Author Archive: KidMin

4th Grade Small Group Leader

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Our 4th grade Small Group Leader is Ms. Alina. Ms. Alina has been attending FUMC for almost 14 years and began serving in Children’s Ministry in 2006.

In addition to Children’s Ministry she served on the worship team for close to 10 years assisting with the monthly communion responsibilities.

When she is not influencing the next generation as a Small Group Leader, she’s influencing them as a Girl Scout co-Service Unit Manager. If you love Girl Scout Cookies (and who doesn’t?), talk to Ms. Alina. She’s the Service Unit Cookie Manager.

She also volunteers at school by chaperoning band trips and serving in concession stand duties during football and soccer games.
She does all of this while working 7am to 4pm five days a week in the DC Metro area, which is 45 minutes from her home! Wow! We so appreciate Ms. Alina’s valuable time.

For Ms. Alina the most rewarding part about being a SGL is listening to the kids engage in discussion and answering questions. She doesn’t think she has helped them realize those answers. She credits other influences in their lives, but we know that even when they don’t know it, small group leaders are making an impact!
The most fun as a SGL Ms. Alina has is watching the kids participate in the activities by working together. She qualifies this by admitting that the kids get caught up in competition, but most of the time, they work well together.

Ms. Alina not only recommends being a SGL she says, “there is nothing more warm and fuzzy than to see the kids laugh and smile while learning about God and not realizing they are working together to teach each other.” She also added, “Oh and the Children’s Minister is pretty awesome!!!  I really like her!!  ;)”
And we like Ms. Alina too!

Her favorite Bible verse is –
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV)

Ms. Anne 5th Grade SGL

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Ms. Anne is the Small Group Leader for 5th graders. She’s been attending FUMC for 24 years. She grew up in the United Church of Christ where the choir director was her voice teacher.  Her grandma always was a United Methodist member, and she and her husband Charlie attended First UM in Lancaster where they were married.

Ms. Anne has been serving in Children’s Ministry for 19 years. She also serves on the Sacred Spaces team, money-counting team and sings in the Chancel Choir. When she’s not serving at FUMC she works as a Physical Therapist and volunteers as CASHS Symphony Wagon treasurer and at theater events.

For Ms. Anne the most rewarding part of being a SGL is seeing a kid learn something new about God and it influencing how they act and live in that moment.

The fun part of being a SGL is realizing that the kids are growing in their walk with Jesus through their “deep thoughts” that they sometimes share. When asked if she recommends being a SGL, she answered with an enthusiastic, ‘Yes’!

Her Favorite Bible Verse is-
Not even the highest places or the lowest, or anything else in all creation can separate us. Nothing at all can ever separate us from God’s love. That’s because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done. (Romans 8:39 NIRV)

First Look Week of March 16, 2020

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Our Bible Story for weeones was from the book of MATTHEW 9:9-12 –
Jesus tells Matthew the tax collector to follow Him, and he does.

REMEMBER THIS:
“‘Come and follow me,’ Jesus said.”
MATTHEW 4:19, NIrV

SAY THIS TO BUILD FAITH SKILLS:
Who can you follow?
I can follow Jesus.

BASIC TRUTH:
JESUS WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND FOREVER.

Week of March 16, 2020

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Our Bible story for elementary students this week was from the book of MATTHEW 5:1-2; 23-24 –
Jesus Teaches on Forgiveness.

SAY THIS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:
Take the first step to forgive others.

REMEMBER THIS:
“Put up with one another. Forgive one another if you are holding
something against someone. Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you.”
COLOSSIANS 3:13, NIrV

DO THIS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:
BED TIME
God says that loving others means making the first move. Whether you need to be forgiven or whether you need to forgive, if something is wrong between you and someone else, you need to take a step to make things right. You might even say that choosing to make peace with others through forgiveness is one of the best gifts you can give God! Pray that God will help you make the first move to forgive.

LIFE APP-
FORGIVENESS:
DECIDING THAT SOMEONE WHO HAS WRONGED YOU DOESN’T PAY.

First Lights at Home March 15, 2020

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Experience Sunday School Together at Home as a Family!

Ready! Set! Go!

Even if we’re unable to meet within our usual environments, we want to still be able to communicate God’s truth in engaging ways to our kids and weeones.

Our time in First Lights on Sunday mornings with kids and weeones includes a Large Group Worship and Story Experience.

To bring this experience into your home, we have videos for weeones (2yrs-not yet in kindergarten) and elementary kids (K-5th grade) in the link below.

Weeones will watch 'Follow the Leader'.

There are two videos available for elementary kids in the link below. Typically, you will want to choose the 'Preteen' option because that is the video we watch as a large group.

