Wednesday Night Schedule
5:30-5:40 pm All K-5 children arrive and check-in at computer kiosk.
5:40-6:00 pm All K-5 children worship together in the Worship Center.
6:00-6:30 pm All K-5 children eat together in the Fellowship Center. Meal Menu
6:30-7:30 pm All K-5 children are dismissed to small groups for lesson time.
7:30 pm - Parents, please pick up your children from their assigned small group location.
General Information
For more information please contact Dana Hagstrom, Children's Ministry at 447-0100, children@faith-life.org
Monthly Schedule
Wednesday Children's Ministry is held every week except the last Wednesday of the month, which is typically reserved for Family Night. Watch your schedules and announcements for any change in this pattern.
Family Nights
Family Nights are generally scheduled for the last Wednesday of the month. The intention for Family Nights is that instead of coming to church for Children's Ministry, families are encouraged to stay home TOGETHER, and make intentional plans to do something special. This is a night to celebrate your family and share an activity together.
Dinner
Students may bring a sack lunch from home or eat a meal furnished by the church. The cost of meals for the entire year is $70 for the first child and $35 for each additional child who is also enrolled in Wednesday Night Ministry - including confirmation. The meals are kid friendly. Scholarships are always available. Meal Menu
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.
Special Activities
Students will be invited to participate in special activities, servant projects and activities that will compliment curriculum goals. Advance notice will always be provided.
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 located in the atrium. 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 sibling who is no longer eligible to be in Children's Ministry with proper identification.
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 the needs of others and understand how we are called by God to be good stewards of what we have.
RegistrationAll students must have a completed registration form. Download the form here.
Special Needs
If your child would be more comfortable with and adult special friend/mentor to accompany him or her, that may be arranged. Parents are encouraged to educate volunteer staff as to the best ways to communicate and nurture children with special needs.
Adult/Student Ratio
It is our goal to provide an effective and meaningful ministry. We know that means having an adult to student ratio of 1 to 6-8 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 be canceled because of weather if Linn Mar schools have cancelled school that day.
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.
Curriculum
We use the BUZZ and Celebration Station curriculum from Group Publishing.
Find out more about BUZZ.
Find out more about Celebration Station.