EVERYTHING You Need to Know for Children and Family Ministry!

Welcome to Children & Family Ministry at Faith Lutheran!

With school around the corner, we are excited for Faith's Children and Family Ministries to begin soon!

To kick off the school year, we invite you all to worship on August 11 to receive a backpack blessing. Students and those who work in education are invited to bring their backpacks or workbags to be blessed; this will happen at both services. Worship will be outside so please bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.

With that, we are having a Back to (Sunday) School Bash on August 25 from 11:30a to 1p on the lawn. During this time we'll have ice cream, games, and activities for all ages. We'll also be having a grill out so bring a dish to share and a blanket to sit on (hot dogs, chips, and dessert are provided)! This is a great time for families to meet one another, see what Faith is all about, and to get excited for the school year ahead.

On September 8, Sunday School and other Education Hour activities are back. Education hour starts at 9:45am and ends at 10:45am. Check out the different activities you and your students can participate in below!

If you're interested in having your child participate in these activities, please fill out the registration form by following this link: https://faithonline.breezechms.com/form/8d83ae

Upcoming Events

August 11 - Backpack Blessing at BOTH Outdoor Worship Services

August 25 - Back to (Sunday) School Bash - 11:30am-1pm

Sept. 4 - Joyful Noise, Faith's Midweek Children's Choir, begins!

Sept. 8 - Sunday School, Studio 56, Children's Chapel (8:30) and other Education Hour activities begin!

Sept. 11 - Joyful Noise

Sept. 15 - Education Hour for ALL ages!

Sept. 18 - Joyful Noise

Sept. 22 - Education Hour; Mission Trip Reflections Forum

Sept. 25 - Joyful Noise

Sept. 29 - Education Hour

Important Dates for the Year

We have a lot of fun things in store this coming year! Here's a list of our important dates; we'll pass out physical copies at the start of the year. Click the link to get a peak at what's ahead: Save the Date!

Children's Chapel during 8:30 Worship for Young Children

New children’s ministry offering! This year during 8:30 worship, children ages 3-7 will be invited to the chapel for a Godly Play story during the scripture readings and adult sermon. Children’s Chapel is an extension of worship especially designed for young children. Godly Play is a sensorimotor style of storytelling that uses tactile materials and wondering questions. It draws children into one of God’s stories and invites them to experience God with their senses, curiosity, and spirituality. Godly Play begins Sunday September 8. If you have any questions or would like to help with this new ministry, email Pastor Julie at pastorjulie@faithonline.org.

Parent Forum (Once a Month)

In life’s constant demands, it can be hard to find the connection and community we need to sustain us. Once a month on Sundays during Education Hour, Faith’s new Parent Group will offer a space to connect with other parents in your church community and receive spiritual nourishment for this season of life. Childcare is provided for children under age 3. Fall dates include September 8, October 6, November 10, and December 8. We will meet in the Library, come when you can!

Sunday School (3 year olds through 4th Graders)

During our education hour, we invite our 3 year olds through 4th graders to participate in Sunday School! During Sunday School, students will have a time to build relationships with each other and to engage with different Bible stories.

We will meet as a big group in the Chapel at 9:45am - during this time we'll hear some announcements, sing some songs, and read the story for the day.

Afterwards, students will split up into classes based on grades. Students can be picked up from their classrooms at 10:45am. The classes will meet in the following areas:

Room 101/102 (Rainbow Room): 3 Year Olds

Room 103 (Polka Dot Room): 4 Year Olds

Room 104 (Green): Kindergarten

Room 204 (Poster Room): 1st / 2nd graders

Room 205: 3rd / 4th graders

Studio 56 (5th and 6th Graders)

Studio 56 is our 5th and 6th Grade Sunday School experience!

Students will meet in Room 107 (the Scrabble Room) at the beginning of the hour. During their time, students will have discussions based off of different Bible stories and then have hands on experiences to help them see how Bible stories are something that helps us even today.

Students may participate in discussions, crafts, and service projects during their time together.

Midweek Programming Option: Joyful Noise (Kindergarten - 6th Grade)

Joyful Noise is Faith's Children's Choir and Midweek programming!

During this time, students in Kindergarten through 6th grade meet to do crafts, sing songs, learn more about God, make friends, and even put together a musical for the end of the year.

Joyful Noise meets on Wednesdays from 4:45 - 6pm at Faith. Joyful Noise will begin on September 4. Here's the link for Joyful Noise's Registration form: Joyful Noice Form.

Faith's Family Ministry Events

Faith's Family Ministry focuses on finding ways to bring families together to grow in their faith with one another in unique ways. A few events that Faith's Family Ministry hosts are:

Trunk or Treat (October)

Advent Fest (November / December)

Family Easter Egg Hunt (around Easter)

Specific dates and times will be communicated through this email - stay tuned!

Other Children's Ministry Milestones:

There are many other milestones and celebrations that Faith hosts throughout the year! Through this email, we will communicate when such events come up. Some things to keep in mind as we begin this year:

Save the Date for our first ever Splash Party January 12! This is a fun celebration for families and their children who were baptized in last three years.

First Bible occurs for our 2nd grade students. This usually happens around February.

Communion is something that we trust families to discuss and decide together. We recommend that students take First Communion classes when they are in the 3rd grade. First Communion Classes will take place during Lent - dates to come.

What if I have students who are older than 6th Grade?

Faith has options for everyone! If you have a student who is older than 6th grade, please contact me so then I can put you on the email chain for activities that your students can participate in through Confirmation or FLY (Faith Lutheran Youth, our High School Program)!