Growing our Garden
The foundations of our faith begin in our childhood. No child is too young to begin their faith journey and start a relationship with Jesus Christ. Even as infants and toddlers, our children are beginning to understand who God is and how we relate to God. We are, each of us, on a journey of faith that leads to a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ and his plan for us. Here at Shandon United Methodist Church it is our desire to help you and your child as you continue on this journey.

At Shandon, you’ll find a dynamic children’s ministry, for children from birth to sixth grade, offering children a path through the world that’s lined with the Christian values of faith, hope, charity and love. They’ll discover exciting, engaging and meaningful activities that will shape, mold and guide them on their spiritual journey forward. Rebecca Griffeth, Director of Children's Ministries, is available to help you or answer any questions that you may have. E-mail Rebecca or call her at 256-8383, ext. 105.

Shandon is a Safe Sanctuary congregation and is committed to the safety of our children and youth.

Listed below are some of the programs that we offer:

Nursery
 Nurseries are provided for both the 8:45 and 11:00 am worship services, and during the Sunday School hour for infants. Most church-wide activities and many special programs also offer childcare.

Crib rooms, toddler rooms and the 2-3 year old nurseries are staffed with trained, paid workers and parent volunteers. The rooms are large and inviting, and equipped with age appropriate toys and furnishings.

Childcare Coordinator Jenny Triplett works hard to ensure that our nurseries are well-staffed and safe environments for our children.

Sunday School
Sunday School begins at 9:45 am with classes for toddlers through sixth grade. (Infant nurseries are open and staffed by trained paid workers and loving volunteers.) Most of our classes use the "Exploring Faith" curriculum published by the United Methodist Church. All of our classes are team taught by parents and other caring adults who commit to teach for one year.
Children's classes

Youth and Adult classes also meet at 9:45 am.

If you are interested in becoming a Sunday School teacher, please contact Rebecca Griffeth. Training is provided for anyone wanting to share his/her faith by being a part of our teaching ministry.

Worship Services
Children are always welcome at worship services. Children’s bulletins and crayons are available at all entrances into the sanctuary. A special children’s sermon is given during most services at the front of the sanctuary where children are invited to come and listen. Children are welcome to take communion with their parents. Our church also participates in infant baptism during our worship services.

Children’s choirs participate in the worship services on a regular basis.

Once a year, sometime in the fall, we celebrate Children’s Sabbath. The Children’s Defense Fund began promoting these services nationally a few years ago and many denominations sponsor a service in their own tradition. This is a worship opportunity to celebrate the many gifts children bring to our world and to raise awareness within the worshiping communities of our need and responsibility to be advocates for children.

During a worship service in the early fall, we give Bibles to our third graders. During a worship service in the spring, we give Bibles to our three year olds.

Children's Church
Shandon offers Children's Church during the worship hours as a formative Christian Education experience for our children ages three- to five-years.

Children participate in worship for the first part of the service and then leave the service for Children's Church after the children's sermon. We understand that some families choose to worship together, and therefore your child does not have to participate in Children's Church.

We currently use the "LIVE B.I.G." curriculum by Cokesbury. This is an exciting new curriculum that includes a short DVD component to enhance the learning process through songs, dance, and even virtual field trips.

Yearlong Activities
We strive to offer a variety of experiences throughout the year to help children and parents prepare for worship. These learning experiences are designed to help children and parents understand worship and why we do what we do.

UM6F: Sixth Grade Confirmation Class
Sixth grade students are given the opportunity to explore what it means to be followers of Christ and to be church members through class experiences, a retreat, special projects, and discussions with church leaders. In the spring, a student may choose to affirm his/her baptism and make a commitment to discipleship by participating in a service of confirmation.

Scouting
Shandon offers both boys and girls an opportunity to be involved in the Boy Scout and Girl Scout of America programs. These programs help young people develop character, leadership skills and citizenship as well as self-worth and potential in a fun, adventure-filled and nurturing environment. Contact Rebecca Griffeth or call her at 256-8383, ext. 105 for more information.

Fun Things for Kids
Vacation Bible School is held each summer with a new theme each year. Designed to provide a fun week of learning and fellowship that encourages growth in children’s faith and relationship with God, VBS also offers arts and crafts, games, music, prayer and mission opportunities.

Day Camp is also held each summer and is an opportunity for children to spend time in God’s wonderful creation and growing in their appreciation of nature. This is an opportunity for children to worship God in the great outdoors. Creating campsites, swimming, music, and crafts are all part of the fun during the week.

Seventh and eighth graders also attend Day Camp as counselors-in-training. With the assistance of adults, senior high youth serve as counselors.

Family Movie Night The Family Council sponsors a family movie night once a quarter. We show a movie that is appropriate for children of all ages and serve supper and popcorn during the movie. Parents and children bring their own camping chairs or sleeping bags and enjoy the movie with friends and family.

Candyhouse Workshop The first Sunday in Advent the Family Council sponsors Christmas Creations. The highlight of this event is for families to make a candy house together. There are many other craft opportunities, Christmas caroling and a box supper. We end the evening with a worship service. This has become a very special way for our church to start the holidays and begin our Advent preparations for Christmas.

Easter Egg Hunt Each year the church provides an Easter Egg Hunt for all children birth through third grade. We hide eggs all over the church yard and once the children find the eggs they can turn them back in for a bag of surprises. We have a scavenger hunt for the older kids at the same time that they enjoy. We end our time together with supper.

Butterfly Event During the season of Lent, we use the powerful symbol of the butterfly to help us celebrate the miracle of Easter. The children, along with the entire church, participate in a butterfly experience giving us a visible symbol of the new life of Easter.