Southminster Children's Ministry

Southminster Sunday morning Children's Ministry is re-opening every other week through the summer beginning May 23rd! 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 will be available during the following Sundays beginning May 23rd: 5/23, 6/6, 6/20, 7/4, 7/18, 8/1, & 8/15


    Nursery Staff: Laneta McDonald, Mary Khajed, Karen Duke, Jordan Keyes (Nursery Supervisor)

  • 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 Play-n-Worship, and it's simple: kids play, and kids worship. All in a way that young children can understand. They sing songs, tell stories, have tons of interaction, and they learn about Jesus! It's practically impossible for even the wiggliest or squirmiest children not to be fully engaged. 


    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 for the summer. GAP will be open every other week through the summer with plans of opening weekly beginning mid-August. 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

    • 5/23 - Creation: God Creates Everything
    • 6/6 - Creation: God Creates Everything
    • 6/20 - 
    • 7/4 - 
    • 7/18 - 
    • 8/1 - 
    • 8/15 - 
    GAP Teams: Each of our GAP teams serves 1 out of every 5 Sundays.
    • Team 1: Janice Hodge, Barb Reynolds
    • Team 2: Kay Hardcastle, Amanda Funderburk
    • 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 -  Incredible Faith

    From beginning to end the Bible is filled with incredible stories of heroes whose faith in God allowed them to be used by God to save the day. During this summer kids will learn that they can put their faith in God, because he is worthy of our trust.


    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)

    • 5/23 | Ark Man - God asked Noah to build an ark. He told Noah that he was going to flood the whole world, and he wanted to save Noah’s family. Noah had never seen a flood like this, but he obeyed God because he trusted God’s plan. Kids will learn that having faith means trusting that God has a plan. Genesis 7:6-18, 8:15-22, Noah’s Ark
    • 6/6 | Mr. Obedient - God asked Abram (who became Abraham) to move to a new place and Abraham obeyed immediately. Kids will learn that having faith means we obey God. Genesis 12:1-4 Abram moves to a new place
    • 6/20 | Professor Positive - Joseph chose to have faith that God had a plan and purpose for his life even when things seemed hopeless. Kids will learn that faith means trusting God even when bad things happen. Genesis 41:9-40 (may also reference 37:26-28 39:20-23)
    • 7/4 | Captain Commandments - Moses had faith that God would take care of his people, even when they were trapped between an army and a large sea. Kids will learn that they can encourage others to trust God when they are afraid. Exodus 14:13-22 God splits the Red Sea
    • 7/18 | Princess of Protection - The Israelite spies were in danger of being caught and killed until Rahab stepped in and saved them. Kids will learn that when we have faith, God will use us to help others. Joshua 2:2-21, Rahab and the Spies
    • 8/1 | Mr. 300 Man Army - Gideon had a small army, but God had a plan to confuse the enemy and give Gideon the victory. Kids will learn that when we put our faith in God, nothing he asks us to do is impossible. Judges 7:1-22, Gideon Defeats the Midianites
    • 8/15 | Giant Slayer - He may have been just a kid, but David saved a whole nation from a giant and the entire Philistine army. He did this because he believed that God was stronger than anything. Kids will learn that they can serve God today, no matter their size. 1 Samuel 17:32-49, David and Goliath

    Children's Church Team Leaders:  Doris Funderburk, Jane Rusk, Susan Evans & Heather Hardee

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.