Help us to kick off a new year of Christian education on the Sunday after Labor Day! Greeters at the doors of each building will help you to locate appropriate classrooms: Luther Building - nurseries, preschool, Grades 1 -2; Knox Building - Grades 3 - 5.

Church School classes for children ages 4 and up will not meet on the Sunday after Christmas, Memorial Day weekend, July 4th weekend, and Labor Day weekend. All ages are urged to worship together on those Sundays.

Children who are two by August 31 are promoted from the nursery to Church School. Teachers use Bible Quest for Toddlers and Twos, a curriculum that offers activities to nurture the spiritual lives of our youngest church schoolers through story, song, prayer, and play.

Ages three through fourth grade use Live B.I.G. – an exciting curriculum that encourages children to hear, see, and live their belief in God through:

Coming to know Jesus and the Bible

Encouraging caring relationships with others

Providing opportunities for praise and worship

Valuing God’s creation

Fifth graders begin a two-year study of the Bible to prepare them for Confirmation. As fifth graders, they journey through the Old Testament, reviewing familiar stories and learning new ones. Our goal is for them to learn of and experience this God of the Hebrew Scriptures as their God.

When composing class rolls, boy-to-girl ratios, classroom size, special learning needs, and a cross section of schools and neighborhoods are all considerations. Please help the children experience the wider church community and help the church school planners by cooperating with these assignments. Class rosters will be posted by each door to assist you in locating your children's classroom. Children must reach the appropriate age level on or before August 31.
Contacts: Ages 2-5 - Gwen Whiteman (staff); Grades 1-8 - Lynn Springfield (staff)

Help Your Child Learn by Bringing an Offering!
Parents help children understand that we bring offerings to further the work of the church and to help those in need. Children in grades 1 - 7 choose two annual projects for their offering money, one for our church and one for our community or beyond.
Congregation & Parents… in partnership for Christian Education:

• Attend regularly!
• Know the names of your child's teachers. Help your child learn them.
• Develop a time to review the weekly story card with family - in the car as you go home on Sunday, at a meal, or at bedtime, for example.
• Help your child establish the habit of bringing an offering.
• Volunteer to be an extra adult helper in the classroom from time to time.

Be sure to ask for a Children in Worship Kit and a Children's Bulletin at every service.

Two's go to L102 for the 11:00 hour. Children in 3- and 4-year-old classes go to 11:00 childcare in L216. Kindergarten and first graders (and second graders through November) leave the 11:00 service before the sermon and go with the day's leaders to a Children in Worship class in L307.

Communion Workshop
Communion Workshop prepares children to participate in their first communion and takes place in September and mid-to-late January in C200 from 5:00-7:30 p.m. It is The workshop is led by the Children in Worship Committee and is targeted for third graders and older and a parent. Supper is included ($5). Registration is necessary (834-3425, ext. 216, or online at www.whitememorial.org). Childcare is provided by reservation; please bring a bag supper for children in childcare. Children will be welcomed to their first communion on first Sunday of the following month at the 11:00 a.m. worship service.
Contact: Lynn Springfield, staff (ext. 232)

Worship Workshop
Second graders and their parents are invited to participate in three worship workshops in November from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in Pickard Hall. The Children in Worship Committee will provide learning activities that include music, art, and games to help children learn about congregational worship and develop skills for participation. Second graders will be recognized in the 11:00 worship service, following the third worship workshop.
Contact: Lynn Springfield, staff (ext. 232)

Where Do Young Children Go During Worship?

Newborns (Birth-4 months): 8:15 - L103; 9:30 - L106; 11:00 - L103

Infants (Not Walking): 8:15 - L103; 9:30 - L103; 11:00 - L103

Younger Toddlers (Walking): 8:15 - L102; 9:30 - S101; 11:00 - L102

Older Toddlers (Born after 10/16/07): 8:15 - L102; 9:30 - L102; 11:00 - L102
Contact: Page King, Nursery Coordinator (staff)

Skating Parties
Second, third, fourth and fifth graders are invited to a skating party in mid-November and early March from 10:00 a.m.-noon at Jellybeans (1120 Buck Jones Road). Join us for fun and to build your circle of friends at WMPC! No reservations are necessary.
Contact: Lynn Springfield, staff (ext. 232)