Children And Families At FVUMC
Helping Your Child Grow in God's Love
Cultivating the next generation of disciples who listen for and talk to God
Helping children grow into the people God created them to be
- Shepherding children from birth to 5th grade through nursery, Sunday School, small groups, and special events
- Sharing God's love with young disciples while sharing the stories of our faith
- Ministry is supported by a loving, caring team of staff and volunteers
- Engaging young people by tapping into their natural curiosity, wonder, and creativity
- Equipping caregivers for everyday discipleship
- Year-round opportunities for the whole family
Inspiring children's imagination about what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and to be the church of today and tomorrow.
Early Childhood
Wondering Together
K – 3rd Grade
Growing In Faith
4th – 5th Grade
Owning Their Faith
Sunday Mornings
What To Expect
Accessibility
Welcoming All
Children's Safety
Our Commitment
Rooted In Wesleyan Theology
Our United Methodist heritage keeps us centered on God’s grace and the lifelong journey of growing in love of God and neighbor. We want children to experience grace and learn how to live it every day.
A Mission Bigger Than Sunday
We believe church is a movement that transforms lives and communities. Kids learn that following Jesus means loving God and serving neighbors.
Programs That Meet Kids Where They Are
From nursery through 5th grade, children discover faith in age-appropriate ways through Sunday School, and special events.
Care For The Whole Family
We celebrate the many shapes of family and support caregivers with resources, encouragement, and connection. We're here to partner with your family.
A Community That Keeps Growing
Vital congregations help children live into who they are created and called to be and invite us all to participate in God’s work in the world.
Opportunities for children from birth to 5th grade
Infant - Preschool Age Kids
Welcoming infants, toddlers, and preschoolers as they discover the world around them. We help them learn about our God who loves them and a church family who supports them!
Nursery and Sunday School
Available for all 3 Sunday Morning Worship Services
- Nursery for children from birth to 2 years old: Trained staff and volunteers care for your infants and toddlers, providing love, safety, and opportunities for connection.
- Preschool-age Sunday School classes: Our leaders engage with your children and share the big story of God's love and our place in it.
Questions? Get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to discuss it all with you!
Seeds of Faith Preschool Weekday Half-Day Program
Serving families with children ages 2 through 5 including a transitional kindergarten class. With an emphasis on learning through play, our caring preschool teachers and staff encourage each child’s developmental, social, and spiritual growth.
Kids NPraise Music and Drama
Wednesday Afternoons 4:30-6pm with Spring and Fall Sessions
- Open to kids age 4 and older
- Includes choir, drama, creative movement, rhythm instruments, bells, Bible activities, and more!
- If a family member volunteers, younger children can stay at Camp Quay Kids and enjoy a fun playtime with others their age. (with coordination)
Each semester’s program culminates with a musical performance. Parents, caregivers, grandparents, older siblings, and others are invited to volunteer.
Kindergarten – 3rd Grade Kids
Early elementary years are a wonderful season of discovery, growth, and connection. Children are forming friendships, asking big questions, and beginning to understand what it means to live like Jesus.
We’d love to walk with your children and help their faith come alive in meaningful ways.
Sunday School
Available for all 3 Sunday Morning Worship Services
- Offering age-appropriate lessons and activities
- Sharing the tools for kids to develop relationships with God
- Building a foundational knowledge of our faith and its stories
Small Groups: K1ngdom Kids and Faithweaver Friends
Sunday Afternoons 4:30 to 6pm from September to May
- Relationship-building with peers, leaders, and Jesus
- Fun lessons and time for free play and snacks
- Growing their faith and their independence
Kids NPraise Music and Drama
Wednesday Afternoons 4:30-6pm with Spring and Fall Sessions
- For ages 4 to 8th Grade
- Includes choir, drama, creative movement, rhythm instruments, bells, Bible activities, and more!
- If a family member volunteers, younger children can stay at Camp Quay Kids and enjoy a fun playtime with others their age. (with coordination)
Each semester’s program culminates with a musical performance. Parents, caregivers, grandparents, older siblings, and others are invited to volunteer.
4th-5th Grade Kids
Growing in independence, skill, and faith every day, 4th and 5th-graders are leaders amongst their peers in Children’s Ministry. We help them grow through engaging weekly programs, special events, and serving opportunities.
Sunday School
Available for all 3 Sunday Morning Worship Services
- Offering age-appropriate lessons and activities
- Sharing the tools for children to deepen their relationship with God
- Supporting kids as they begin to own their faith
Small Group: Kids For Christ (KFC)
Sunday Afternoons 4:30 to 6pm from September to May
- Relationship-building with peers, leaders, and Jesus
- Fun lessons and time for fellowship and snacks
- Growing their faith and their independence
- Setting kids up well to transition into Youth Ministries
Kids NPraise Music and Drama
Wednesday Afternoons 4:30-6pm with Spring and Fall Sessions
- For children age 4 to 8th grade
- Includes choir, drama, creative movement, rhythm instruments, bells, Bible activities, and more!
