Children's Ministries

The Children’s Ministry staff and volunteers welcome you and look forward to serving you.  Whether you are a member or a visitor, we are here to provide for your child’s needs during his or her time with us.

Mount Vernon believes in its children and places a high emphasis on education. Through Christian education, service projects, outreach opportunities, and fellowship children learn to love God and love people, and be “blessed to be a blessing.” By working together with the family, we strive to encourage children more fully to:
   • Experience the grace and love of God
• Grow in all aspects of faith development
• Know that they are valued children of God and of this congregation
• Recognize and contribute their own special gifts as a child of God

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL
9:45 - 10:50 each Sunday

Nursery Age - Birth to age 3
Our Infant, Two’s, and Three’s classes follow purposeful play, Bible story, song, and snack.  We provide two childcare workers in each room.  Our youngest children receive TLC in the nursery and toddler rooms (119 and 120) in the lower level of the North wing of the sanctuary building.

Children pre-K through 3rd grade learn the stories of our faith and about biblical life in our exciting Sunday school program called Bible Times.  This hands-on curriculum is based on the workshop rotation model and makes use of a variety of teaching/learning styles. At 9:45 a.m. children assemble in the “Marketplace” (also known as the Kirk Center on the lower level of the sanctuary building).  From there they are dismissed to their “workshops” for the day - art, drama, storytelling, science, video, cooking, Bible games, even gardening.  Each unit of Bible Times concludes with an outreach project for others. Our units for Fall 2007 are:

• August - September: Creation

• October:   David, as a boy

• Late October - early November: Advent: The Angels

• Mid November - Mid December: Christmas Pageant preparation

Our 4th and 5th grade children have a more “traditional” class together.  Even though they don’t rotate through workshops, they’ll encounter the great stories of the Bible through a variety of activities.  The Fall quarter will explore how God’s people follow God’s directions and how their lives reflect their faith. Having faith is following God; following God is having faith.

CHILDREN’S CHOIRS

We have two children’s choir - one for preschool children (ages 3-5) and one for children K-5th grade.  The children learn a variety of music that enriches their knowledge of God and their faith.  The choirs regularly share their music during worship.

WORSHIP AND COMMUNION PREPARATION CLASSES
All 1st and 2nd graders are invited to take part in this two-part class, offered in the early fall and then again in the winter.  The first session explores the “why we do what we do” part of Presbyterian worship.  The second session has, as its focus, the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.  The classes are for children and their parents and take place immediately following the traditional worship service.   For more information contact Julia Lehmann at 404-255-2211, ext. 212.   

CHILDCARE

Sundays from 8:45 AM-12:15 PM and for other events at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church.

 It is our desire to see that your child’s first spiritual building block is one that will last forever. We want your child to have fun, enjoy learning, feel loved, and be safe. Parents are welcome to observe, assist or participate in their child’s learning and care environment. We will provide two attendants on duty in each class. To further insure your child’s safety we conduct background checks on our staff.

Extended Hour
Children are encouraged to participate in worship. However, child care is available for children up to 1st grade. After the first part of the worship service, the children attending Extended Hour are dismissed and parents can walk them downstairs.  The children have a time of lessons and free play.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Fellowship

MVPC also provides plenty of opportunities for children and their families to have fun and to meet others. Some of these activities include a carnival called Ark in the Park and our annual Egg Hunt. 

Annual Christmas Pageant and Lunch
Each year we begin the season of Advent with a Christmas pageant that incorporates costumes, music and spoken lines to tell the story of Christmas.  The event begins with a congregational lunch and then everyone settles in to enjoy the children’s telling of the timeless story of God “with us”.

Vacation Bible School
Every summer, MVPC opens its doors to host Vacation Bible School for children ages 4-grade 5. It’s a wonderful week of fun activities where Bible stories take on a new and exciting meaning. Click here for more information on Vacation Bible School 2008.

 Mount Vernon Playtime
(Children’s Morning Out program)
A children’s morning out program for ages 6 months-2 years. Call 404-255-2361 for information about times and fees.

“Children are a gift from the Lord,
a reward from Him.”

~Psalm 127:3~