A Ministry of First Presbyterian Church Gastonia Family Handbook and Events Calendar for 2016 2017
Dear Families, First Presbyterian Church is pleased that you have chosen to par cipate in FIRST KIDZ Children s Ministry for the 2016 2017 year. At First Presbyterian Church Gastonia the children and families ministry focuses on crea ng a place of belonging; a place where children are called by name; a place where discipleship and a love of God and neighbor are nurtured. As church and family, we have a unique focus on the bap smal covenant, partnering with parents as their children grow, and suppor ng families in their ministry as parents. We celebrate the milestones of faith in the life of our families and give them opportuni es to find their place in God s story. We seek to teach and model our faith in a way that facilitates our children s discovery of what Chris anity really is in rela onship to God, ourselves and others. Please read this handbook carefully. This handbook is provided to you to assist you in planning the year with your family and being aware of the upcoming happenings at the church. On occasion addi onal ac vi es may be added, please be certain to fill out and return the parent informa on sheet so that you can be no fied. Our programs at First Presbyterian Church are open to all children of church members, friends, guests and visitors. We gladly welcome new par cipants to our programs. Come join us in faith, fellowship, and fun! Jill B. Kimbirl Director of Children s Ministry
In Worship Children are encouraged to worship with their parents in the pews each Sunday morning. Children s bulle ns are provided to aid in focusing them on the lessons and message given. These bulle ns have games and ac vi es inten onally picked to follow the Gospel or Old Testament lesson, are divided into readers and non readers. There is even a special code to take home and interact with games at home. A nursery is provided for infants from birth to age 4 during Sunday school and during the Sunday morning worship services. We also provide a nursery at other events and services as required. Professional staff and parent volunteers provide quality care. Children s Church is available to children following A Time for Young Disciples. Children K 3rd grade will head downstairs for a lesson and worship educa on class. In Educa on..during the school year Sunday school is offered for children ages 3 & 4 and K 5th grades. Our Sunday school curriculum for 2016 2017 for 3 s, 4 s and K 3rd grade is Deep Blue A Weekly Adventure through the Bible. Deep Blue includes exci ng stories, science experiments, arts and cra s, animated video storytelling, and ac ve games all combined into a living faith experience that will help children discover what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ! Our 4th and 5th graders will be studying the New Testament this year from the We Believe The Bible The Story of God s Faithfulness. This survey course of the New Testament is specially designed for older children and younger youth. The goal is to present God to them in such a way that they learn of and experience this God, who becomes human just for us.
In Fellowship...The building of Christ centered rela onships with others is vital to the spiritual development of our children. Opportuni es for fellowship build friendship and bonds that will last their en re lives. First Kidz offers a variety of opportuni es for fellowship, fun and faith. One such offering is First Kidz on Wednesday evenings. During the school year on Wednesday evenings the children meet along with our families for a meal together and fun ac vi es to follow that build up friendships and enrich Chris an character. Children s Wednesday night fellowships begin in September and Adults and Families fellowship suppers begin in October. In Service..As disciples of Jesus Christ, our children are developing empathy and compassion for others. Service opportuni es are embedded in our events and ac vi es throughout the year allowing their par cipa on in order to develop servant hearts. Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs. Matthew 19:14 A Covenant for All Our Children We Believe..God created the heaven and the earth and all that is seen and unseen. Children are part of this creation. Through one baptism we are all members of one holy catholic church. We take these vows on behalf of our children. God sent his only son Jesus Christ our Lord to all for the forgiveness of sins and we acknowledge this. We celebrate the Lord s Supper in remembrance of Christ s suffering and death on the cross. This supper is for all of the body of Christ including our children for the forgiveness of sins.
Our Children s Ministries will reflect these beliefs in the following ways: We will shape our children s identity. Children will know that they are created, and valued by God. Children will know that through this act of creation that they are loved. We will honor our baptism vows to our children. Children will know that they are claimed by water and sealed by the cross of Christ through Baptism. Children will be embraced as important members of the community of believers. Children will be given a voice within the community of believers. Children will find a safe, secure and trusting environment in which to explore their faith. We will invite our children to partake of the Lord s Supper. Children will know who Jesus was and is. They will be encouraged to develop a relationship with Jesus as an equal member of the body of Christ. Children will respond to Christ s Good News of grace through corporate worship and forgiveness. Children will know that they are Disciples of Christ and called to love neighbor as self and understand their role as stewards. We will live into this covenant by doing the following. Teach the stories and history of our faith and the church including baptism and the Lord s Supper. Pray for and with our children as advocates for them as they grow in faith. Encourage our children to serve within the com munity of believers and during worship. Advocate for our children until they can speak for themselves within the church governance. Encourage our children to understand their role as stewards through service and mission.
