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WELCOME TO CHILDREN'S MINISTRY - WESTCHASE
At First Methodist Houston, we encourage children to grow in their relationships with God and His Word. We want families - all shapes and sizes - to grow in faith. Young or old, big or small, we all have something in common. We want to be like Jesus. Our desire is that as children, teachers and families journey together, God's hand is upon us and we will never be the same.
Children’s Ministry at First Methodist Houston’s Westchase Campus includes:
Fresh from Heaven-Newborns • Nursery & Preschool
Kid Connection • Revolution • Kid’s Praise
Baptism Class • Fostering Faith
Prayer Chapel • Children in Worship
Other related ministries that you may also be interested in:
Mother’s Day Out • Family Ministry • Special Needs
Sports & Recreation Ministry • Private School
If you have questions or need more information, please contact us.
Staff Contacts:
Director of Children & Family Ministries: Colleen Dillahunty –
cdillahunty@fmhouston.com or 713-458-4700
Nursery Supervisor: Jennifer Adams –
jadams@fmhouston.com or 713-458-4780
Administrative Asst.: Sabitha Panthagani –
spanthagani@fmhouston.com or 713-458-4715
Below you can link to UPCOMING EVENTS as well as view more information about CHILDREN’S MINISTRY.
UPCOMING EVENT - VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Join us for Vacation Bible School Westchase July 13 – 17, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CAMP E.D.G.E.- Experience and Discover God Everywhere! Click here for more information.
FRESH FROM HEAVEN - NEWBORNS
FRESH FROM HEAVEN - NEWBORNS. We want to celebrate with 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 Cradle Cross on the altar to share the good news with the First Methodist family. 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!
Getting into a new Sunday morning routine following the birth of a new little one can be complicated. Our desire is to help growing families ease into this new routine. By connecting 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.
Please fill out the Registration Form below and turn it in to Sabitha. If you have any questions, contact Sabitha at:
spanthagani@fmhouston.com or 713-458-4715.
NURSERY & PRESCHOOL
Excellent, structured and loving childcare is provided throughout Sunday morning for infants (8 weeks) to 4 years (Pre-kindergarten). Our Nursery Staff and volunteers share God’s love through age-appropriate curriculum and in the security of loving arms in a bright, safe and clean environment.
Nursery (during Worship times) and Sunday School for children pre-kindergarten and under is located through the glass doors of the nursery area in the Wesley Building. Our nursery staff is committed to showering your young one(s) with love, laughter and learning God’s Word. Young children learn best through repetition, routines, movement and predictability. So, Sunday morning is based on a familiar routine consisting of a Bible story, discussion, craft, weekly Bible verse, snack, worship and prayer – as is age appropriate. There is also be a parenting page and a coloring book page for each lesson that will be sent home with each child so that the learning continues.
Please fill out the Registration Form by clicking on the link below.
For more information contact Jennifer at: jadams@fmhouston.com or 713-458-4780..
KID CONNECTION
10:05 – 11 a.m.
Sunday Mornings
Kindergarten- Third Grade
“Believe in God, believe also in Me.” —John 14:1
The Sunday School class is the heart of our Children’s Ministry. Our mission is to connect children’s hearts to Christ. In partnership with parents, we seek to provide a dynamic, loving, safe, spirit-filled environment that will lead children into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Children’s Sunday School classes are located in the Wesley Education Building next to the Worship Center. Elementary rooms are through the glass doors to the right of the information desk.
Kingdom Kids (Kindergarten)
Where do we fit in the Kingdom of God? Even young ones have gifts to share! Church is a place where everyone belongs and no one is left out.
The J.A.M. (First & Second Grades)
J.A.M. means “Jesus And Me.” Making friends, talking with God and discovering that Jesus wants to be our forever friend is what it is all about!
B-I-B-L-E Adventure! (Third Grade)
We will dig into God’s Word—so that you will know the B-I-B-L-E as well as you know your scrapbook, schoolbooks and favorite book.
For more information, contact Colleen at: cdillahunty@fmhouston.com or 713-458-4700.
REVOLUTION
Fourth & Fifth Grade Student Ministry
Sunday Mornings and more
Revolution: A sudden or momentous change in a situation. Jesus was a revolutionary. He lived a radical life and touched many people, then died for our sins. But why was this so powerful? Love. Jesus led a love revolution and it is time we do the same. In Mark 12:31 Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves. In a time where the evils of society are becoming more and more common place, it is time for change and it begins with us. As The Beatles once said, all you need is love.
Our vision is to see students cross over from being merely followers of Christ to becoming disciples of the Word. This generation is at a crucial point where they can begin a revolution that can change the world, if they answer the call.
Please fill out the Registration Form available at the link below.
For more information, contact Colleen at: cdillahunty@fmhouston.com or 713-458-4700.
KID'S PRAISE!
Wednesdays
6 - 7 p.m.
Kid's Praise! is the Westchase Music Ministry for children in Kindergarten through 5th Grade. Through singing, movement, drama, and playing instruments, the children prepare music and participate in the worship services at the church. They also present a Christmas and spring musical each year. Kid’s Praise! meets September through May.
Please fill out the Registration Form available at the link below.
For more information, contact Colleen at: cdillahunty@fmhouston.com or 713-458-4700.
BAPTISM CLASS
A Baptism Class is offered on the first Sunday of the month at our Westchase Campus. If you are ready to consider baptism for yourself or your child, click here and navigate down to Special Topic Classes for more information.
FOSTERING FAITH
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. Childcare is available upon request.
For more information, contact Colleen at: cdillahunty@fmhouston.com or 713-458-4700.
PRAYER CHAPEL
Children’s Prayer Chapel
We all need to talk with God. Sometimes, we need to do something with our hands and body while we talk. The prayer chapel is designed with children (and children at heart) in mind. Just like we get to know our friends and family better by talking with them, we get to know God better through prayer. Prayer is how we talk to God. And as we talk and listen to God, we can become closer – forever friends. The hands-on activities provide another way for us to grow in our relationship with God.
For more information, contact Colleen at: cdillahunty@fmhouston.com or 713-458-4700.
CHILDREN IN WORSHIP
As you look around our Worship Center, 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 body of Christ. Worship is God-centered praise and adoration. The church’s worship service is also one way by which people learn what it means to be a Christian. Children learn worship by worshipping with their church family Sunday after Sunday.
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.
• 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 your friends. Even teens benefit from sitting with their
parents. Keep trips out of the Worship Center to a minimum
during worship. See to bathroom stops, etc., prior to worship
beginning.
Bringing children to worship may not always be easy, but it is an essential part of their growth as a follower of Jesus Christ. Free yourself from worrying about your children's behavior. Be open to receiving their ministry to you.
As we teach our children to love God, remember you are not your child’s only teacher. The Holy Spirit is at work in the life of your child. Enjoy your kids, let the church bless you, and trust God.
“Worship is the only thing we get to do forever.”
Robbie Castleman, Parenting in the Pew
If you have questions or need more information, contact Colleen at: cdillahunty@fmhouston.com or 713-458-4700.
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