Christian Education

Adult Ministries

Our 9:30 a.m. adult Sunday morning Academy Classes and 3C’s Class are guided by exceptional leaders from the congregation and the Kalamazoo community. These classes are designed to challenge, comfort, and guide; as well as allow for fellowship, reflection, conversation, and spiritual growth. Other Christian education opportunities to serve and become participating members are:

• Music Ministry
• Christian Education Teacher (all ages)
• Sunday Evening Youth Tribe Ministries
• Companions in Christ Study Series
• Men’s Dawn Patrol and Sunrise Patrol Bible Study Groups
• Women’s Weavings Bible Study Group
• Stephen Ministers
• Child Care Assistants
• Special Wednesday Evening Bible Studies During Lent and Advent

Youth Ministries

Our youth ministry is a very exciting and active part of FUMC. We provide a variety of programs to meet the various needs of the youth of our church and our community. Java & Jive, our Youth Sunday School classes at 9:30 a.m., are special interest classes geared just for youth. Confirmation classes are offered for eighth graders every January - May. Youth Tribe is the Sunday evening program for youth that begins with a meal at 6 p.m. Tribe is a combination of missions, Bible study, fellowship and FUN. In the past year, Youth Tribe has:

• Raised money for the food pantry
• Provided Thanksgiving food baskets
• Baked pies and sold them to benefit the Gospel Mission
• Raised money for underwear for Ministry With Community
• Served lunch at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission
• Spent an afternoon playing games with Rickman House residents
• Appalachia Service Project to repair homes in the Appalachian Mountains
• Helped build ramps for handicapped people
• Served homeless people around Kalamazoo with wagons full of hot chocolate and more!

Children’s Ministries

Our church provides children with a multitude of opportunities to grow, build friendships, and learn about faith and grace. By their exuberance, we feel that children play an important role in the life of our church as they help us understand love, patience, and the beauty of knowing God.

We encourage parents to bring their children to worship with them from the time they are very small, so that they can participate in some or all of the worship service. We strive to make the services meaningful for all ages through familiar hymns, special music, and a Children’s Moment. Once a month, First Puppets performs a small skit for the children at the 10:55 a.m. service. Worship activities for young children can be found on a cart located by the Welcome Center in the north hallway.

Babies are welcome! Nursery care is provided for children infant through 3 years old on the second floor from 8:20 a.m. through the end of the 10:55 a.m. service. Our nursery is complete with a separate infant room, creative wall murals, and a kitchenette to warm bottles. Parents may take a vibrating pager with them in case caregiver needs to contact them during worship. Be sure to bring your diaper bag so that the nursery staff can give bottles or change diapers as needed. A Family Room is located in the balcony for those families who wish to worship in a private setting where crying cannot be heard by the congregation. A pew, rocking chair, play mat, toys, books, hymnal, and Bible are available.

Sunday School. Sunday morning classes for children of all ages meets at 9:30 a.m. Classes are taught by adults using Bible-centered curricula. Music, crafts and activities compliment study, worship and prayer during class time. We also provide programming for ages 2 through 2nd grade after the “Time With Our Children” during the 10:55 a.m. service.

Newsletter. Keep in touch with Children’s Ministries happenings by picking up your copy of “The Scoop,” located on hall tables and the cart outside the sanctuary.

Summer Programs. Children’s Chapel is available for children preschool through grade 2 after the “Time With Our Children” during the 9:55 a.m. worship. Although it is most appropriate for this age level, all children are welcome. We encourage children to worship with the larger faith community. The summer offers opportunities for special programs for children. Vacation Bible School is held for children age 3 through sixth grade and is an ecumenical endeavor, encompassing all of the churches around Bronson Park.

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