Children and youth are welcome in all facets of AUMC life. Child care is provided for young children during worship services, but children can also attend worship. Our children and youth programs aspire to show children that the church is a place where they are welcome and loved, and to plant the seeds of Christian faith. Aldersgate has several ongoing programs for children and youth. Contact the Church Office at 363-3446 for additional information on any of these programs.
Nursery Care
-
Supervised care is provided by trained nursery attendants during Sunday worship for ages 0 to 5
-
Age-appropriate arts & crafts, stories, cooperative play and games are all a part of what the youngest members in our midst experience while in the nursery
Sunday Children's Worship
-
Children in Kindergarten through Third Grade are invited to learn more about how to understand and participate fully in the worship experience
-
They attend the first portion of worship with their families and then walk together to a separate room to share songs, prayers, stories, and bible verses, and discuss other aspects of worship
-
Children return to the sanctuary in time to participate in the last portion of worship
Sunday School Classes
-
Explorers class is offered for ages Preschool to Second Grade
-
Adventurers class is offered for ages Third to Sixth Grade
-
Sessions for each age-group involve a variety of mediums, including arts & crafts, field trips, music, computers, games, outdoor activities, cooking, mission work, and much more
-
Youth Sunday School is for Seventh through Twelfth Grade
-
The youth are enjoying a film series this year, in order to explore many of life’s tough topics through cinema and then apply their messages to real life. Example titles are Wall-E (taking care of God’s earth), A Christmas Story (commercialism of Christmas), and Remember the Titans (racial tension)
-
Occasional just-for-fun group outings take place after the Sunday School hour throughout the year
Wednesday Community Supper
-
Community Supper is offered every Wednesday evening (except for weeks with major holidays), September to May
-
Anyone from the surrounding community is welcome to enjoy a hot meal anytime between 5:30 and 6:30 PM
-
Free will donation
-
Vegetarian options are always included
-
Puzzles, games and coloring books are available for families to enjoy after each meal
Menu Schedule:
First week of each month: Soup & Salad
Second week: Sloppy Joes
Third week: Lasagna
Fourth week: Hot Dogs and Macaroni & Cheese
Fifth week (when applicable): Tacos
Family Camping
-
Aldersgate’s Family Camp is an opportunity for people of all ages and all stages of life to come together for a weekend in August at Albright United Methodist Camp near Reed City
-
The most recent group ranged in age from 3 to 74, with singles, couples, and larger family units all attending--and fun was had by all!
-
Among the many activities offered each year are worship, singing, swimming, canoeing, tubing, hiking, a hayride, a campfire and just relaxing!
-
Dates for this year's camp is August 13-15, 2010
Summer Children's Program
-
Activities for children are offered every summer, whether as a Vacation Bible School or a Music & Drama Camp
Christian Camping
-
weekend camps
-
camps lasting a week or more
-
camping experiences for children, youth and adults
-
camps for a variety of interests such as music and arts, multi-media, special needs, outdoor living, work camps, hiking camps and athletic camps
Aldersgate Center for Child Development (ACCD)
-
ACCD is located in the education wing of our church building
-
has provided quality year-round child care since 1978
-
offers full-time and part-time care for children one month to 12 years
-
operates Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
-
can be reached by calling 363-1210 or by e-mail
-
Visit Aldersgate Center for Child Development (ACCD) for more information