Staff Contacts: 
Director of Young Family Ministry:
Rev. Jan Arnold
jarnold@fmhouston.com or 832-668-1862

Administrative Asst: Brendy Kenney
bkenney@fmhouston.com or 832-668-1879

A Baptism Class is offered on the third Sunday of the month at our Downtown Campus. If you are ready to consider baptism for yourself or your child, come participate in this helpful class that meets at 10 a.m. in the Cry Room.

This class will help you sort out and answer questions about this blessed event, from helping you to explore the meaning of the sacrament of baptism to learning about the practical details.

The Newborn Ministry Team would like to celebrate your family. Are you expecting? Are you planning to adopt? Do you know someone who is expecting? Would you like to be added to our prayer list of parents trying to conceive?

We would like to know your due date so that we can pray for you during your pregnancy. When your baby is born, we will place a Dutch cradle cross on the altar to share the good news with the First Methodist family. Please fill out the Registration Form below and turn it in to Brenda Kenney.  If you have any questions, you can contact Brenda at: bkenney@fmhouston.com or 832-668-1879.

For centuries the Dutch placed cradle crosses over the beds of their infant children that this symbol of the Christian faith might early become a part of the child’s consciousness. We affirm this wonderful tradition! A member of the Nursery Ministry Team will help to connect the cross with your family.

Transitioning into a new Sunday morning routine following the birth of a new little one can be complicated. The desire of our Newborn Team is to help growing families ease into this new routine. By assigning a volunteer to your family, we hope to answer questions, address special needs, highlight important information, and most importantly to pray for your family during this exciting time.

Additional Info: Expecting or Adoption Registration Form

Jesus said, “Anyone who welcomes a child in myname welcomes me.” Matt 18:5

There is Always Room for Children in Worship

A Guide for Parents and Friends of Children Who Come to Worship with Us

WELCOME to worship at First Methodist Houston. As you look around our Sanctuary, you will see that children are a part of our worshipping community. We celebrate the participation of young families in the life of the church and believe that children are active members of the First family. We make room for children in worship by:

Teaching in Sunday School and other special programs the importance of worship in the life of our Church family, Scheduling special opportunities for children to participate in worship in a variety of ways, Giving our children an opportunity to experience worship on their level, learn about the elements of worship, and prepare them to become an active part of worship with all of God’s people.

Being a parent is an awesome responsibility. Training your children to worship is one way to pay attention to the truly important and life-changing moments of life. Parenting in the pew helps you participate in the most important thing you can ever train your child to do: worship. Here are a few suggestions for helping your child feel a part of our worshiping family:

Concentrating on the sermon is the hardest part of the worship service for children of all ages. To help your child, you can ask the child to listen for stories. As the sermon begins, you can draw attention to it and ask a question. This can be the conversation on the way home. Turn about is fair play. Be prepared to answer their questions to see if you were focusing on the worship service. Teach your children to pray, beginning at a very young age. Encourage them to use their own words and to talk to God about things that concern them. Children need to see us at home and church as we pray out loud and kneel or sit in silence as we pray and listen for God’s guidance. Teach them to thank God and to pray for others.

The ABC’s

Arrive in time to find a good place to sit. Sit near the front to provide younger children with a better view. Have toddlers stand on the pews when the congregation rises. Keep an arm circled around them as you hold the Bible or bulletin for the child to see. Point to the words as the reading progresses.

Be aware of what will happen in the worship service. As soon as children can read at all, encourage them to hold their own Bible and bulletin. Have them watch for words that they know and join in at those times. Help them find the Scripture reading and follow along. Discuss worship in your home. Prepare children for any changes in the routine, such as communion Sunday. Take time to answer their questions.

Children should sit with you, the parent, and not friends. It is harder to pay attention to God when you are paying attention to you.

Staff Contacts:
Director of Children & Family Ministries:
Colleen Dillahunty
cdillahunty@fmhouston.com or 713-458-4711
 
Administrative Asst.: Sabitha Panthagani 
spanthagani@fmhouston.com or 713-458-4715

We truly believe that, "One generation will tell another of the mighty acts of God." Psalm 145:4  By passing on the stories of our faith to our children, we give them a glimpse of the abundant life God has promised for each of us. Our goal is to support and encourage families to live life as faith-full families - helping one another reach their full potential in Christ.

Family Ministry at First Methodist Houston's Westchase Campus includes:

Family Retreat • Fostering Faith  Rock Paper Sisters • Family Events

Other related ministries that you may also be interested in:

Children's Ministry • Mother's Day Out  Youth Ministry

Men's Ministry • Women's Ministry

FAMILY RETREAT - What is Family Retreat? It’s is fun...it will be (physically & spiritually) refreshing...you’ll have more fun than you can imagine! You’ll get to know other families from First Methodist Houston…..you’ll bond with YOUR family...you’ll reconnect with our Heavenly Father...you’ll reconnect with the great outdoors...you’ll enjoy getting to what matters – Jesus!

Recreation and re-creation is important to us all...play keeps us fresh...laughter keeps us young. And through it all, we come to know the joy of God’s love for each of us. The annual Family Retreat helps us to enjoy and appreciate all that makes us family ...individually and as the family of God...please JOIN US! The next retreat is February 12 -14, 2010. Click here to learn more.

For more information, contact Colleen Dillahunty at:cdillahunty@fmhouston.com or 713-458-4700.

The sheer size of the problem of abused and neglected children is too large for any one person, family or ministry to overcome. Thankfully, God knows this. We believe this is in part why God inspired James to command the church to look after orphans. (James 1:27) No other organization has the people and the power to reach every child in need like the church. We celebrate families walking this path.

We have a new small group for those involved in foster care, called Fostering Faith. The group is open to anyone touched by foster care, including those who are fostering, fostering-to-adopt or are considering foster care or foster care adoption. The group meets the second Sunday of the month at the Westchase Campus, Wesley Academy - Room 135 , from 5 - 6:30 p.m., and childcare is available upon request.

For more information contact Colleen Dillahunty at:cdillahunty@fmhouston.com or 713-458-4700.

"God is solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul." Psalm 62:2 Who we are We are a circle of friends brought together through our love of Jesus Christ and our love of scrapbooking and storytelling. We desire to share our faith in creative ways. Our name, Praise Rock Paper Sisters, embodies these traits: we build our foundation on the rock of Jesus Christ, we scrap with paper (traditional & digital), and we are sisters – encouraging and praying for one another. In Luke 19:40, Jesus says these words when confronting the Pharisees rebuking the joyful crowd when our Lord entered Jerusalem, "I tell you, if they keep quiet, the rocks will cry out." So, sisters, we have some work to do!

Be a part of this circle of Sisters We invite you to take our monthly scripture challenge, share prayers, praises and concerns, post your creations and join us in this walk of faith. You can join us virtually via our website at www.praiserockpapersisters.com. We also meet weekly for prayer, support and creative time.

For more information, contact Colleen Dillahunty at 713-458-4711 or cdillahunty@fmshouston.comor Summer Simmons at summer@sugargiggles.com.

Fellowship with other Christians is an important part of who we are as the family of God. Families that play together, stay together! Throughout the year we host family-friendly events such as: pool parties  sporting events  picnics  seasonal activities  Worship experiences  annual Family Retreat

Watch UPCOMING EVENTS for the next fellowship event.

For more information, contact Colleen Dillahunty at: cdillahunty@fmhouston.com or 713-458-4700.