About Our Programs:

Children’s programs at Central are very different from the Sunday  School you may have attended as a child. We do not start with the assumption that children are interested in learning about the Bible just because it is the Bible. We start with the children’s concerns and needs and then move to the Bible. We believe that children do feel a natural hunger for the spiritual and we strive to nurture it. We are eager to make noise, be creative, move around, and be messy. We strive to help the children be searcher, ask their own questions, and support them in finding their answers.

Nursery:

Our nursery is a clean, warm, and welcoming place with experienced and trained staff ready to take care of your children’s every need. The nursery is open on Sundays from 8:30-12:30 a.m. and is available for ages 0-6 years.

Education Hour:

Our education hour (9:15 -10:15 a.m.) is available for ages 3-18 starting the Sunday after Labor day weekend to mid May every year.  This program meets on the third floor, is divided by grade level, and emphasizes the development of Biblical /theological understanding.  Our Preschool to Kindergarten class uses a Montessori based method to introduce Bible stories with the use of beautiful, handmade wood story telling pieces in a curriculum designed to stimulate the mind, heart, and body in learning. The first to fifth grade classes are using the Presbyterian “We Believe” curriculum to learn the classic beliefs and scriptures of our faith. The youth class meets in the Tower room and changes topics every month.

Parent Participation:

Parents all participate. You can do your volunteer involvement by donating your time to teach, serve on a committee, collect recyclables, bring snacks, help with Vacation Bible School, build or sew, and much more. Parents are asked to donate just a few hours a year so it isn’t too much for anyone.   

During Worship:

During worship, we welcome your children into our service and offer them opportunities to participate in the service every Sunday. We also offer you support by providing rocking chairs in the sanctuary, amply staffing a nursery for ages 0-6 years, providing activity bags (in the narthex), and offering Worship Enrichment experiences for ages 3-18 on 2-3 occasions a month. The Worship Enrichment schedule will be published in the bulletin and newsletter.  

Worship Enrichment:

Worship Enrichment (ages 3-18) is unique to Central.  Our Children’s ministry director, Jackie Kendall-Gebel, writes the curriculum for this experiential worship experience and education program. This opportunity is offered during the last half of the worship service 2-3 times a month. This is not Sunday School and the emphasis is not on Biblical knowledge. This is meant to complement the education hour classes and worship service experience. In this broadly-graded large group experience, we will be exploring concepts experientially that aren’t always covered directly in education hour: worship, theology, spiritual disciplines, sacraments, stewardship, mission, community building, world religions, justice and peacemaking skills, and more.

Special Events:

Special Events for you and your family will welcome you into our midst.  There is our extremely popular Vacation Bible School (held for a week of  June each year) for ages 3-18.  We offer the annual All church picnic in July and our weekend All Church Retreat for everyone in August. These are great ways for you to make friends and have a great time!

Family Ministries:

Our special family ministries will leave you speechless with delight! Stay at home parents will love the support of the Parents of young children  group that meets monthly and you will love the special winter playdates at the church. We offer Love and Logic parenting classes and offer a CD library.  Want some support for your marriage? We offer relationship enhancement classes from P.R.E.P. and Marriage Communication Labs annually offered by Jackie and Dave Kendall-Gebel. Individual coaching time can also be scheduled. We think you will enjoy the variety and abundance of resources!

Other Classes for Children and Teens:

Red Cross Babysitting Certification Classes, FACT, and BAT classes will be offered to children and teens periodically by Carrie Gebel.