Children

About:

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”Jera-Mouse2

Our goal is to provide an environment where children are welcomed and experience the love of Jesus. We want to help them discover who God is and to know Him. As they grow and learn about God we also want to help them understand God has a plan for each of them.

Kiosk Check In Procedure: All children, except guests, must sign in at one of our 5 kiosks. We ask guests to stop at our Children’s Welcome Desk to get signed in and receive their security stickers. Children should be dropped off and picked up at their classroom by an adult with the corresponding security tag. (You must have your half of the sticker for picking up your child.)

There are 5 different kiosks you may use to sign in your child.

  • 1 in the Gym Area
  • 2 in the Nursery Hallway
  • 2 in the Elementary Hallway
  • Guests: Check in at the Children’s Welcome Desk

Get Involved:

We believe: Children are a gift from God, and offer families the opportunity to publicly dedicate their child to God’s purposes here on earth. This public dedication is when parents, along with family and friends, dedicate themselves to raising their child to know Jesus love. We believe the “body of Christ” is called to come alongside families and assist them in loving and educating children. Therefore we commit together to “train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it”. (Prov. 22:6)

Child dedication is not the means of salvation for the child. Until children are old enough to understand sin, forgiveness and their need for a Savior, we believe children are covered by God’s grace.

In Child Dedication, parents are pledging to:

  • Teach their child about Christ and to live their lives in a way their child will learn about the Christian life through their example.
  • To bring their child to church regularly and experience Christian Education with other children, and families.

A one-time “Child Dedication Class” is required for all families who want to publicly dedicate their child.

To register click HERE, email family@firstfriends.org,  or call the church at 330.966.2800

2020

Our response as of 5/14/2020 to Covid-19: After much prayer, phone calls, and meetings we have decided to cancel all June and July original programming for Camp Gideon 2020. The decision was not easy and we will miss our campers on our campgrounds this Summer. However, we still want to stay connected through Virtual Camp! We are making videos to put on our website in the months of June and July for campers and their families to access. Please pray for us as we are making these videos and seeking other ways to spread the love of Christ.

Virtual Camp Gideon

 

Classes

Currently due to COVID-19, we are not meeting.

Children’s ministry is offered for children from newborns through 5th grade during two Sunday morning worship services.

Please check in your children at one of the kiosks before taking them to class prior to each service.

All children can be dropped off any time after 8:45 am.
9:00 am: Sunday School and Nursery are available.

Elementary children will need to be picked up after the 9:00 service. All other children staying for both services can remain in their classes.
10:30 am: Nursery and Children’s Church are available (elementary age worship with parents then are dismissed before the sermon begins).

Currently due to COVID-19, there is no nursery available.

We are here to provide a safe and loving environment for both you and your child. Children birth through 24 months experience Jesus’ love as volunteers care for them in one of our 3 nurseries: Infants, Walkers, and Toddlers.

Visiting parents will receive a pager which would be used if your child needs you during the service.

Mobile Text Alert System is available. You may sign up for this at our nurseries. Your child’s name and your cell phone number is all that is needed.

Currently due to COVID-19, we are not meeting.

Date: Wednesday evenings
Time: 6-6:50 pm

Description: Children’s Choirs meet from September to the end of April. Choir follows the schedule of CLC. Choir directors and their assistants help children get to their CLC classes. Both choirs participate in the Children’s Spring Show and occasionally sing on Sunday mornings.

The Little Praisers: Children ages 4 – 5, and Kindergarten – Grade 1. They meet in Room E-122 with Glenda Ross.

The Glory Gazers: Children in Grades 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. They meet in Room E-110 with Tammy Forsythe.

For further information about the Children’s Choirs, please email tforsythe@firstfriends.org.

Currently due to COVID-19, we are not meeting.

Christian Life Club (CLC)

Date: Wednesday evenings
Time: 7-8:15 pm
Location: Education Wing

Description: CLC is an activity based midweek opportunity for children ages 3 through 5th grade. We design our own program using a variety of materials and curriculum with the goal of reaching kids who attend regularly, as well as newcomers.

Our Goals: We hope that the children will “see Jesus” in the adults and in their classmates. We aim to build fellowship, and include times for kids to get to know each other and make friendships that will last.

What We Do: We praise God through singing and enjoy a Bible lesson in chapel time each evening. Miss Tammy leads the preschool chapel and Miss Kris leads the elementary chapel. Children then go to their age level classes for activities, games, and a snack.

Staff

Tammy Forsythe

Director of Children's Ministry

tforsythe@firstfriends.org

Ext. 215

Gail Wallace

Administrative Assistant for Children's Ministry and Missions

gwallace@firstfriends.org

Ext. 229