Youth and Children's Ministry
- Crib Room and Toddlers
- Threes & Fours, Young Fives & Kindergartners
- Grades 1 - 3
- Grades 4 - 6
- Junior High/Middle School (Grades 7 - 8)
- Senior High (Grades 9 - 12)
Purpose
We believe that our Youth and Children's Ministry is the outgrowth of the covenant made at Baptism. Part of this ministry then, is to respond and help shape the whole person as a member of the faith community. We feel the presence of the Holy Spirit must be acknowledged, invited, and responded to as our guide and shaper in this work.
We desire to create a nurturing environment that demonstrates sensitivity for children and youth. As they learn basic Christian concepts from the Old and New Testaments, the young people learn how to apply these teachings daily. We share the love of God through Jesus Christ with our children and youth as we provide places where they can begin to feel a part of the total church community. This way, our children can experience the church as a happy, caring place where they are loved and accepted. We agree to share the good news of the gospel with them, to help them know and follow Christ, and to strengthen their family ties with the household of God.
Toddler and Infant Childcare
We believe it is possible to share the love of God through Jesus Christ with infants and toddlers. One way to express this love is to provide a place in the church where they can begin to feel that they are a part of the total church community.
Childcare is available every Sunday morning during worship and education hours. Childcare is available upon request for all church functions. The toddler room is located on the main floor in room 212.
Items you might wish to bring to the toddler room for your child include diapers, wipes, bottles, a blanket, extra clothing (especially for potty training), and any treasured object. Please label all items with your child's name to assist our child care workers. Masking tape is available to label all unmarked items. Thank you for your cooperation - we truly look forward to better knowing your children as part of our church family.
Please call 269-344-0119 for more information and/or to volunteer.
Threes & Fours; Young Fives & Kindergartners
Sunday School: Sunday School classes provide the first opportunity for small children to learn about God's love. Age-appropriate classes are available throughout the school year. School meets at 9 am. Three and four year olds go straight to their classrooms; young fives and kindergartners gather in the chapel first, and then go to their classrooms with their teachers. For more information about the program see the Sunday School page.
Children's Worship: Children's Worship is available to children aged four through 3rd grade during the 10:00 am worship services. For more information see the Children's Worship page.
Summer Camp: The Presbyterian Camp in Greenwood, Michigan has a "Beginners" camp each summer for those who have completed grades K through 2nd. It is a three day, two night experience.
Grades 1-3
Sunday School: Age-appropriate Sunday classes are available throughout the school year. Children first gather in the chapel at 9 am, then go with their teachers to their respective classrooms. For more information about the Sunday School program go to the Sunday School page.
Children's Worship: Children's Worship is available to children aged four through 3rd grade during the 10:00 worship service. For more information see the Children's Worship page.
Music: Music is a vital part of the Sunday morning church school program. The children have additional opportunities to sing during the morning worship or special services several times during the year.
Summer Camp: The Presbyterian Camp in Greenwood, Michigan has a three day, two night "Beginners" camp each summer for those who have completed kindergarten through 2nd grade. It also has a "Mini-elementary" camp each summer for those who have completed 2nd through 4th grade. This is a four day, three night experience.
Grades 4-6
Sunday School: Age-appropriate Sunday classes are available throughout the school year. Children first gather in the chapel at 9 am, then go with their teachers to their respective classrooms. For more information about the Sunday School program go to the Sunday School page.
Music: Music is a vital part of the Sunday morning church school program. In addition, the Youth choir is open to all students in grades 4 through 8. Rehearsals are held every Wednesday afternoon from 4:30 to 5:30 pm in the choir room. The choir sings once or twice a month, usually during the 9 am worship service. These special occasions include an 8:15 am warm-up rehearsal.
Fellowship Group: A weekly youth fellowship group for fourth through sixth graders meets on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 pm to 7 pm during the school year in the church dining room with dinner. Movies and other activities serve as effective catalysts to lively discussion. These experiences are designed to help young people think about what God's love means in everyday situations. Games and munchies round out the hour!
Special Events: Weekend ski retreats, canoe trips, overnights at the church, and summer trips to Cedar Point are part of the year's schedule of activities.
Ski Club: Youths of this age are invited to join the church Ski Club at Timber Ridge Ski Area every Friday during snow season.
Middle School (Grades 7-8)
Church School: A Sunday morning issue-oriented study of the Bible is offered at 9 am throughout the school year for 7th and 8th graders. For more information go to the Sunday School page.
