Children's Discipleship

Nursery Care is provided during all worship services, including the Sunday School hour.

Age two to four as of September 1 of current school year. These younger children’s classes enjoy the Deep Blue Bible Curriculum, and they experience the stories of our faith through story time, crafts, hands-on activities, and worship, led by Sunday School teachers. A paid childcare worker assists volunteer Sunday School teachers with changing diapers and assisting potty-training children. Please be sure to bring an extra diaper/set of clothes for emergencies.

Testament Travels, our rotational Sunday School model, is a spiritual journey from past to future. Each week the children rotate to a different room where they explore the scriptures in creative ways. Instead of introducing a new scripture each week, children work with the same Bible story for several weeks in a row, allowing the story to be reinforced in their memories. Testament Travels has six stations, each with leaders who have gifts and interests in that particular area. The workshops include Cinema on the Mount, Carpenter’s Workshop for arts and crafts, Covenant Courtyard for cooking and science, Good News Productions for acting out Bible stories, Isham Chapel for music or storytelling, and Circuit Riders with 12 computers each named for the disciples. This rotation model was created on the premise that different people learn in different ways. With Testament Travels, our children will know the stories of Jesus and will experience them in a variety of ways. It is an exciting and meaningful way to learn about Jesus and experience God.

• Our church provides a two-part sticker security system so parents will be comfortable leaving their children in the nursery. Please fill out the two stickers with your child's name: one serves as the child's nametag and the other part of the sticker remains with the parent. A parent or guardian must return and show this label in order to pick up the child.
• For maximum security, please do not send friends or relatives (including older siblings) to pick up your child. Additionally, if your child has any allergies, please be sure to include that information on the sticker.
• Each family is asked to take a silent pager for children under two years of age, in case they are needed at any time during their church activity.
• Parents, please do not enter the room when dropping off or picking up your child. This will insure safety of all children —those who crawl and those who need special instructions—and also so children do not become anxious to leave when other adults are in the room.

For questions or concerns, contact Misty Miller, Coordinator of Nursery Ministries,  mmiller@fumchurst.org.

Please bring diapers, bottles, pacifier, and a change of clothes. Clearly label all your child's belongings: cups, blankets, diaper bags, pacifiers, bottles, change of clothes, etc. Avoid bringing toys from home, as they are easily left behind, along with other items (such as snack food) that you do not want your child to have while in the nursery. Please pack diaper bags carefully, so caregivers can easily find what they need. Our nurseries are peanut and tree nut-free zones. Please do not send any snacks with nuts in them.

Caregivers are instructed not to admit children who are displaying the following signs of illness to the nursery/child care: vomiting, diarrhea, fever or antibiotics for less than 24 hours, yellow or green mucus production, coughing, eye infections, Chicken Pox. If your child develops these symptoms while in the nursery, you will be asked to take him/her home. These guidelines are provided for the best interest of all our children. Caregivers are not allowed to administer medication.

As children grow, they become more aware of their surroundings, especially the people around them. There are several ways to make the time of adjustment easier for parents and children:

• Be consistent in your attendance. Attending regularly helps your child become familiar with the caregivers and the room.
• Take a pager for children under two; you will be called if needed. Our policy is to call parents if their child has been crying continuously for ten minutes.
• Do not linger. Give your child a kiss and tell them you are going to church and you will be back for them—then leave quickly. The sight of you only makes things harder for both of you. You will be paged if needed.
• If a child is upset week after week, it can be helpful for one parent to stay for the hour. This reassures the child as they become familiar with new surroundings.
• Leave the child and their belongings with the caregiver at the door if you are not planning to stay in the room. This helps reduce confusion and anxiety among all of the children.
• Talk to caregivers—tell of needs, concerns, attitudes, favorite blanket, nap times, etc. Share any information that will be helpful to the child and the caregiver while you are away. Also include this information on your child's security sticker.

Childcare for meetings and special events throughout the week is provided as needed for parents who remain on the church campus. You will register online through your specific event. If you have questions about whether child care is provided for an event, contact the person responsible for your meeting or the church office, 817.282.7384. We must have at least 48 hours notice to schedule workers.

All children K-5th are invited to join us for Music, Movement, and Mission from 5-6:30 p.m. one Sunday each month. The children will have a fun and interactive time connecting with God, people, and purpose through each station. We will meet in Wesley 103 and then break into groups to rotate through the stations. Check the church calendar for upcoming dates or email JAcker@fumchurst.org for more information.

A fun, family event featuring a unique scavenger egg hunt! Children look high and low for different eggs and mark them off on their cards as they find them. Along with games, crafts and prizes, families can hear the Easter story, take pictures at a fun photo spot, and enjoy a hot dog dinner (while supplies last). And of course...there will be lots of Easter eggs and candy!

Each year hundreds of children, youth, and adults join together for an exciting week of learning about Jesus and encountering God. Each year's themes are designed to delight us all as we learn more and more about our faith through music, recreation, arts and crafts, storytelling, and science. Vacation Bible School is free and is open to all children entering K–Grade 6. Classes are available for younger children of adult volunteers who are on-site. VBS utilizes many youth and adult volunteers who are members of the First United Methodist Church congregation and have attended the  MinistrySafe Abuse Prevention Training.

This year's VBS will take place in the evening, June 26-29. Check back for more information. Registration will begin in May.

We celebrate important milestones in the lives of our children, and starting Kindergarten is an important one. During worship services, usually the Sunday before school starts, children receive a special message and story Bible, along with a blessing for a wonderful school experience.

In September, third grade children receive the special gift of a Bible from the Church, as they look forward to a year, and a lifetime, of learning to use it as they grow in their relationship with God. Information is mailed to all households with third grade children in August. Children are also invited to participate in the 3rd and 4th grade Bible Camp at Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center as well as a 3rd Grade Bible Buddies on Sunday evenings during the school year.

Each year, between 5-6:30 p.m. on the Sunday before Halloween, members of the church and community are invited to enjoy a fun evening! A hot dog dinner, carnival games and prizes round out this great fall event. Come trunk-or-treat with us! Costumes for young and old are encouraged but not required.

Sexuality is a difficult thing to talk about. Let your church help. Wonderfully Made is a human sexuality workshop for students in grades 5 and 6. It is offered each school year, usually in January. Information is mailed to all church families with 5th and 6th grade students prior to the workshops. The weekend includes a Thursday evening parent meeting, Friday evening and Saturday sessions with students only, and concludes on Saturday afternoon with a session for students and their parents.

Many of our children and youth attend summer camp, as well as retreats held throughout the year, at Glen Lake, the United Methodist camp for the Central Texas Conference. Camps are offered for children entering first – twelfth grades and have become an important part of their faith development. Camps can fill up quickly, so early registration is recommended and camperships are available if needed. Watch for announcements or check the camp out at www.glenlake.org.

Students in grades K–6 have the opportunity to participate in the worship service by serving as an Acolyte. Acolytes carry the cross and the light into worship and assist in Holy Communion and Baptisms. Training sessions are held annually in the fall.