Christian Education

Children are a valued part of the Southminster community. Our goal is to nurture their growing faith through programs designed especially for children, and opportunities for children to join with adults in the life of the church. For the youngest of God's children we have a fully-equipped nursery where babies and toddlers can experience God's love through the loving care of regular, consistent workers. The nursery is open on Sunday mornings during our worship service and during occasional special events throughout the year. Of course, children of any age are always welcome to stay in worship if they so choose. For preschoolers and elementary age children we have several programs. On Sunday morning, children attend the first 15 minutes of worship with their families. Then they go to classes with students of similar ages. Parents will want to know that during each school year we begin with stories from the Old Testament and then move through the Bible, learning about Jesus' life between Christmas and Easter, and then hearing stories of the early church in the late spring. This way, the children get a broad picture of God's saving work as they learn it from the Bible and then are challenged to apply these truths to their daily lives.
Children will want to know that their Sunday School teacher will know their name and will welcome them into the class. They will not only hear the Bible stories, but they will be reinforced through games, crafts, puzzles, computer activities, drama and more. On summer Sundays (this year June 14th-September 6th, 2009), we typically do a one-room format, which allows for a combination of age groups to experience biblically-based lessons in a less traditional setting. Grouping children in combined age groups allows for a change of pace from our regular Sundays and gives the older children an opportunity to help younger ones with the more challenging tasks. Our lessons are also constructed with the flexibility of moving classrooms outdoors, weather permitting. No registration is required; just join us at 9:30am on Sundays. Our Vacation Bible School is a high-powered, week-long celebration of God's love! This year's 2009 rocking theme is, "Where fearless kids shine God's light". Kids will be taken on a journey through the swamps of the Bayou country and have loads of fun while learning how God conquers our fears. Children from four years of age through fifth grade are invited to join us evenings from 6:00pm-8:30pm from July 27th - 31st. The children will sing uplifting songs, make cool crafts, sample delicious snacks, play great games and make new friends. Most of all they will learn about God-our best reason to celebrate. The last evening, July 31st, is family night. We will start out in the church at 6:00pm with a short program. The program will give the kids a chance to show off the songs that they have been practicing, followed by the VBS carnival outside. We look forward to having a fantastic and a ROCKIN' week with them! Registration begins early June. You can download a registration form from this website, or call the church office for more information at 630-469-9149 or email Laura Baer, Director of Christian Ed at smpcce@ameritech.net. Please note: We will be collecting the following school supplies for the Peoples Resource Center as part of our mission project. Please bring some of these items to VBS any night during the week: Crayons, pink erasers, 2-pocket folders, Elmer's glue, glue sticks, broad-tip/fine-line markers, permanent markers (black fine-tip or small sets), loose leaf notebook paper, spiral notebooks (70-page), #2 pencils (not mechanical), colored pencil sets, portable pencil sharpeners (battery or hand operated), pencil pockets with zippers, ballpoint pens (red, black, blue), erasable pens (blue, black), Post-it Notes (3"x3" or smaller), rulers (12" w/metric and inch markings), scissors (any size for children and youth), watercolors (sets of 8), highlighters (individual or sets), composition books, dry erase markers (low odor preferred-individual or sets), backpacks (child, teen, adult). Special events for children and their families occur at various times throughout the year. For example, the Saturday before Easter, we invite the community to a breakfast and egg hunt. Children can hear the story of Jesus' Resurrection and make crafts to take home as a reminder of the Easter message.
Children are encouraged to enjoy their membership in the Body of Christ by serving in a variety of ways in the church and community. From third grade up, children can serve as Acolytes (candle lighters) for worship. During the year, Sunday School classes take part in various mission and service projects such as mission fairs, to educate the congregation about ways that our church supports various ministries in the Glen Ellyn area, collecting money for organizations such as Heifer Project International (provides livestock for needy farmers worldwide), and mailing care packages for college students, just to name a few. At Southminster, the children discover the joy of giving and caring for others, in the family of God.