child abuse history is checked.  Those who haven’t lived in PA for a continuous 10 years are also required to get FBI Clearances.  Clearances must be updated every 5 years. Contact Erin Soza if you have questions mail to: esoza@stpaulsumc.com. Our goal is to create a safe, nurturing environment and reduce the risk of child abuse from occurring during St. Paul’s ministries.

Weekday Children’s Ministries

Weekday Children’s Ministries are designed to nurture and care for infants to fifth graders.  All of our programs are certified by the PA Department of Human Services and participate in the Keystone Stars program.

Drop-In Child Care provides a caring environment for infants through five-year olds Monday –Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Hourly rates are charged dependent on age and attendance. Registration is required.

St. Paul’s Preschool provides a learning environment with half-day classes for three through five-year-olds, including a Pre-K program. There is also a modified 2 year-old class.  Preschool is accredited by NAYCE, a nationally renowned preschool accreditation group. Registrations are currently being accepted for the 2021-2022 school year as classes are available. Contact Linda Bagley, Preschool Administrative Assistant 412-486-5591.

Kidz Korner is a before and after school care ministry for Kindergartners through fifth graders.  Children can arrive as early as 6:30 a.m. and can stay until 6 p.m.   Our Kindergarten Enrichment classes are taught by a certified elementary teacher.  Children who attend get a hot lunch and an afternoon full of enrichment activities.  During the summer a full day 6-7 week camp, Kidz Venture, is offered for children entering Kindergarten through entering 5th grade. Complete details are available from Jessica Freeman, Director of Kidz Korner at 412-486-0280.