Children's Ministries

Connect, Grow, Serve

Children are a vital part of our ministry. We invite children to have fun and learn about God’s love for them. We offer activities for 2-year-olds through fifth graders.

New here? Fill out the form at annandalechurch.com/newchild to connect your child with our children’s activities.

Welcome, Elaine Woods!

Our new director of Christian Formation, Starting in 2024

Elaine comes to us with a degree in Education with a strong background in theology and ministry. She worked as the Director of Children’s Ministries at Aldersgate UMC for 12 years, where she developed and expanded Christian education programs for children and collaborated with ministry leaders to provide intergenerational outreach events for both the congregation and local community. She has four adult children, a daughter-in-law, and a precious granddaughter who just turned two. She enjoys hiking and hopes to visit every national park (she has hiked 15 so far). She loves espresso and French pastries and delights in baking sweets. She is looking forward to meeting everyone.

We are taking the opportunity of this staffing transition to redefine the position as Director of Christian Education, which will allow us to address some pressing needs at the church. At Annandale UMC, we believe children, their families, and young adults are a vital part of our ministry. It is also important we deepen faith and understanding of scripture across all ages at our congregation. With pastors, staff, and lay leaders, Elaine will lead the development of a vision plan for all Christian Formation at Annandale UMC, coordinate recurring formation programs for children and adults, develop and oversee special events for children and families and young adults, and cultivate lay leadership by identifying gifts and talents of parishioners and encouraging, empowering, and training volunteers.

Please welcome Elaine when she joins the staff.

Growing in Faith Together

Children's Sunday School: Children’s Sunday School meets weekly from 9:35 - 10:15 a.m. Kindergarten/1st grade in room 313, as well as 2nd/3rd grade in room 314, are exploring biblical stories through the Godly Play curriculum which promotes wondering and fosters faith. 4th/5th grade meets in room 309, following the Storymakers curriculum with a “Faith Guide” unit exploring foundations of the Christian faith such as the sacraments, Apostle’s Creed, Lord’s Prayer, and Ten Commandments. Pre-K is kicking off the year in room 208 with a “Blast Off!” unit from the Grow curriculum.

K-5 Children’s Choir: Our K-5 choir meets weekly from 9-9:30 a.m. Following Children’s Choir, children go to Sunday school from 9:35 a.m.-10:15 a.m. While the K-5 Choir meets, preschool age children (ages 3-5) are invited with a parent/guardian to hang out in the play zone (room 208). This will then transition to their Sunday school class at 9:35 a.m.

Noisy Offering: On the second Sunday of each month during worship, Children’s Ministry collects a “Noisy Offering” during the worship service. The Noisy Offering is, as its name indicates, noisy and joyous as children with little red buckets collect loose change from other worshipers. At the end of the program year, everything given through the Noisy Offering goes to purchase flocks of chicks through Heifer International to help families in need. A flock of chicks changes lives by “providing eggs and protein for nourishment, boosting income through sales of extra eggs and offspring, and ensuring security for generations.”

Making Space for Children During Worship

Nursery care: Quality, faith-based care for our littlest friends (infants – age 3) is available in the nursery, room 207, Sunday mornings beginning at 10 a.m..

Children’s Church: We are blessed by the presence of children in our community and welcome their wiggles and giggles. Held during our 10:30 a.m. worship service, children are invited to a worship experience specifically designed for ages 3-5th grade. Children will encounter God in new and exciting ways as they grow their faith through engaging and interacting with a weekly message, activity, and more. Children start in the sanctuary with their parents and follow the leaders out after the children’s story. They return to the sanctuary prior to communion each Sunday.

Children’s Wiggle Corner: As an act of welcome and hospitality for families with young children, a part of our atrium with a good view through the glass doors and walls into the sanctuary holds children’s worship bags with coloring and other quiet activites, a collection of soft toys, a child-friendly table and chair set up, and some Bible-based books for kiddos. Parents with young children are free to choose what works best for them at any given time, be that joining everyone in the sanctuary, using the nursery, or checking out the wiggle corner; first and foremost, you and your children are welcome as you are, wiggles and all, in whatever space you choose to worship and gather with us.

Get Involved

Help Refresh Children’s Worship Bags: We’re looking for one or two volunteers who are interested in helping to refresh the children’s worship bags each week by disposing of used materials and restocking them with new resources supplied by the church. Contact Meredith Lamarche for more information or to volunteer.

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