Children

Age-level nurseries are available on Sunday mornings for infants-age 3. Nurseries open on Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and are available during Sunday school and worship until around 12:15 p.m. Nurseries are staffed with trained, paid workers and parent volunteers. Rooms are large and equipped with age-appropriate toys and furnishings. Childcare is available for most church-wide activities and many special programs for both younger and older children.

Shandon places a strong emphasis on fostering children in Christian faith. Children are always welcome and encouraged to worship with their families at all of our worship services and whichever service feels comfortable for them. We recognize the developmental needs of children vary. Nursery is provided during worship for infants-age 3, and children’s Bibles, crayons, and activity books are available at entrances to worship spaces to assist parents in engaging children during worship.

We also have a special children’s time during worship services. Children ages 3 and older are invited up front for an encouraging, age-appropriate Children’s Message. Following the Children’s Message, children may return to their seats and worship with their families. Our nursery is also open for children ages 4 and 5 after the Children’s Message. Parents are welcome to leave worship and take their children to the nursery in the DuBose Building, room 105 if they choose.

Sunday school is the foundation block for discovering God, building friendships, and nurturing, exploring and growing in Christian faith. Children, age 2-6th graders, meet in grade and age-level classes on Sundays from 9:45-10:45 a.m. Classes are filled with inspiring, age-appropriate and fun Bible story adventures and engaging activities.

Virtual Sunday School: We love seeing everyone in person but this isn’t fully possible at this time. Our virtual Sunday school classes offer children fun, interactive and engaging Bible studies and activities. For more information, contact hcorley@shandon-umc.org or scurran@shandon-umc.org.

Wonderfully Made offers children with special needs a safe, educational, encouraging and loving environment within the life of the church family. The class, for children ages 4-14 with varying disabilities, shares God’s love for all children on Sundays from 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Advance registration is needed for this class.

Wonderfully Made also provides a supportive environment for families of children with special needs and advocates for special needs children. For more information about Wonderfully Made, contact Rev. Shannon Bullion at sbullion@shandon-umc.org.

Our Children’s Choirs introduce children to the wonderful world of expressing their faith through music. The choirs sing at various church services and special events throughout the year. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings, September-April: 

Cherub Choir – k4-1st grade. 6:00-6:30 p.m.

St. Nicholas Choir – grades 2-6. 6:00-6:45 p.m.

For more information, contact Rev. Eddie Huss, Minister of Music, at ehuss@shandon-umc.org.

Shandon fully embraces the responsibility and joy of nurturing children on their faith journeys. Each year children lead and participate in Sunday morning worship services for Children’s Sunday.

Shandon presents gift Bibles to 3-year-olds and 3rd graders to help them discover the Bible and encourage regular Bible study. 3-year-olds receive a Beginners Bible Storybook and 3rd graders receive an age-appropriate Children’s Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Throughout the year, Sunday school teachers guide these children in lessons on how to use their Bibles.

Children’s Chapel series offers children, age 4 – 1st graders, the opportunity to learn about worship using age-appropriate activities. Children gain a better understanding of the elements and purpose of worship and how to more fully and reverently participate. Parents are expected to join their children for these preparation classes held during worship services in September.

At Shandon, children experience living out their faith and making a difference in the lives of others through a variety of service activities. Through activities such as collecting shoes for the families of El Salvador, sharing sing-a-longs with residents at a local nursing home and collecting food for Harvest Hope to provide local families with food, children experience being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Children are encouraged to live out Christian values in all parts of life. At the beginning of each school year, children receive a special blessing for their backpacks along with a backpack tag to support and encourage them as they attend school.

Through a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities, children experience lots of exciting, fun adventures that encourage friendships and growth in their relationship with God.

Through activities such as Vacation Bible School and Day Camp, Kids Night Out, The Hunt (4s/5s), FS (1st/2nd), TFF (3rd/4th/5th), the Greatest Christmas Party and summer activities – children enjoy a variety of arts and crafts, games, music and drama, fishing, climbing, canoeing, water slides and more.

Shandon sponsors basketball teams for 2nd-12th graders, providing both children and teens opportunities for Christian sportsmanship. Grade-level teams compete in a local church league during the basketball season, October through late February.

“Scouting is fun, hands-on learning and achievement that puts kids in the middle of the action and prepares them for today – and for life.” In a fun, adventure-filled and nurturing environment, Shandon hosts both Cub Scouts for kindergarteners-5th graders and Scouts for 6th-12th graders helping young people develop character, leadership skills and citizenship as well as self-worth. The United Methodist Church long ago recognized that Scouting offers another setting for ministry to children and youth. Troops are open to new Scouts, transferring Scouts and anyone interested in learning more about the Scouting program.

Scout Troop 37 has a rich history. The Scout Charter was initiated April 1, 1948, making the Troop 70+ years old. The Troop is part of the Congaree District and the Indian Waters Council, and is honored that over 130 young people have completed the rank of Eagle Scout while a member of Troop 37. For more information, contact Scoutmaster Jeff Schatz at schatz@sc.edu.

Each year, through a variety of learning activities and the guidance of caring mentors, clergy and staff, 6th graders explore Christian and Methodist beliefs and prepare to become full members of the church. UM6F, packed with games, team building and other fun activities, begins in the fall of the school year. Confirmation is January-April.

Communication with children can sometimes be difficult, especially when it involves human sexuality. Shandon hosts the Created by God workshop for rising 6th graders and their parents each August. Using the Created by God: Tweens, Faith and Human Sexuality student and parent guides by Dr. James H. Ritchie, Jr., this workshop guides and informs children about God’s plan for them as sexual beings within His creation.