Welcome to Fayetteville First UMC’s Ministry to Families with Children!  Our prayer is that we will embody Christ’s love, reaching out to the families of our community, embracing them in a caring fellowship and empowering them to share God’s grace in the world.  We strive to provide all family members with solid theological formation, fun and engaging fellowship, holy worship, and a variety of opportunities to serve God as we serve one another.  Through our various ministry programs, we hope that all persons will encounter the love of God in truly transformative ways.

If you are interested in anything you see here or would like further information, please contact Kristin Heiden, Minister of Christian Formation (kheiden@fayettevillefirst.com, 770-461-4313, ex. 17).

Family Ministries

From family picnics to the Fall Festival to the Easter Egg Hunt, we offer various events throughout the year to bring families together for fellowship and fun.  Here are some of the events coming up:

Upcoming Events:

• Family Movie Night                                                                                                                                   Join us on March 19th at 6 p.m. for dinner and a movie.   We will share a meal together and then watch Disney's Up.  Snacks surrounding the movie's theme will also be available during the show.   There is no cost for the event, but please RSVP to Kristin Heiden by March 17th.
• Palm Sunday, March 28                                                                                                                               All children are invited to participate in the waving of the palms on Palm Sunday, March 28 during all services.
• Easter Egg Hunt, March 28 3-5 p.m.                                                                                                         Our annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place on March 28 from 3 – 5 p.m.   We will meet at the field off of Hills Bridge Road for an afternoon of fellowship and fun.   Directions will be available at the Welcome Center and church kiosks as the event nears.   This year, the Egg Hunt will be one of our CrissCross events as we partner with the United Methodist Children's Home to provide Easter baskets for the children and youth under their care.   Instead of donating candy, we are asking for the following items: travel-sized toiletry items (not from hotels); band aids; chapstick; frisbees; sports balls; G and PG rated dvds; fiction books for children and teens.   Items can be dropped off in the designated bins around the church.   Baskets will be assembled at the Egg Hunt.
• Haiti Penny War                                                                                                                                         On April 17, our children are invited to participate in the LaGrange District's first Children's Day.   Themed, "Let Down Your Nets," children in kindergarten through 5 th grade will join together for a morning of worship, skits, games, and lunch.   As part of this day, churches are asked to raise money to benefit Haiti relief.   To do this, our children will be sponsoring a penny war.   Beginning on March 21, each grade will be provided with a jar to collect coins.   The jars will be available outside the children's hallway for all who pass by to donate.   The grade level that collects the most coins will have a special breakfast on Sunday, April 18 during Sunday School.   All the money collected will be taken to the Children's Day and donated to UMCOR's Haiti relief efforts.
• Easter Inter-Generational Sunday School, April 4                                                                                           On Sunday, April 4, all children and their families are invited to celebrate Easter together during a special Sunday School celebration in the Family Life Center Gym.  Join us from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. for a time of learning and fun surrounding this joyous day.
• No Programs on Wednesday, April 7                                                                                                       Regular Wednesday night dinner and programs will not take place on April 7 during Spring Break.
  
  

Children's Ministries

Sunday Morning
On Sunday mornings, children are invited to take part in times of fellowship, formation, and worship.

Rock Solid
Seeking to build a solid foundation in their journey of faith, preschool-aged and kindergarten children meet every week to study the biblical stories and explore the Christian faith.  Children ages three and four meet in room C-100. Children in Kindergarten meet in room C-120.  (9:40-10:40 am)

Jubilation Nation
Sunday School for 1st through 5th grade follows the rotation model, allowing children the opportunity to experience God through various workshop stations such as cooking, science, games, and more.  Children in 1st grade meet in room C-130.  Children in 2nd grade meet in room C-110.  Children in 3rd-5th grades will meet in the Youth Lounge before traveling to The Studio for an opening gathering and then begin their rotational workshop.       (9:40-10:40 am)

• Current Rotation Schedule

Wonders of Worship
While bringing children to worship may not always be an easy task, we need to remember that attending worship is an extremely important part of a child’s spiritual growth. Children learn what it means to worship God by observing the examples of adults. The presence of children in the life and mission of the faith community is an opportunity that should be taken seriously as we respond to the call of raising the next generation of God’s people! Fayetteville First UMC is responding to this mission in two ways.  First, we are beginning our new Wonders of Worship program.  Following the children’s moment in both the 8:30 and 11:00 am services, the children will gather to learn about the different aspects of worship.  They will discover exactly why we do what we do and what it means.  They will also begin to learn the common prayers, creeds and hymns of the church.

