Southminster Children's Ministry

Southminster Sunday morning Children's Ministry is open every week. Scroll down to see details about the schedule for the nursery (Newborn-35 months), GAP (3 YO - Pre-K) and Children's Church (Kindergarten-5th Grade)


One of the unique practices in the Presbyterian church is Infant Baptism. When we baptize infants we are recognizing that God reaches out and claims us as His own before we have the ability to respond. As a church we make promises to each family that we will partner with them as they raise their child and support them in their journey of faith. We hope that one day everyone who is baptized as an infant will be able to confirm their faith as their own when they are older. While parents can wait to baptize their children at a later point in life, this practice helps shape our congregation and explains the importance of the church partnering with families to help raise their children. Since we are a family we help raise other children like they are our own.


At Southminster the primary ways we help to raise children in the faith are through Children's Church for our elementary children, GAP for our Preschool children and the Nursery for our younger children and babies.

Psalms 127:3-5

"Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court."

Children's Ministry at Southminster

We are excited to re-open our Sunday morning Children's Ministry on May 23rd! To learn more about Children's Ministry at Southminster contact Rev. Andrew Keyes - akeyes@southminpres.org

  • Nursery: Newborn - 35 Months

    Our nursery is staffed with caring ladies and volunteers who love babies and infants. They are trained in CPR and first aid and attend regular child protection training on nursery care. No worries for you as you leave your little one with us - we have a pager system that will allow us to discreetly call you to the nursery if ever needed. On busier Sundays one room is for mobile children, and one room is for our youngest children. Children may be dropped off and picked up at any time during the service. 


    The nursery is available every Sunday during our 10:30 worship service. 


    Nursery Staff: Laneta McDonald, Karen Duke, and church volunteers

  • GAP (God's Active Preschoolers): 3 YO - Pre-K

    GAP (God's Active Preschoolers) is our Sunday morning program for children 3 years-old through Pre-K. We use a curriculum called The Beginner's Bible that teaches through an age appropriate Bible of the same name. Every 2 weeks kids will learn the same video lesson, and over the course of a little over a year they will learn 30 Bible stories which will help give them a firm foundation in the Bible. 


    Children may be dropped off before the service in Room 300 in the Preschool hallway, and picked up after the service. It's the first door on the left right when you come down the hallway from the parking lot.


    Below is our schedule through December. GAP will be open every week unless noted. We will spend two weeks focusing on each Bible story and will use various hands on activities to reinforce the story in age-appropriate ways.


    Schedule

    GAP Teams: Each of our GAP teams serves 1 out of every 4 Sundays.
    • Team 1: Janice Hodge, Barb Reynolds
    • Team 2: Kay Hardcastle, Sam Federwisch
    • Team 3: Benny Gilbert, Caroyl Gilbert
    • .Team 4: Ali Dickson, Dorothy Goforth

  • Children's Church: Elementary (Kindergarten-5th Grade)


    Children's Church is a class for elementary children in Room 356 right outside our Fellowship Hall in the school building that happens during the middle section of our main worship service. At Southminster we value having our children in worship, but we also value them learning in an environment in way that captures their attention and imagination. This service is structured similarly to our main service in the sanctuary, but it is also structured to engage children in ways that are appropriate for their age. Children are always accompanied by a team of adults who lead them each Sunday. They leave the main worship service after the first song, and then return before the last song. Children are always back with the main worship service during baptisms and communion. 


    Current Series | Diary of a Godly Kid (Thanksgiving Edition)

    As kids head back to school, it can be overwhelming for them to see how much

    growing and learning is still ahead of them. Through this study of the life of Joseph, kids will learn that what they need to be successful is to grow with God.


    Schedule (click each link below for the Parent Page that tells you what the kids learn and gives you some ideas to continue the conversation after church)

    • 10/24 | Godly Kid, Godly U-Turn -  Sometimes we make mistakes. Huge mistakes. But with God, it's never too late to move in a new direction. Genesis 27:1-41. Jacob get's Isaac's Blessing
    • 11/7 | Godly Kid, Godly Praise - Sometimes we don’t know where we belong. But when we take time to praise God, we realize our place is with him. Genesis 28:10-21. Jacob’s dream at Bethel
    • 11/14 | Godly Kid, Godly Forgiveness - Sometimes we get weighed down by the bad things we’ve done. But when we receive forgiveness and offer it to others, our burdens are lifted. Genesis 33:1-20. Jacob’s reunion with Esau
    • 11/21 | Godly Kid, Godly Remembering - Sometimes it’s hard to see how far we’ve come. But when we take time to remember all that God has done, we realize how much we have to thank Him for. Genesis 35:1-15. God gives Jacob a new name

    Children's Church Team Leaders:  Doris & Amanda Funderburk, Jane & Kyleigh Rusk, Susan Evans & Heather Hardee, Sandy Buell & Cheryl Fellner, Lisa Landry & Eilene Brown

Children Resources During COVID-19

Life has changed for all of us during this season, and especially for families with children. We know you might be feeling overwhelmed with homeschooling and keeping the kids at home, but you can do this! Below are some resources to help you in your journey of passing on faith to your children. 

  • Preschool - The Bible App for Kids

    Each Sunday check out Church at Home: Bible Adventure with your preschool kids! These videos follow the same lessons on The Bible App for Kids that some of us might have on our phones (download it if you don't - it's great). They produce a video for each week churches can't gather. The Bible App for Kids is ideal for ages 2-5.