Our Expecta ons of our families You will read this en re handbook carefully and contact us should you have any concerns or ques ons. It is designed to provide you with important informa on regarding First Kidz. You will come to us with posi ve feedback and construc ve cri cism. You will let us know if there is something in par cular that you want us to know about your child. If they are having a difficult me or have an extracurricular ac vity we might a end. Our Expecta ons from everyone We expect that everyone involved in First Kidz will li up in prayer the program and any par cipants, families, youth, and adult leaders. We expect that while a ending First Kidz sponsored events that children and adults will be respec ul of all people and all property, have a good a tude, and a willingness to par cipate in all ac vi es offered. We expect all leaders will comply with the Child/Youth Protec on Policy set forth by the Session of the church. If you have not been trained or would like to read said policy, please no fy Jill Kimbirl.
Let s Get Started! Schedule of Ac vi es and Dates to Remember 9/07 First Kidz Meet w/supper 9/11 Sunday School and Children s Church begins 9/14 First Kidz Meet w/supper 9/21 First Kidz Meet w/supper 9/28 First Kidz Meet w/supper 10/02 No Children s Church 10/05 Wednesday Night Alive Kick Off 10/12 Wednesday Night Alive 10/19 Wednesday Night Alive 10/23 Fall Picnic Family Event 10/26 Wednesday Night Alive 11/02 Wednesday Night Alive 11/09 Wednesday Night Alive 11/16 Wednesday Night Alive 12/03 Advent Adventure Mission 12/07 First Kidz Meet w/supper 12/04 Rehearsal for Children s Christmas Pageant 12/11 Rehearsal for Children s Christmas Pageant Christmas Pageant 5 p.m. 12/24 Christmas Eve Service with Family
1/04 Wednesday Night Alive 1/11 Wednesday Night Alive 1/18 Wednesday Night Alive 1/25 Wednesday Night Alive 2/01 Wednesday Night Alive 2/08 Wednesday Night Alive 2/15 Wednesday Night Alive 2/22 Wednesday Night Alive 3/01 Ash Wednesday Service Families 3/08 Wednesday Night Alive 3/15 Wednesday Night Alive 3/22 Wednesday Night Alive 3/29 Wednesday Night Alive 4/05 Wednesday Night Alive 4/09 Palm Sunday Children Process with Psalms 4/15 Eggstravaganza 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 4/15 First Communion at Holy Saturday Vigil 4/16 Easter Sunday! (One Great Hour of Sharing Offering) 4/26 Wednesday Night Alive 5/03 Wednesday Night Alive 5/07 Chris an Educa on Sunday Children Lead Worship 6/19 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL BEGINS!
07/19 Wild & Wacky Wednesdays Trip 07/26 Wild & Wacky Wednesdays Trip 08/09 Wild & Wacky Wednesdays Trip 08/16 Wild & Wacky Wednesdays Trip ***Acolyte Training*** Sunday, January 22nd and Sunday, January 29th Acolyte Training during Sunday school 4th Graders 8th Any child who has not been trained or wants a refresher is welcome these two Sundays 4th graders 8th graders serve as acolytes during the tradi onal worship service.
Journey to the Kingdom of God A Dragon Slaying Adventure Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Dinner at 5:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Music and Play Rehearsal How To Become a Dragon Slayer 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Fall Picnic for All 4:30 p.m. 7:30p.m.
Wednesday Night Alive! October 5th Food, Fellowship & Faith 5:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. $6.00 family $20 Advent Adventure Saturday, December 3rd 9:00 a.m. Noon Stockings for Families
Christmas Pageant Rehearsals: December 4th 3:00 5:00 pm December 11th 3:00 5:00 p.m. Program December 11th 5:00 p.m. 5:45 p.m.
Christmas Day Service Sunday, December 25th Easter Eggstravaganza! Easter Celebration Saturday, March 15th 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Christian Education Sunday The Children Lead Worship By Presenting UnPlugged a musical Offering Sunday, May 7th 11:00 a.m. Worship Service Spring Picnic To Be Announced Stay tuned!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL MONDAY, June 19th Thursday, June 22nd Rising K Rising 5th Graders 5:30 p.m. Dinner 6:00 p.m. 8:15 p.m. Wild and Wacky Wednesdays fun trips for rising 2nd rising 6th graders July 19th, July 26th, Aug 9th, & Aug 16th Destination to Be Determined
NOTES
NOTES
Children s Ministry Members Kate Buckles Chairperson Lenise Melton Caroline Le s Charlie Grissom Judy Thiele Lisa Dent Coleman Efird Jill Kimbirl Staff liaison
First Presbyterian Church 1621 E. Garrison Blvd. Gastonia, NC 28054 (704) 864 2651 www.fpcgastonia.org