Immanuel Kids
Sunday Mornings
TIME
We offer Children’s Chapel for Preschool – 5th grade children on Sundays from 10:00 – 11:00 AM (the first hour of the worship service). Children are dismissed after Passing of the Peace so that they and their teachers can participate in the Eucharist.
Nursery Care for children from 12 – 36 months is offered every week for the full duration of the service.
CHILDREN’S CHAPEL | Preschool – 5th Grade
Our Children’s Chapel vision is for children to encounter Jesus and be transformed by the power of the Gospel to become lifelong disciples of Christ.
On Sunday mornings, we worship together through liturgy, song, interactive story presentations, wondering questions, catechesis (teaching of doctrine and the faith), prayer and other activities that allow children to respond to God’s Word through art, reflection or imaginative play.
We use the God’s Big Story (GBS) curriculum, which is rooted in the truth that God has come to rescue his children from their own sin through his Son Jesus Christ. GBS explores the full biblical narrative (from creation to new creation!) and shows God’s abounding faithfulness and love for all of his beloved children.
Our classrooms include “Sprouts” (Preschool & Kindergarten), “Saplings” (Younger Elementary) and “Sycamore” (Older Elementary). Each room is staffed by two trained teachers who love Jesus, love children and are passionate about sharing the good news of Jesus with the next generation!
NURSERY CARE | 12 – 36 Months
Our “Seeds” Nursery Room welcomes children ages 12 to 36 months during the full worship service every Sunday. Our vision is that even the littlest of children will discover church to be a place where they are welcomed, loved, nurtured and consoled. Children in the nursery play with toys, listen to music and read books with loving and trained adult and youth volunteers.
SAFETY
At Immanuel Kids, safety is one of our highest priorities. Our children’s ministry rooms are each staffed with two adult volunteers who have been screened and are trained in safety practices and abuse awareness. If you have questions about our policies or our screening and training process, please contact Jennifer Wood.
SICKNESS POLICY
Out of courtesy to other families (and our volunteers and teachers), we request that you keep your child home if he/she has the following health concerns (or if anyone else in your household is sick with a contagious condition):
- Fever, vomiting, or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
- Breathing trouble, sore throat, swollen glands, loss of voice, hacking or continuous coughing
- Runny nose (other than clear), draining eyes or ears
- Ear infection, conjunctivitis (pink eye), strep throat, etc. unless treated by antibiotics for at least 24 hours
- Lice, pinworms, or other infections or parasites unless treated by appropriate medication
DIAPER & BATHROOM
Bathroom breaks and diaper needs are handled by parents only. Volunteers will contact you via text message if your child has a bathroom/diaper need.
SNACKS & ALLERGIES
We often serve snacks to children ages 3 and up. Parents should indicate during sign-in if there are any allergies, dietary restrictions or health concerns that volunteers should be aware of.
SPECIAL NEEDS
If you have a child with special needs who might need a little extra support to participate in Immanuel Kids, we’d love to partner with you to make their experience amazing! Please reach out to Jennifer Wood to talk more about how our Sunday children’s ministries can best serve your child and family.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
“Can I sit in on a class with my child?”
Parents are warmly welcome to experience a Sunday morning with Immanuel Kids, if you want a better idea of what we’re all about! Simply notify the Children’s Director that you would like to participate. (Note: If you plan to participate more than twice, we will ask you to undergo our volunteer screening process.)
“What if my child is distressed when I leave?”
Drop-off can be a challenging time for parents and children. We recommend a quick drop-off process, as prolonged goodbyes can sometimes increase, not minimize, a child’s anxiety! Our volunteers work hard to soothe upset children and engage them in play, and most children settle down within five to ten minutes of drop-off. Occasionally, however, some children are unable to be soothed. If your child cries for more than ten minutes or if the crying is intensifying, a volunteer will send you a text message!
“Can my child join the main service instead of attending Children’s Chapel?”
Yes! Children of all ages are always welcome to remain with parents and worship in the Sunday service, if that is a family’s preference. We believe that children are as much a part of the body of Christ as adults, and we have a very child-friendly congregation! An “Activity Station” with coloring supplies and toys can be found in the back lobby. Please help yourself to these resources at any time during the service. (Simply return toys and coloring utensils to the bin after service.)
Volunteer with Immanuel Kids
Immanuel’s Children’s Ministry provides opportunities for members of Immanuel to make the Gospel of Jesus tangible, personal and visible for the many kids of Immanuel. Our vision is to love, train and develop children to become life-long followers of Jesus who are filled with the Holy Spirit and free to love and serve the world around them.
We would love to find a place for your gifts and passion on our team! Volunteers always lead in pairs, and typically serve 1 Sunday/month during the first hour of the worship service. If you are interested in getting involved, please fill out this application (link below).
Note: All Children’s Chapel teachers must be members of Immanuel, and all Children’s and Nursery volunteers are required to have been attending services at IAC for at least six months before beginning to serve. Contact Jennifer Wood with any questions.