Children’s ministry

Growing God’s Kids & Faithful Families

Children’s ministry at SSUMC is a joyful and faith-filled place. Our primary goal is to help families and children learn and grow in faith together! We believe it is essential to surround children with many caring adults who model faith-filled lives of devotion, worship, study, and service. Most of all we want our children and families to experience God’s love and to pass it on to others. We offer a variety of age-appropriate activities and programs for infants through grade five including Sunday School and Godly Play worship, mid-week evening programs (Wonderful Wednesdays), and seasonal events such as Vacation Bible School, Advent, and Christmas activities, Easter programming, and regular service opportunities. Come join us! We’d love to meet you!

Our Mission — Growing in Faith Together

A quick tour of our children’s facilities shows the dedication we have for children. A committed staff and large group of volunteers work tirelessly to provide a children’s ministry that has become a model for other churches in our region.

We’re happy to answer any of your questions by email anytime at: dce@state-street.org

Check-in / All Ages

On your first visit, we ask you to complete a child registration card for each child. You may wish to download a registration card or childcare staff and volunteers will provide one when you arrive.

Click for the Nursery, Preschool, and Elementary registration forms.

Nursery (Infant to Toddler) — Nursery is provided during all services for children ages infant through 3 years. Our nursery staff is trained in CPR and first aid, and provides a safe and enriching environment for your infant or toddler. Activities include simple Bible stories, songs and play in our immaculate and inviting nursery. Infants & Crawlers are in Room 123. Toddlers & Twos are in Room 121.

Preschool (Ages 3 – PreK) —Preschool Sunday School meets in Room #121 from 10:00-10:50 a.m.It is led by a team of dedicated volunteers and features lively Bible stories, hands-on activities, and weekly family communication.

Sunday Mornings 10:00 – 10:50 am —G.R.E.A.T. Adventure Sunday School utilizes a Rotation Model format. Children study one Bible story per month, rotating to a different room each week where they experience the story in unique and engaging ways. Each room is creative, fun and designed for a specific activity. We emphasize biblical literacy in experiential and fun ways!

CyberSpace —Our computer lab, features six computers, a large teaching screen, and interactive Bible software.

Sunday Morning Live — This includes a large stage, puppet theater, and a variety of costumes and props. Children enjoy drama and puppetry as they act out the stories of our faith.

Raiders of the Lost Art — This is our jungle-themed art room. Here, children explore the story using a variety of art media including sculpture, pottery, painting, weaving, and more!

Solid Rock Café — This encourages kids to dig deep into the story as they cook and eat tasty treats.

Bible Quest — This challenges children to hone their Bible skills, explore geography on our map wall murals and review what they’ve learned through games.

Holy Word Theater — This features fun stadium seating, fresh popcorn, and movies about the monthly Bible story.

Discovery Station — This invites children to explore the wonders of God’s Word through science.

Moved by the Spirit — This is our music, movement, and missions room.

Godly Play Worship is an intentional time of praise and worship for children ages 4 through fourth grade. It is held during the 9:01 Experience and 11:00 service. This Montessori-based time of spiritual formation includes prayers, singing, signing, storytelling and a time for children to reflect on the foundational stories of our faith.

Children attend the main worship service with their families and are released during the service to attend Godly Play. After the 9:01 service, children are escorted to their Sunday school classrooms. After the 11:00 service, parents should pick up their child in the Godly Play room # 116. Godly Play Children’s Worship is coordinated by Lisa Faust.