Click Here for Video Experiences

Since kids are out of school, now is an opportunity to have your child practice their faith every day. Here is a resource for your child to use every day this week that builds on what they see and hear in the video:

Family Devotion

If the Sunday Experience isn't quite what your family needs/wants right now...

Don't Forget!

Parent Cue App

This free app gives parents weekly cues that are aligned with the content in the video presentations.

Parent Cue App

 

Parent Tools for Talking about COVID19

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The entire world is dealing with something worrisome and unknown. Please know that we are here for you and your family. We are praying for all who have been affected by the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Our top priority is your family's health and well-being, as well as that of our community. We understand the concern and uncertainty you may be experiencing surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are committed to being responsive to the needs of our families and neighbors.

During this time, we may find that our ministry cannot meet in a physical space. This situation may cause our ministries to cancel services, possibly on Sundays and/or Wednesdays. In this circumstance we hope that you will take advantage of the online options we will provide for your families to stay consistent, even if COVID-19 is preventing services from meeting in the church.

What do I say to my child/children?

In times of crisis, there are some things you can say and do that will help your children feel safe:

Weeones:

“I’m here, you’re not alone.” (Listen to their feelings and validate them.)
“Why don’t we draw/color together.” (Observe how they express themselves symbolically.)
“I love watching you play.” (Pay attention to what they mirror, watch how they play and notice changes or regression in their behavior.)
“I am always looking out for you.”
“I’ll help you when you need it.”
"I’ll play with you. I love having time with you.” (Move to their play area or space.
Play is their first language.)
“You are a beautiful, wonderful, child of God.”
“You can know that God is always with you.”
“Even when you feel sad, God loves you.”

Elementary:

“Some things are changing, and that can be tough. But there are some things that will never change. I love you. God loves you. And we can trust God no matter what.”
“This is what I’m feeling right now, how are you doing?”
“Can you put words to what you are thinking or feeling? Even if it doesn’t all make sense, talking about it can help.”
“Do you have any questions for me?”
“This doesn’t make sense to me either. I can understand how this is confusing for you.”
“I am here whenever you need me.”
“Sometimes, scary things happen in our world, but I want you to know that God is always with you. And you can talk to Him anytime.”

Week of March 9, 2020

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Our Bible story for elementary kids yesterday was from the book of
LUKE 19:1-10 –
Zacchaeus

SAY THIS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:
When you forgive others, it can change them.

REMEMBER THIS:
“Put up with one another.
Forgive one another if you are holding
something against someone. Forgive,
just as the Lord forgave you.”
COLOSSIANS 3:13, NIrV

DO THIS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:
MEAL TIME
Q&A for Parents: What’s the biggest restoration project (e.g. room makeover, house flip, etc.) you’ve ever taken on?
Q&A for Kids: What’s the biggest thing someone’s ever forgiven you for doing? How did you feel before and after?

FORGIVENESS:
DECIDING THAT SOMEONE WHO HAS WRONGED YOU DOESN’T PAY.

First Look Week of March 9, 2020

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Our Bible story for weeones was from the book of MATTHEW 4:18-22; LUKE 5:1-11 –
Jesus tells fishermen Andrew, Peter, James, and John to follow Him, and they do.

REMEMBER THIS:
“‘Come and follow me,’ Jesus said.”
MATTHEW 4:19, NIrV

SAY THIS TO BUILD FAITH SKILLS:
Who can you follow?
I can follow Jesus.

BASIC TRUTH:
JESUS WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND FOREVER.

DO THIS TO BUILD FAITH SKILLS:
DRIVE TIME
As you drive, ask your child, “What color is the car we are following?” When the vehicle changes, ask the same question again. Talk about how when we follow Jesus, we love people the way He loves us.

First Look Week of March 2, 2020

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Our Bible story on Sunday was from the book of MATTHEW 3:3-4, 11, 13-17 –
John the Baptist tells everyone how special Jesus is and then baptizes Him when Jesus tells him to.

REMEMBER THIS:
“‘Come and follow me,’ Jesus said.”
MATTHEW 4:19, NIrV

SAY THIS TO BUILD FAITH SKILLS:
Who can you follow?
I can follow Jesus.

BASIC TRUTH:
JESUS WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND FOREVER.

DO THIS TO BUILD FAITH SKILLS:
MORNING TIME
When you go into your child’s room, say, “Good morning, [child’s name]! It’s time to hop out of bed and follow Jesus! Who’s going to say kind words today? We are! Who’s going to help people today? We are! Who’s going to share today? We are! We can follow Jesus!”