Children at First United Methodist are special
We here at First United Methodist take to heart Jesus’ instructions. Children as young as three years old begin to experience Bible lessons, music, worship and crafts that all surround a particular theme. Children’s Sunday school continues for children through 6th grade. Each class offers young people an opportunity to learn, share, grow, and have fun with friends and neighbors. First United Methodist strives to help children understand the Biblical lessons and apply the teaching of the Bible to their life. We are committed to helping children develop a personal relationship with God and Jesus Christ.
One of our primary goals is to provide a fun and safe environment that children will beg their parents to allow them to attend. Here, kids will begin a life long relationship with Jesus Christ and will learn about His love through scripture, activities, prayer, praise and music.
Throughout the year, First United Methodist offers special programs for children:
Kindergarten thru 6th grade meets in Tow Inn, located on the second floor of the Education Building, at 9:45 a.m. for rotation Sunday school. Children learn a Bible story by rotating through seven stations, each group through one station each week (Rock of Ages Stages, Almighty God the Science Guy, Solid Rock Cafe, Gospel Games, Temple Tales, Church Mice, Thou Art).
Children are placed in the following groups according to their grade level:
K – 2nd Graders – Cartoon Stars
3rd - 4th Graders – Movie Stars
5th – 6th Graders – Rock Stars
VBS is always an exciting event in the life of our church offered for one week every summer. This year, First United Methodist is partnering with First Christian Church to provide a Galatic Blast for our the children of our community. VBS will be held July 5-9 at First Christian Church from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. More information will come as the summer draws near. Click here to view pictures of VBS activities.
Acolytes are an important part of our worship service. These positions are filled by third through sixth graders. Acolytes are important people in the worship service. Acolytes are the ones who first enter the sanctuary and bring forward the lit flame to light the candles on the altar. We light the candles to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world, and that this light still shines on our world today. The candles remain lit until the end of the worship service. Just as the acolytes begin the service by bringing the light forward, they are the ones who first leave the service. Acolytes carry the lit flame, reminding all of us that Jesus tells us to go out into the world and proclaim the good news. Students become eligible to fulfill this position after participating in a training session.
Click here to view pictures of some of our acolytes
WNL is offered Wednesday evenings from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in the Spring and the Fall. Different activities are available for ages Kindergarten thru 6th grade. Wednesday Night Live classes for the fall 2010 will begin on September 8th and run through November 17th. A light supper will be served at 5:00 with classes beginning at 6:00. WNL gives the people from the three worship services a time to come together for fellowship and study. Presenters and programs for the WNL include: Bonnie Hopperton / Prayer Shawl Ministry, Ron Hopperton / Angels, Carol Allen / Healing the Past Hurt, the Grieving Process, Christy Day & Jane Dupree / Scrapbooking using the Fruit of the Spirit scriptures, Ellen Wiemers / Mission Project, and Mel Moreau / To Be Announced. Our Youth will be helping with the Mission Project while our Kindergarten through 5th graders will be learning about Heroes of the Bible with Susan Lafley and Leighia Barron. Also beginning on September 8th will be Disciple 2 taught by Beverly Millsap and Beverly Blalack. A nursery is provided for infants through preschoolers. Click here to view pictures of WNL activities
Lakeview Camp is a summer church camp offered by our district for 4th grade and up. Additional information concerning the camp may be found through the church office.
Click here to view the Lakeview Camp website
First Methodist Kids, our children’s choir, meet each Sunday night from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. during the school year. Recreation, choir practice, devotion and a light supper are provided. First Methodist Kids perform during the worship services periodically during the year.
At First United Methodist Church our babies are special. Our Nursery and Toddler Room reflect our care and love of young children. Professional childcare providers oversee the nursery and while there, children experience the love of caring adults.
Click here to view additional pictures of the nursery and other FUMC facilities.
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Safe Sanctuary
OUR CALLING AND OUR MANDATE IS TO ENSURE A SAFE SANCTUARY FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
Throughout the gospels, Jesus provides teachings on providing a peaceable kingdom for all of God’s people, including our most precious gifts, our children and youth (Matthew 5:9, Luke 18:15-17).
The peaceable kingdom begins with sanctuary.
Scriptures provide examples of how sanctuary is to be a community of protective nurture and harmony (Psalms 20:1-2, 27:4-5). As Christians, we are called to create a safe sanctuary in our churches. They must be holy, safe, and protective communities for all of God’s children, regardless of age or ability. The purpose of this policy is to address the safety of our children and youth at events sponsored by this church. This church recognizes the need to have a formal, written policy with procedures in place (1) to help prevent the opportunity for the occurrence and/or the appearance of abuse of children and youth and (2) to help protect workers from false accusations and/or suspicions.
The Safe Sanctuary policy and procedures at First United Methodist Church in Orange, Texas are not based on a lack of trust in workers, but are intended to protect our preschoolers, children, youth, workers, employees, volunteers and the entire church body. Careful and confidential documentation is essential to show compliance with policies, to verify information as needed, and to have an accurate record in the case of an incident.