Our mission is to partner with families for the spiritual formation of their children. Through creative Bible based experiences, children are guided to grow in their faith and become genuine followers of Jesus Christ. Please visit our Calendar for specific dates on special activities.
Sunday School
At St. Mark’s UMC we take an exciting approach to Sunday school! Live B.I.G. helps children see, hear, and live their Belief In God. Short video segments bring faith-filled, high-energy excitement to the children with characters who model B.I.G. behavior, travel segments featuring B.I.G. ministries by everyday people and cool music clips.
- Ages 5 - 7: Bible Bugs in Room 123
- Age 7 – 10: Kidz Clubhouse in Room 121
Please contact Julie Poyer, Co-Director of Children’s Ministries for additional information julie@stmarksraleigh.org
Children’s Church
Children are welcome and encouraged to attend worship services with their family. At the designated time during the 11:00 service, children (Age 5 – 3rd grade) are invited to attend their own Children’s Church.
A Children’s Church leader will guide the kids to their own kid-friendly space, with 5-6 year olds in Room 6 and 1st – 3rd graders in Room 4. The kids sing songs, make crafts and learn about God’s loving presence in their lives through interactive stories and activities. The children return to their families in the Sanctuary during the last portion of the service.
Grow Zone
Snack time!
The St. Mark’s UMC Grow Zone is committed to providing a safe, nurturing Christian environment for young children. Care is offered each Sunday morning from 8:00 – 12:15 for infants up to Kindergarten. Each room is staffed with qualified caregivers to provide consistent care. Parent volunteers are also an important part of The Grow Zone.
- Infant Nursery – Birth to 12 months (Room 129)
- Toddler Room: 1- 2 years (Room 131)
- Preschool Room: 2 1/2 – 3 years (Room 127)
Each room has a wonderful supply of age-appropriate toys, games and activities. The two and three year olds study age appropriate Bible stories using a variety of activities including storytelling, art, games, music and more. A light snack is provided.
Sunday Morning Procedures
Sleeping soundly in the Nursery
- Please provide and label appropriate items for your child’s stay in the nursery such as diapers, change of clothing and bottles/cups.
- Parents will be given a numbered pager at check-in. No child will be released to anyone other than a parent with the corresponding numbered pager.
- Please do not bring your child to the nursery unless they have been free from the following symptoms in the last 24 hours: vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, any excessive nasal drainage, coughing and fever of 100 or above.
The nursery is available for many evening activities for children up to age 3.
Please contact Jen (jen@stmarksraleigh.org) or Julie (julie@stmarksraleigh.org) for additional information or to request nursery care.
Community Easter Egg Hunt & Family Picnic
Our annual Easter Egg Hunt & Picnic will be held in March of 2012. Activities included the Easter story, egg hunt, bounce houses and a raffle, along with snacks! Any funds gathered from the raffle and snacks will go toward the Stop Hunger Now packing event. We look forward to seeing all of the families again this year!
Vacation Bible School
Each year in June, St. Mark’s UMC flings open its doors to 150+ children, ages 3 to 5th grade, for a week full of crafts, songs, games and Bible stories. This year will prove to be no different!
SMUMC will plunge into VBS 2012 during the week of June 18th to June 22nd, from 9 am to 12 pm. This year’s theme is “Operation Overboard: Dare to Go Deep With God!” Dive in and discover God’s underwater universe. As they journey miles below the water’s surface, kids will plunge into Bible stories of people with deep faith and learn to trust a God whose love is bigger than the sea.
VBS registration is open to children ages 3 to 5th grade. Registration will be on April 10th for Church members, April 16th for preschool families, and will be open to the public on April 18th. Forms have been emailed out and are available in the Church and Preschool offices, as well as at this link VBS 2012 Registration Form. Registration forms must be received prior to June 8th to reserve your spot on the diving team. Registration is limited to the first 150 children.
Fall Festival
The St. Mark’s FALL FESTIVAL will be held in October of 2012. It is going to be fantastic – it’s the time when our congregation and community come together for an afternoon of family fun.
We will have games, concessions, live music, pony rides, bounce houses, clowns, public safety vehicles and a visit from Wool E. Bull. We’re also planning a silent auction with proceeds to benefit The Methodist Home for Children.
Christmas Caroling and Birthday Party for Jesus
Sunday, December 9, 2012
3:00 – 5:00
ALL AGES and ALL VOICES are welcome!
Christmas Caroling at Elmcroft
Gather your children, family and friends and join us in spreading the joy of Christmas! We will go Christmas caroling at several nursing homes to share the holiday spirit with shut-in members of St. Mark’s. After caroling we will return to church and celebrate the season with a Birthday Party for Jesus. We will have refreshments, hot cocoa and birthday cake to enjoy. Please make plans to join us in an afternoon of holiday fun!
For more information, contact Jen Bauldree jen@stmarksraleigh.org
Contacts
Jen Bauldree and Julie Poyer, Co-Directors of Children & Family Ministries
(919) 787-0544 x14
jen@stmarksraleigh.org
julie@stmarksraleigh.org
Link For Parents
www.safesanctuaries.org/
Links For kids
www.christiananswers.net/courtesy-kids.html#coloring
www.christiananswers.net/courtesy-kids.html