Youth Fellowship: A fellowship program for 7th and 8th graders meets in the church dining room and youth room on Thursday evenings from 7 to 8:30 PM through the school year. Recreation, refreshments and diverse programs shape this time of fellowship. The young people enjoy movies and visits to community agencies, and special events such as hayrides and swin parties. The goal of this group is to nurture ties to the family of God adn give the Gospel special meaning for everyday events with family, friends and school.
Music: The Youth Choir is open to all students in grades 4 to 8. This spirited group meets for weekly rehearsals from 4-5 pm in the choir room. The choir sings once or twice a month, usually during the 9 am worship service, preceded by an 8:15 am warm-up rehearsal.
Ushers: Ushers are needed to assist at both the 9 and 11 am worship services on Sunday mornings. The young people pass out children's bulletins at entryways and receive the offering.
Weekend Retreats: Overnight retreats at Pretty Lake Camp in the fall, ski retreats at Caberfae in the winter, and canoe trips on the Pine and Pere Marquette Rivers in the spring are part of the many opportunities for this age group.
Summer Mission Trips: Each summer we do one or two work project/tours to places as far away as Alaska and Europe, and as diverse as the mountains of North Carolina and the inner citiy of New York. 7th through 12th graders are eligible to participate in these trips which are 2, 3, or 4 weeks long(depending on location), and include at least 5 days of a project like painting a church or conducting a Bible School. See Financial Aid for information on financial assistance.
Confirmation Classes: 7th through 12th graders are eligible to participate in a confirmation class during the Lenten season. This is an opportunity for young people to reflect on their faith and their relationship to the community of faith and to prepare them for the decision to become church members.
Community Service Projects: Several times each year there are opportunities to participate in "paint blitzes" and other work projects. These projects help individuals, agencies, or churches who need assistance and provide students a fun and rewarding way to contribute to the community.
Ski Club: Every Friday during the snow season, the Ski Club takes the church bus to Timber Ridge Ski Area to enjoy the slopes and fellowship in the lodge.
Special Events: Summer trips to Cedar Point Amusement Part, movie parties, and a Christmas overnight to Chicago are included in the year's activities.
High School (Grades 9-12)
Church School: A Sunday morning discussion class is available at 9 am throughout the school year for high school students to reflect on and explore their beliefs. For more information go to the Sunday School page.
Youth Fellowship: The fellowship program for high school students meets weekly at the Church in the Youth Lounge. Program topics cover concerns relevant to this age group and include concerns of the larger church and how personal faith influences decisions that are made about their lives. Games, munchies and occasional special events are part of this activity.
Music: The Westminster Coir is a singing group for 9th through 12th graders. Under the direction of Thomas Kasdorf, this choir rehearses on Sundays from 5:45 to 6:45 in the choir room and sings monthly, usually at the 10:00 am worship service. Special music presentations, expecially during the holiday season, are also a part of this program.
Ushering: There are opportunities to assist in ushering and receiving the offering at both the 10:00 worship service.
Weekend Events: A fall retreat at Lake Michigan, a ski wekend at Caberfae in January, adna a bike/canoe trip in the spring, are available to high school students.
Summer Mission Trips: One or two trips each summer to places as far away as Alaska and Europe and as diverse as an Indian Reservation in Arizona and the inner city of Washington, D.C. are opportunities to participate in adventures of travel and mission work. The young people spend at least 5 days of the trip on a project such as leading Bible School or painting a church. The rest of the time is spent sight-seeing, visiting cities and shrines, swimming in oceans and rafting whitewater rivers - whatever the location offers. See Financial Aid for information on financial assistance.
Confirmation Classes: 7th through 12th graders are eligible to participate in a confirmation class during the Lenten season. This is an opportunity for young people to reflect on their faith and their relationship to the community of faith and to prepare them for the decision to become church members.
Community Service Projects: Several times each year there are opportunities to participate in "paint blitzes" and other work projects. These projects help individuals, agencies, or churches who need assistance and provide students a fun and rewarding way to contribute to the community.
Ski Club: Every Friday during the snow season, the Ski Club takes the church bus to Timber Ridge Ski Area every Friday evening from 4:00 - 6:00 pm to enjoy the slopes and fellowship in the lodge.
Sports: Participation in church league basketball and softball is availabe to high school students. The basketball season runs from December through February; Softball starts in the spring adn may run into the summer.
Special Events: Summer trips to Cedar Point Amusement Part, a Christmas overnight to Chicago, and film parties are included in the year's activities.
Financial Aid
Some of these activities cost money, especially summer and weekend trips. Opportunities for junior and senior high students to earn $5.00 an hour credit are available at various times during the year to help students pay their own way to these events. Scholarship grants may also be available to those who need additional assistance.
- Updated December 1, 2000