- If a family member volunteers, younger children can stay at Camp Quay Kids and enjoy a fun playtime with others their age. (with coordination)
Each semester’s program culminates with a musical performance. Parents, caregivers, grandparents, older siblings, and others are invited to volunteer.
More Children's Opportunities
Ways To Serve
In addition to service activities as part of regular programming, children are welcome to serve with their parents, either on the children’s wing or on our other service teams!
Whether it’s helping in the garden or joining a Sunday morning hospitality team, we’d love your kids to get involved.
Scouting
FVUMC hosts a number of area scout groups at the church. For more information, visit the following:
- Girl Scouts: NC Coastal Pines (Pre-K to 12th Grades)
- Cub Pack 320 (Boys and Girls K-5th Grades)
- BSA Boy Troop 320 (Ages 11-17)
- BSA Girl Troop 320G (Ages 11-17)
Accessibility: So That All Kids Can Participate!
Our commitment to accessibility is expressed through our All God’s Children ministry. Our team is coordinated by staff and volunteers who have extensive training in meeting the needs of children (birth-5th grade) with unique learning needs. Through All God's Children, we offer:
- One-on-one buddies - offered (upon caregivers' advance request) for Sunday School, Sunday evening programming, and special events including VBS. We pair children who have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities with trained buddies to support their engagement in our programs. While buddies are not medical professionals, they can support children with their physical needs and help them participate.
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Sensory Regulation Supports:
- Headphones - noise-quieting headphones available upon request for worship or programming to support kids who are sensitive to auditory stimulation
- Fidget Objects - fidget objects available for worship and children's programming to help with focus, attention, and stimming needs
- Weighted Lap Blankets - weighted lap blankets available upon request to assuage overwhelm, anxiety, and panic
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Visual and Communication Supports - visual schedules created with pictures, icons, and/or words are used to support kids who benefit from transition support and who are better able to succeed when they know everything to expect. We often use visual schedules for the whole class. We can also create First-Then boards, choice boards, Social Stories, communication support flip books, and more. Often, we use non-verbal methods of communication to support neurodiverse children including communications boards on the playground.
- We are always willing to troubleshoot and find ways to help support all of God's children! We are not equipped to help with medical needs, tube feeding, or toileting needs, but are happy to partner with you to help keep children engaged and find ways for them to participate
All God’s Children: So That All Kids Can Participate!
Our All God’s Children ministry serves children (birth-5th grade) with unique learning needs.
- Upon caregivers’ requests, children are paired with a buddy to support them during classes and events.
- While buddies are not medical professionals, they can support children with their physical needs and help them participate.
Ministry for the Whole Family
Belonging That Feels Like You're Home
Getting involved in the FVUMC church family means that kids and caregivers build real relationships with people who know you by name and do life alongside you.
- Consistent leaders welcome your child each week
- Small groups help kids feel seen and safe
- Churchwide rhythms engage the entire family
Faith That Shapes Our Everyday Lives
Children learn the building blocks of our faith through scripture, prayer, worship, and service.
Together, they discover who God is calling them to be and learn how to live out their faith in all the places where they live, learn, and play.
- Sunday School that teaches God’s big story in engaging ways
- Special events that make learning joyful and memorable
- Resources for at-home discipleship
Support For Caregivers
We are on this journey with you, encouraging, equipping, and praying for your family. It takes all of us to shepherd the next generation of disciples.
- Quay Kids news for birth to 5th grade families
- Workshops and groups that speak to real-life parenting needs
Get to Know Us
Dr. Gabby McHarg
Director Children + Family Ministries
Elizabeth Johnson
Director of Seeds of Faith Preschool
Jennifer Harrenstein
Director of Music
Questions Families Ask
What ages are included in Children’s Ministry at FVUMC?
We serve children from birth to 5th grade with tailored spaces and experiences for each stage. Our Kids 'NPraise Music program goes up to 8th grade.
Get in touch to find help with a first time visit or to get more involved in our children's ministry offerings.
What do you offer for children during Sunday morning worship?
Children are welcome to attend worship with their family.
We also offer Children's Sunday School and Nursery which include age-appropriate lessons, music, and activities.
How will I hear about important updates for families?
We offer a periodic Quay Kids email newsletter for families. Use the "Subscribe to Our Newsletters" section below to get on the emailing list.
Many children's news and events announcements are posted here on the church website.
And don't forget to check out our Quay Kids social media https://www.facebook.com/groups/quaykids and https://www.instagram.com/quaykids_fvumc/ for family resources and news.
Where do I learn more about the preschool?
Seeds of Faith Preschool is FVUMC’s play based, Christian preschool serving ages 2 through 5 including a transitional kindergarten class. Visit our Preschool page to explore details and availability.
What is the bigger mission behind Children’s Ministry?
We are part of a church whose mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Your child is invited into that life changing story.
Get in touch to take your first step with us.