Children &Youth Ministry

Child Care is provided for all worship services, and most activities
at Faith. Our Director of Children & Youth Ministries is
Prudence Adams.

FYG, UMYF, Confirmation and ASP are under the direction of Pastor Brad Shumaker.

 

The Education Mission of

Faith UMC

They came to Capernaum.  When he was safe at home, he asked them, “What were you discussing on the road?”  The silence was deafening—they had been arguing with one another over who among them was the greatest.  He sat down and summoned the Twelve.  “So you want first place”  Then take the last place.  Be the servant of all.”  He put a child in the middle of the room.  Then, cradling the little one in his arms, he said, “Whoever embraces one of these children as I do embraces me, and far more than me—God who sent me.” (Mark 9:33-37, The Message)

In 2001, Faith UMC adopted as its core value, “God’s love as demonstrated in Jesus Christ expressed and reflected in an intergenerational ministry to all the world with special focus to children and youth.  While our focus upon young people is evident, included in that core value (and not to be overlooked) is a vision that includes welcoming all, inviting all, involving all, and teaching all.  It is a reflection of engaging all of the people of faith (regardless of age, race, or situation) in our ministries of hospitality, education, and mission.

As an education team, it is our mission to offer Christian education opportunities for all persons who seek to follow Jesus Christ in heart and life.  Our ministry is from cradle to grave (spanning a lifetime) and from Bible study to yoga (spanning all levels of interest) giving people the opportunity to experience Jesus Christ through personal study and through growth in community.  Our goal is to give all people the tools to live as servant leaders of Jesus Christ in their homes, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods and to equip all ages to share the love that transforms each one of us and our world.  Christian Education at our church gives us the opportunity to be the faith community that studies, communes, grows, and serves.  It is vital to our community of FAITH.  The children remain at the center of all we do.

 

9:00 Sunday School

Nursery—Infants through 2-year olds.

Preschool Program—Age 2 through kindergarten Sunday School are self-contained classrooms.

Elementary Program—1st through 8th grades meet in the South Sanctuary for a Gathering Time from 9:00-9:20.  We provide a variety of activities that relate to the Sunday School lesson.  1st through 4th grades are dismissed to a classroom for Sunday School with a teacher.  Each class uses the rotation curriculum.  5th grade is dismissed to a self-contained class with a teacher and a helper.

Middle School Program—6th through 8th grades go to middle school Sunday School.  This class uses a multiple-intelligence bible-based curriculum.

 

10:30 Sunday School

Nursery—Infants through 2-year olds.

One-Room Sunday School—3-year olds through 4th grade meet in North Sanctuary at the beginning of the worship service.  After the Children’s Moments they are invited to the Education Wing.   The curriculum is Bible based.

 

Children’s Ministries

Faithful Friends Preschool—A preschool program enrolling children age 2 and older.  Faithful Friends Preschool provides a Christian environment which will encourage learning, teach to the developmental needs of children, and respect the unique lifestyle of each child.  This ministry will meet daily from 9:00am-12:00pm, September-May.

WOW Wednesday—A monthly family fun night that includes dinner, biblical message, and family focused, themed activities. Click here for Wow Wednesday schedule.

Alleluia Choir—A choir for children and youth in 1st grade through middle school.  A choir experience providing worship participation for children and youth.  Rehearsals are Sundays, 4:30-5:15pm.

Genesis Singers—A choir for children from 3 years old through Kindergarten.  A choir experience for young children including participation in worship.  Rehearsals are Sundays, 5:30-6:00pm.

Acolytes—A ministry for 3rd-8th grade in which the children and youth can serve the church by serving as acolytes for the 10:30am worship services.  Training takes place in November/December each year and a list of volunteers is developed for the calendar year.

Bible Blast—A fun, activity-filled evening for 3rd graders designed to help them learn how to use their Bible.  Faith UMC presents all 3rd graders with a new Bible each year.

Vacation Bible School—In June each year, Faith offers a VBS experience for ages 3 through 5th grade.  Our program includes crafts, games, music, a mission project, and Bible stories for a fun-filled week.

 

1719 S. Prospect Ave. Champaign, IL 61820

217-359-3631 

 fax:217-359-7826

info@Champaignfaith.org

Youth Ministries

 

The Appalachia Service Project (ASP) - A week-long home repair project in the poverty-stricken Appalachian region for high school students.  Youth and adults begin their preparation in January. Info: Brad Shumaker at 359-3631 or revshuby@hotmail.com.

Christians In Action (CIA)—Teen Praise Band that offers worship music for children’s worship and occasionally in Sunday worship services.  Rehearsal on Sundays at 5:15pm during the school year.

Confirmation—Confirmation has been considered a rite of passage in the Church for many years, as students profess or “make firm” the promises made at their baptism.  8th grade students participate in confirmation, which runs from January through April every year.  Upon completion, students will become full members of the congregation.

Faith Youth Group (FYG)—For middle school youth, meets during the school year on Sunday evenings at 6:15pm.  FYG concludes with a year-end trip.

Puppets of Praise—Starting in 6th grade, youth are invited to participate in Faith’s puppet ministry.  We use primarily rod arm puppets to perform skits for education and entertainment and songs of praise for our children’s programs, our congregation, and occasionally for other churches.  Puppeteers meet on Wednesdays at 6:15pm. Info:  morganboyd@aol.com.

United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF)—For high school youth, this group meets during the school year on Sunday evenings at 6:15pm. Info: Brad Shumaker at 359-3631 or revshuby@hotmail.com.