Deeply Rooted Children's ministry
“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Colossians 2:7
Shady Grove partners with parents to ensure that every child can experience, grow and share Christ’s Love in a safe, fun environment. Shady Grove Kids includes all children ages newborn-6th grade.
There are different ministries available for each age group that will assist the children to grow closer to Christ.
Ministries for Children
Sunday Morning Programs
Nursery (All Services)
The nursery is located on the upper level of the South Education Building. As you arrive you will receive a pager at the nursery station so we can locate you during worship and stay connected to you. Our nursery staff is led by Ladena Davis. We offer your little ones a safe and secure environment for our youngest of children. Loving care givers play, sing and read stories with infants and model God’s love through interaction.
Preschool Sunday School 9:45 AM
Sunday School for our Preschoolers occurs in age-based classrooms. Their teachers lead them in Bible stories, songs, and crafts each week that are interactive and age-appropriate.
Rotation Sunday School (K-4th) 9:45 AM
Children may attend Sunday School at 9:45 and then attend Worship the other hour with their families. Sunday School begins with a large group assembly time where the lesson for that day is taught. Afterward, children gather in small groups for art, games, cooking and storytelling related to the lesson. All age groups experience the same theme for four weeks and rotate from room to room to experience the story in a new and exciting way. This repetition helps to deeply root the story in the lives our children.
5th Grade Sunday School 9:45 AM
Our students step up into a small group experience different from the Rotation Sunday School in prior years. They go deep with Bible discussion using Wesley curriculum with consistent loving leaders.
6th Grade Confirmation 9:45 AM
Our students begin their Confirmation journey which includes a comprehensive view of who God is and what God is calling us to be. We discuss theology, Christian and Methodist history, service opportunities, and visit other worship experiences to gain a fuller understanding. At the end of the Confirmation class students are given an opportunity to respond to God’s grace by confirming their faith, baptism or reaffirmation of their baptism in a rite of worship usually held in May of each school year.
Sunday Night Programs
Sprouts (Preschool)
2:30-4 PM
On Sunday evenings, our preschoolers ages 3-5 years can join us for a time of music, learning, games and crafts downstairs in the children’s wing of the South building.
Clubhouse (K-4th Grade)
4-5:30 PM
Clubhouse is a place for children to participate in large group and small group ministry. It is filled with worship, Bible learning, games, fun and memory verse learning to help your child grow in faith. Our fourth graders participate in monthly visitation into the community as well.
Club 56 (5-6th Grade)
4-5:30 PM
Club 56 is a ministry that allows preteens to take the next steps in their faith to reach ownership. Students can participate in games, fun worship, service work, and small groups. This allows students to grow in their faith and begin to apply what they know and believe to their everyday lives.
Wednesday Night Programs
Preteen Bible Study
On Wednesday evenings during the school year, Preteens meet from 6:30 to 7:30 for Bible Study and once a month from 6 to 7:30 for service night.
Summer Programs
Vacation Bible School
Bible School is over the top at Shady Grove! We love children and we pull out all the stops this week to share God’s love. It is for ages 3 years through 5th grade. A free music cd is given to each family who registers for Bible School.
Swim and Study for Clubhouse Kids
Every Summer, beginning in mid-July for six weeks on Thursday evenings from 6-8 pm the Wallburg pool opens their pool house to Shady Grove kids for an hour of swim and an hour of Bible study. It is free and students get to engage in activities which develop a love for the Bible and learning.
Preteen Mission Trip
We design a preteen mission trip specifically for preteens each year. The trip is usually no more than two hours away. We stay at another UMC church while serving each day in the local community and leading VBS in the evenings. Preteens love stepping up in leadership each year.
Preteen Summer of Service
Each Wednesday evening the Preteens will meet to serve somewhere in the community.
Side by Side Ministry
Side by Side Ministry
Our goal is to include special needs children in our church community by providing loving support and a safe environment so they can participate as fully as possible and hear the life- giving message of Jesus Christ. We work with parents to assess the needs of children and coordinate a side by side buddy. The children are paired with a buddy who is a part of the Side by Side team, providing the opportunity to develop a relationship with the child and family in order to minister to them. The buddy will assist the child during their Sunday School class.
If you have any questions about our Children’s Ministry, Nursery, or any upcoming events, our Children’s Ministry staff would love to hear from you.