Westminster Presbyterian Church

Nursery care is provided each Sunday morning for infants and toddlers. Cribbery hours change seasonally, so please check the church calendar. A paid cribbery supervisor, along with volunteers who have had a background check, help provide loving care for the children in a safe environment. An area is available for nursing mothers.

Godly Time occurs September through May from 9:00 to 9:55 a.m. for young children two years old up through fourth grade. Families begin worship together in the Sanctuary. After the Time With Our Children, the children may leave for age appropriate worship and learning, which are divided into the following groups:

Godly Care: Two, Three & Four Year Olds
Children begin to develop their spiritual lives and we teach them they are precious children of God. They experience simple worship rituals and learn key stories in the Bible. Each story is told in a lively fashion using colorful felt figures. Children respond through crafts, songs and prayers.

Godly Play: Kindergarten - Second Grade
Children learn the language of God's people through sacred space, sacred stories, parables and liturgical actions. Much more than play, this experience is highly structured and intentional.

Godly Kids: Grades 3 & 4
Godly Kids, also known as Hebrew Scouts, fouses the attention of children on the biblical drama of the Israelite people wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. The children will live the story through imagination play and will collect story-related objects to help them recall and retell the remarkable story.

Available between worship services from 10:10 to 11:00 a.m. September through May, our 10:TEN Christian education time consists of the following programs for children:

Under Six
Children (ages two and three and preschool/kindergarten*) learn and respond to Bible stories through drama, music, games and crafts. Familiar routines and nurturing teachers provide a dynamic learning environment.

Sunshine Choir: Faith, Fun and Friends
All children grades K*-2 are welcome. Led by Sandie Reinicker, rehearsals are fast-paced and interactive, engaging the whole child. Activities include singing, moving, playing, making friends and worship education. The choir will participate in worship.

D.R.U.M. (Devoting Rhythms Uniting Melodies)
All children in grades 3-6** are welcome. Led by Mary Beth Davis, D.R.U.M. is designed as an interactive musical experience for older elementary children. This creative approach to faith education utilizes songs, games, movement and instruments to teach Bible stories, worship leadership and global music. Incorporating the foundations of Chapel Choir, the D.R.U.M. ensemble would participate in worship and present a musical each spring.

*Kindergarten children may choose Under Six or Sunshine Choir based on readiness.
**Sixth graders may choose D.R.U.M. or Middle Schoolers on the Move (grades 6-8).

Children are welcome to stay in worship with their families. To aid them, Worship Bags and Kids' Notes are available at the sanctuary entrances. Children may leave worship, after the Time With Our Children, to participate in Godly Time (see above).

Worship Bags
The Westminster Worship Bags for children include dry erase boards with marker and eraser, paper and crayons, and bookmarks for the Bible and the Hymnbook. At least two books related to worship and/or Christian values are also included. A children's bulletin (ages 3-6) related to the day's scripture lesson is added each week.

Kids' Notes
Kids' Notes is a supplement to the Sunday worship bulletin. It is a brightly colored publication designed to help children participate in worship and explore the sights and sounds of the sanctuary. Kids' Notes are available September through May.

RENEW! - A Green Vacation Bible School!
JULY 26 - 30, 2010 from 8:45 a.m. - Noon
Age4/Preschool - Grade 6
$25 per child; $35 per family

VBS Registration Form

ReNew is an environmentally-focused VBS program that inspires kids and adults to

GROW IN FAITH,
HAVE FUN AND
CHANGE THE WORLD
AS THEY PRACTICE STEWARDSHIP OF CREATION!

God's creation is a gift we all share. Caring for it - together - is both a good work and collective act of faith.

The Bible is filled with stories and teachings that reveal our dependence on God through the bounty of the earth. ReNew VBS focuses on one of those stories, Jesus' Parable of the Sower, so kids can explore this parable in-depth.

Each day at ReNew, kids hear the entire Bible story, but then focus on one section of it to discover what the passage means for them and how it relates to caring for God's creation.

Occasional Friday evenings
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Childcare provided at minimal cost for parents. Friends and fellowship for children 12 and under.

Several times throughout the year
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Intergenerational fellowship and dinner, which includes hands-on mission activities for children.

Splash! is a faith formation packet designed for families with infants and toddlers. The packet includes Parent Pages and a music CD. The monthly Parent Pages are mailed to the home and offer ideas for faith-filled play, worship, meals, and prayers. Mailing these Parent Pages is one of the ways our congregation helps support families with young children.

Click here for more information on baptizing your child.