Children’s Ministries

Erin Soza, Director of Children’s Ministries

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

Children’s Ministry Quick Links

NoMIC Calendar 

Christian Education

Ministry for infants and toddlers:

Nursery Care is available every Sunday morning during worship and the Christian Education hour, as well as, at most church events. Please contact Erin Soza if you have questions about nursery care and availablility, esoza@stpaulsumc.com.

The Weekday Children’s Ministry offers Drop-In Child Care Monday thru Friday during most of the year.

Ministries for Toddlers thru 5th grade

Nursery – A professionally staffed nursery is avavilable for children through the age of 3 each Sunday morning.

Christian Education Classes (2-years-old thru 5th grade) - Christian Eduation Classes are offered from 9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Sunday mornings. Our classrooms are alive with activities that help children learn about how God loves them!  All volunteers leading classes model the accepting love of Christ, as children learn and play together. Children are divided into classes according to age. Each age group has an age appropriate curriculum and yearly class goal.

Children’s Message (all children welcome) – 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 return to their families.

Children’s Church – (3year-olds-K) Children 3-years-old thru Kindergarten are invited and dismissed from worship to attend Children’s Church. A child friendly Bible lesson and prayer is shared during Children’s Church.

Bridge Builders (4-years-old thru 2nd graders) Ministry happens throughout the week for children of all ages.  On Wednesday evenings, children 4 years-old through 2nd grade are invited to attend Bridge Builders. This mid-week ministry gives children the chance to see how the Bible comes to life every day.  Using mission and outreach we link faith to life and put the Bible teachings into action. Evening activities include art, games, stories, and guest visits by adults who share their God given talents and callings.  See the B.B. outline 2011-2012 Contact Erin Soza to volunteer or get additional details (412-486-7006) or esoza@stpaulsumc.com.

Sports League (3^rd-5^th)

No  Mission Impossible Club (NoMIC)(3rd-5th) 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!  Our children’s ministries incorporate reaching out to others in the community throughout the year.  NoMIC has a planning meeting every other Sunday from 3:30-5:30 p.m..  At the following meeting they go on a “mission.”  What a great way to learn how to share the love of Christ with others! See the NoMIC Calendar NoMIC Event Calendar 2011 – 2012 Contact Bob and Cindy White with questions or to help support this mission (412-487-1085)

Cherub Choir(4-years-old thru K) Jubilee Noise Choir (1^st-2^nd) Gloria Choir ( 3^rd-5^th )

Children’s choirs provide opportunities to learn the songs of our faith as well as share their gifts in worship.   Beginning at age four, youngsters learn to praise God with joyful songs!  The Gloria Choir, for 3^rd-5^th graders, learns songs, how to ring handbells, as well as perform drama.

CAT Camp (Creative Arts and Things Camp): June 18- June 22, 2012, Theme not yet determined

VBS (Vacation bible School): July 16-July 20, 2012, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Overboard:Dare to Go Deep with God 

The Weekday Children’s Ministry offers Preschool, Summer Preschool Camp, and Drop-In Child Care.  The Weekday Children’s Ministry also offers Kidz Korner, before and after school care, and Kidz Venture, summer day camp for elemenatry aged children.

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 call Erin Soza if you have a gift or time you’d like to share with children (412-486-7006).  Sherri Schuetz convenes the Children’s Ministry Council which coordinate the children’s ministries visionary planning.

Safe Sanctuary

We practice Safe Sanctuary 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.  Our goal is to create a safe, nurturing environment and reduce the risk of child abuse from occurring during St. Paul’s activities.

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 Welfare and participate in the Keystone Stars program.  Our Preschool has also been accredited by NAYCE, a nationally renowned preschool accreditation group.    Registration materials are available at the Weekday Children’s Ministry Office from Lisa Altimore, 412-486-5591.

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

St. Paul’s Preschool provides a learning environment with half-day classes for two- to five-year-olds, including a Pre-K program.  Children can attend the Ferguson Road Center or McKnight Center, located at McKnight UMC.  Registration begins in November for the following school year and applications are accepted throughout the year as classes are available.

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.  Our mini-school bus takes them to school and will return them to the church in the afternoon.  Children can stay until 6 p.m.   Our Kindergarten Enrichment classes are taught by a certified elementary teacher.  Children who attend morning kindergarten get a hot lunch, a nap, and an afternoon full of enrichment activities.  Complete details are available from Miriam Kirkpatrick, 412-334-8193.

Summers are extra fun at St. Paul’s!  The Drop-in Child Care is available daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m. through July 31.  Our Preschool offers Summer Camp in two week sessions beginning in June.  Kidz Venture provides week-long day camps from 9 a.m. -4 p.m. with an extended care option from 6-8:30 a.m. and/or 4-6 p.m. The summer camp runs through the second week in August.  A Creative Arts  Thing (CAT) Camp is for children entering K-entering sixth grade. Morning classes with professional artists are offered.  Also, there is an optional musical production in the afternoon for 2^nd-6^th graders.  Our fun-filled Vacation Bible School will be in July.  Complete registration information for all summer activities is available from Lisa Altimore 412-486-5591 or in the Communication Centers.