Sunday Morning Children's Ministry is offered two times each Sunday.
Preschool through grade 5 meet from 8:30-9:30 a.m. and 9:45-10:45 a.m.
All children check in at a computer kiosk in Room 112B each week before going to class. Preschoolers go directly to their classrooms for worship and small group time. Children in Kindergarten through 5th grade go to Room 121 for worship and dismissal to small group location. Parents pick up children from assigned small group classrooms.
Curriculum
We use BUZZ and Celebration Station curriculum from Group Publishing.
General Information
For more information please contact Dana Hagstrom, Children's Ministry at 447-0100, or children@faith-life.org.
Schedule
Children's Ministry meets weekly during the school year. There may be Sundays that have special events planned and advance notice will be given of any schedule changes.
Special Sundays
Special Sundays could include special events, such as guest speakers, special music and family activities. Throughout the year there are opportunities for the children to present an offering of music in one or all of the worship services. Additional information will be provided.
Resource Cost
A $15 free will family offering is asked to offset the cost of extra supplies. All children are welcome to participate regardless of ability to contribute to the supply fee. Scholarships are available.
Offering
Students and their families are encouraged to support the ministry and mission of St. Mark's with weekly offering. Periodically throughout the year all Children's Ministry students will vote on a particular cause or mission to support. Weekly offerings will be collected during large group worship time. We hope to increase each student's awareness as to the needs of others and understand how we are called by God to be good stewards of what we have.
Registration
All students must have a completed registration form.
Guests
Students are welcome to invite a guest. A parent of a registered student may fill out specialized information/medical release form for the guest student.
Weekly Check in and Check out
Parents must accompany their students to the computer sites for check-in Room 112B. When a Children's Ministry student is signed in a parent claim badge will also be provided. The claim badge issues a random 'one time' matching number that matches the child's name tag. At dismissal, Parents are to go directly to the student's designated location. They will present their parent badge or alternate ID (driver's license). Students will only be released to an adult or to an older siblings who is no longer eligible to be in Children's Ministry with proper identification.
Special Needs
If a child would be more comfortable with someone who would be an adult special friend/mentor, please let us know and it will be arranged. Parents are encouraged to educate volunteer staff as to the best ways to communicate and nurture children with special needs. We want to know what it is that will help every child succeed.
Adult/Student Ratio
It is our goal to provide an effective and meaningful ministry. We know that means having an adult to leader/student ratio of one to six or eight students. To maintain that ratio we will it may be necessary to limit registration unless we have a proper adult to student ratio.
Communication
Students may bring home letters or flyers announcing special events. Information will also be included in the church bulletin, and the church newsletter, Connections. You may also log on to the church web site at www.faith-life.org. Be sure to provide us with your email address, as much of the communication to parents is by email. This includes a parent newsletter with tips for family fun and devotions.
Inclement Weather
Children's Ministry will only be canceled because of weather if all of St. Mark's Ministries are canceled on a Sunday morning.
Calendar
A calendar of events will be included in the Children's Ministry parent newsletter. Also watch bulletin announcements and the all-church newsletter, The Connections.
Parent Participation
Parents are highly encouraged to participate as Faith Leaders in Children's Ministry. We offer a wide range of opportunities to serve. You may be a small group leader; large group leader; a member of the drama, the tech, hospitality, or curriculum resource team; or assist with servant projects, technology or registration/check-in. All volunteers are required to complete an application and complete a background check prior to participating in Children's Ministry.
We are excited with the prospect of an amazing year in Children's Ministry. When we keep the ministry of children and their families focused on growing in love for God and allow the Holy Spirit to guide our hearts, we will have a ministry for children and their families that will set the stage for a lifetime relationship with their Creator, Savior and Holy Spirit.