Second, we want to help parents guide their children before, during, and after worship so that all members of the family are able to be a part of the worship experience.  Yes, there will be squirming.  Yes, there will be some whining, but the church wants to partner with parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles in caring for our children and helping them to discover the wonders of worship. As part of this effort, every few months we will publish various tips for helping prepare your children for worship as well as ways to lead them during the worship service.

"Parenting in the Pew" tip sheets:

• Prepare and Participate in Worship
• Call to Worship
• Welcoming into Worship

Discovery Club
While the older elementary children take part in chimes and bells, the 4 year olds through 1st Grade will enjoy a time of stories, crafts and games at Discovery Club.  This Fall we focused on some of the foundational stories of our faith: Creation, The Flood, Tower of Babel, Joseph, and the birth of Jesus.  Beginning in January, we will study John Wesley's "Three Simple Rules" for Christian living: Do No Harm, Do Good, and Stay in Love with God.  This study will last for six weeks.  Following Winter Break, we will begin a special study for Lent. (6:30-7 pm, Room C-160)

Kids FLIP
From 7-7:30 p.m., children of all ages are invited for a time of Fellowship, Learning, Imagination and, most of all, Play!  While so much of children’s time is scheduled and structured, Kids FLIP is designed to give the children a safe and open environment to experience true fun and fellowship with one another.  Children in Preschool through 1st grade meet in C-160.  Children in 2nd through 5th grade meet in C-280.As a new program, we are excited                                                   about the things we have experienced so far:

Pajama Party – Kids wore their pajamas for a movie night and brought a new pair of pajamas to donate to Gracie’s Closet, a clothing project for Fayette County Foster children. Wrapping Party– The children gathered to help wrap presents for the DFCS Christmas party

Freeze Dance, Relay Races, Limbo, and more!!

Children's Music

Strong Tower: Knowing My King

Join us on Wednesday nights for music, games and fun as we learn about Jesus, our King. Our music this year will broaden our understanding of God's role in our lives and how to connect to him. His many names will help us learn more about his relationship with us.

Choirs (ages 4 through 5th grade) - 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Discovery Club, Chimes, Handbells - 6:30 to 7 p.m.
Kid's FLIP and Ensemble - 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Sonshine Singers 4 Year Olds-K, 6-6:30 pm (C-270) Melody Choir 1st-2nd Grade, 6-6:30 pm (B-225) Joyful Noise Choir 3rd-5th Grade, 6-6:30 pm (B-125)

Children’s Chimes 2nd-3rd Grade, 6:30-7 pm (B-320) Handbells 4th-5th Grade, 6:30-7 pm (B-140)

Summer Activities

Vacation Bible School
Join us June 28 - July 2 from 9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. as we gather for Baobab Blast! Baobab Blast is an open invitation to be a part of God's Great Get-Together. Set under the impressive baobab tree, kids will have the opportunity to hear the Word of God, be amazed at God's wildlife creations, and be part of a supportive and loving church community. Cost is $5 if you register before June 1 and $10 after June 1, which includes a CD and t-shirt. Registration will be available in May.

Marching with Moses Day Camp
Although Wednesday night programs are suspended in the summer, children still have a place for fellowship, learning, imagination, and play! Children in Kindergarten through 2nd grade are invited to join Pastor Kristin on a March with Moses. We will explore the stories of this great Old Testament figure, marching with him away from Egypt, through the Red Sea, and to the top of Mount Sinai. We will meet on Thursdays, July 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Cost is $5 per day. Registration will be available in May. 

Summer Fun Days                                                                                                                     Looking for a fun, educational, and safe place for your child to spend the summer days? Come join us for Summer Fun Days every Tuesday and Wednesday, June 1 - July 21 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Children ages 2, 3, & 4 are invited to spend one day or every day with us. Cost is $20 per day. Look for registration as Summer nears.

Dance Group                                                                                                                                   Love to move and groove to the music? Join Pastor Kristin every Monday in June and July (except during VBS) from 2 – 3 p.m. to discover how we can worship and praise God not just with our voices but with our dancing as well. There is no cost, but registration will be required beginning in May.

back to top