SFUMC Children’s Ministry Milestones

SET SAIL ON A JOURNEY…

It is our goal in SFUMC Children’s Ministry for every child to participate in the life of the church by experiencing:

• Worshiping Together (Gathering)

• Learning Together (Growing)

• Serving Together (Giving and Going)

WHY MILESTONES?

By the time our children have reached 7 th grade, they will have had the opportunity to experience:

• Worshiping with their friends

• Worshiping with their family

• Learning stories from scripture with their friends

• Learning stories from scripture with their family

• Leading the congregation in praying and the reading

of scripture.

• Serving as acolytes

WHY MILESTONES?

By the time our children have reached 7 th grade, they will have had the opportunity to experience:

• Serving as greeters and worship hosts

• Serving Holy Communion

• Preparing and presenting musical and visual art for worship

• Going to serve in the name of Christ with their friends

• Going to serve in the name of Christ with their family

• Discerning their spiritual gifts and where they are

called to serve.

WHY MILESTONES?

4 YEAR OLD PRE-K MILESTONES

Godly Play – During the 10:30am worship service, after the Prayer of Illumination, the children are invited to a worship time unique to them, hearing the Word of God through storytelling and response. They return to the Sanctuary during the final

hymn to receive the Benediction with their families.

KINDERGARTEN MILESTONES

J.A.M. Sunday School – Children begin meeting

with their Small Group during

Sunday School hour.

Choir Partners – Children move up from

Star Choir to Choir Partners

1ST GRADE MILESTONES

Proclaim - During the 10:30 am worship service. After the Prayer of Illumination, 1st and 2nd graders are invited to the

Prayer Chapel to hear the morning's scripture in a way that is fun and age appropriate. After the sermon, the children return to

the Sanctuary to participate in the remainder

of the service with their families.

2ND GRADE MILESTONES

Prayer of Illumination – Children are now invited to lead the congregation in the Prayer of Illumination. Child leaders will

become part of the rotation with the Pastors

and Proclaim leaders.

Saintly Singers– Children move up from

Choir Partners to Saintly Singers

Cheerful Chimers – Children are invited to join

the Cheerful Chimers music group.

3RD GRADE MILESTONES

3rd Grade Bible Presentation – Children are given a Bible by the church as a symbol of our continued commitment to the

covenant made at their Baptism.

3rd Grade Bible Lock-In – Children are invited to participate

in an exciting event where they will learn more

about how to use their Bibles and participate in

mission together.

4TH GRADE MILESTONES

Acolyte – Children are invited to learn how to and begin serving as acolytes.

Graceful Ringers – Children are invited to join the handbell group, Graceful Ringers

5TH GRADE MILESTONES

Greeting – Preteens are invited to learn about Christian hospitality and to serve as Greeters on Sunday mornings.

Worship Buddies – Preteens are invited to serve by participating in worship with one of our worshippers from Jordan Oaks Senior Living

Center. They will help them to

get settled into the pew, sit with them, assist them with their

hymnals and bulletins and

help with standing when needed.

6TH GRADE MILESTONES

Lay Readers – 6th Graders are invited to begin reading the scriptures in worship.

Holy Communion – 6th Graders are invited to learn about and serve Holy Communion.

Discovery and Youth – 6th Graders are invited to

Discovery in February. Following Discovery,

they are invited to join the youth on

Sunday evenings.