Children's Ministries

Children's Ministries

Teacher Training Tips

PURPOSE

Our purpose is to introduce children to Jesus Christ, help them develop a relationship with Jesus Christ, and assist them with the life-long process of:

Engagement in dynamic worship,

Incorporation into authentic fellowship,

Development of Christlike character,

Equipment and commissioning for ministry within the church and mission of witness and service in the world

GOAL

Our goal in Children’s Ministry here at Shadle Park Presbyterian Church is to love kids, parents, teachers, and helpers and equip them (biblically, spiritually, relationally, and emotionally) to become more mature disciples of Christ and eventually disciple makers.

We accept every child and family exactly as they are today. It is through the love that we show kids and each other that they will in turn understand the depth of Jesus Christ’s love for them.

We want to be a church where our kids are having an impact on the world today, not merely when they “grow up.”

CHILD CARE

Our Child Care room is equipped with a Parent Seeker vibrating pager system. When you check your child into this classroom, you will be assigned a pager. If you are needed for any reason, your pager will vibrate. The wireless pager system works throughout the church areas. All pagers are paged 10 minutes following the end of service.

All of our Children’s Ministry volunteers are required to complete a screening process including a Washington State Patrol background check.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

We provide a full Sunday School Ministry for children age three through Junior High during our second worship service at 10:45 am. All Sunday School classrooms are located downstairs. The Preschool children remain in the Preschool classroom the entire worship service. The children in Kindergarten through 5th grade begin in the Celebration Room singing songs. They then move to their respective classrooms. Children in the 4th through 8th grade will be released at the end of worship service. We encourage you to stop and visit with your child’s Sunday School teachers. They are all volunteers and appreciate your compliments.

When your child attends Sunday School, they receive points or tickets toward prizes. They receive additional points/tickets for bringing a friend, bringing a Bible, and participating during class.

OFFERING

An offering is taken each Sunday during Sunday School. The offering is used to support a child we sponsor through Compassion International. Klinea is a girl living in Guatamala. Our Sunday School kids have sponsored her for more than five years. The kids write letters to her and she writes letters to us. You can learn more about child sponsorship at www.compassioninternational.org

COMMUNION

We participate in the sacrament of Communion also known as Eucharist or The Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of the month. Children in 2nd grade and above will come up from their Sunday School classes and sit with their parents during Communion. Each fall, our pastor staff teaches the children about the sacrament of Communion. You do not have to be Presbyterian or baptized to participate in Communion. The only requirement is that you admit that you are a sinner and that you need God in your life, as your Savior.

CAMP SPALDING

At Camp Spalding your child will experience classic summer camp fun—boating and swimming, craft projects, hilarious skits, one-of-a-kind camp games, new friends, and lasting memories. But best of all, Camp Spalding provides the chance to get away from the daily summer routine, to spend a week with an outstanding, fun staff of Christian role models, and experience the adventurous life God intends for us. Camp Spalding has many sessions running throughout the summer for almost any age child.

Check out the details at www.clearwaterlodge.org/campspalding.html

Partial scholarships are available from the church for Camp Spalding. Please see a pastor for more information. Our dream is for every child to go to camp!

VOLUNTEERING FOR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

We rely on our volunteers in order to have a successful Children’s
Ministry. Please consider volunteering in one of the following ways:

Sunday School Teacher or Helper
Help decorate the classrooms and hallways at each new season
Help with crafts or teach a craft to the kids
Organize a special event for the kids
Serve on the Children's Ministry committee which shapes the vision and activities of the our Children’s Ministry.

Please contact Cindy Carter at 327-5522 for more information.

Please help us by filling out the Sunday School registration form every fall. This form is necessary to provide important information about your child such as allergies or special concerns, but also so we have your contact information.