Southminster Children's Ministry

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

Currently our discipleship opportunities for children take place on Sunday mornings alongside our weekly worship service. 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 who love babies and infants. They are trained in CPR and first aid and attend regular 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. The nursery is available during Sunday morning. Children may be dropped off and picked up at any time during the service. 


    Nursery Staff: Jeanne Peabody (head), Laneta McDonald, Mary Khajed

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

    Our newest addition to our Children's Ministry at Southminster is GAP, a new 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 our Puppies and Kittens room (preschool hallway), and picked up after the service. 


    Below is our schedule for the next few weeks. We repeat the same lesson for 5 week to help children retain the stories, but we change up our activities and how they experience the story each week.


    Schedule

    • 4/22 - Creation: God Made Everything, Block Play Activity
    • 4/29 - Youth Sunday - Children in worship the whole service
    • 5/6 - Hannah Prays: God Hears Our Prayers, Doll Play Activity
    • 5/13 - Hannah Prays; God Hears Our Prayers, Art (Clay & Paper) Activity
    • 5/20 - Hannah Prays: God Hears Our Prayers, Game (Baby Burp) Activity
    • 5/27 - Hannah Prays: God Hears Our Prayers,  Doll Play #2 Activity
    • 6/3 - Hannah Prays: God Hears Our Prayers, Hannah's Action Prayer Activity
    GAP Teams: Each of our GAP teams serves 1 out of every 4 Sundays.
    • Team 1: Janice Hodge, Barb Reynolds, Camilla Flores, Kendall Cray
    • Team 2: Judy Blacklock, Kay Hardcastle, Amanda Funderburk, Amanda Mockaitis
    • Team 3: Benny Gilbert, Caroyl Gilbert, Sarah James
    • Team 4: Brad Federwisch, Sam Federwisch, Rachel Hauschel, Greta Hauschel, Katelyn Needler

  • Children's Church: Elementary (Bridge/Kinder-5th)

    Children's Church is a worship service in our fellowship hall 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 and youth who lead them each Sunday. They leave the main worship service after the first hymn, and then return after around the doxology. Children are always back with the main worship service during baptisms and communion. 


    Current Series: When I Grow Up

    Idea: It's natural to look to the future and wonder what kind of jobs we will have and what kind of people we will be. Regardless of what career we pursue, we can use our strengths to serve God - both when we grow up and right now. 


    Memory Verse: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17


    Schedule

    • 4/8 - Police Officer - You can grow up to protect others. Nehemiah 4, Nehemiah Protects the people
    • 4/15 - Firefighter - You can grow up to rescue and care for others. Genesis 14:8-24, Abram Rescues Lot
    • 4/22 - Doctor - You can grow up to be a healer. Mark 5:21-43, Jesus Heals a Woman and a sick girl
    • 4/29 - Youth Sunday - Children will be in worship the whole service
    • 5/6 - Teacher - You can grow up to teach others. 1 Samuel 3, Samuel Studies Under Eli
    • 5/13 - Athlete - You can grow up to train and compete - 1 Corinthians 9:19-27, Running to Win the Prize
    • 5/20 - Artist - You can grow up to create and inspire. Exodus 35:30-36:7, Materials for the Tabernacle
    • 5/27 - Musician - You can grow up to make beautiful music. 1 Samuel 16:14-23, David in Saul's Service
    • 6/3 - Judge/Lawyer - You can grow up to be a peacemaker. Exodus 18:5-26, Jethro Visits Moses
    • 6/10 - Movie Maker - You can grow up to tell stories that change the way people see the world. 2 Samuel 12:1-10, Nathan Rebukes David
    • 6/17 - Architect/Engineer - You can grow up to construct great things. 1 Kings 6:1-14, Solomon Builds the Temple
    • 6/24 - Farmer - You can grow up to provide for others. Ruth 2:1-18, Boaz Provides for Ruth
    • 7/1 -Missionary - You can grow up to share Jesus around the world. Acts 14:8-28, Paul and Barnabas Share the Gospel


    Children's Church Team Leaders: Lisa Landry, Doris Funderburk, Susan Evans, Homer & Lisa Galera