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Welcome! We want your child to feel welcome at the Houghton Wesleyan Church. We
desire to partner with families in cultivating spiritual growth in our children.
We want children to know that they are loved, valued, and to be nurtured in
their faith thus developing a passion for loving and following God.
VALLEY PRESCHOOL 2010-2011
application
Valley Preschool celebrated its 41st year of educational ministry to 3, 4,
and 5 year olds. Valley Preschool is a quality early childhood education program
that is designed to augment home experiences by providing opportunities for
social, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and physical growth and development.
Christian teachers and staff provide educational experiences that prepare
children to successfully transition from home to kindergarten. Classes meet from
9-11:45 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from September to May.
Children’s Ministries Registration
Wednesday evening,
September 15, in the Community Room/Gym on the first
floor of the Christian Education Building from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
The registration includes the following ministries:
AWANA Puggles & Cubbies for children ages two through four
Girls’ AWANA Club for girls grades Kindergarten through 6th grade
Boys’ AWANA Club for boys grades Kindergarten through 6th grade
Children’s Choir for children grades 1st-6th
There is a $5.00 registration (donation) fee per child in the AWANA Puggles and
Cubbies, Children’s Choir, Girls’ AWANA, and Boys’AWANA Club with a cap of
$20.00 per families with multiple children. This registration (donation) fee is
to help cover the cost of handbooks and other supplies for the year.
Children's Choir
For Children in Grades 1-6: Children's Choir meets after school
beginning in September.
Children’s Ministry Opportunities
Get Connected
We invite you to prayerfully consider involving yourself in one of the many
ministries of our church. It is always exciting to be a part of God’s work. We
have a number of opportunities for service in our children’s ministries. We look
forward to talking with you about these opportunities and the best fit for you
and the gifts God has given you. Please contact any of the following Ministry
Leaders or Pastor Cindy for more information about our children’s ministries.
Volunteers are needed in:
Nursery Ministry Leader: Jan Schilke
Nursery Volunteers for the 8:20, 9:40, and 11:00 a.m.
Sunday morning worship services
Children’s Church Ministry Leaders: Stephanie Wittenrich, Jill Wade,
Bitsy Mayhle, and Elaine Tooley
Teachers and Assistant Teachers for the 8:20 and 11:00
a.m .worship services
Sunday School Ministry Leader: Robin Pawling
Leader/s for Primary Song time which meets the first 20
minutes of Sunday School, and substitute teachers for the college
break weekends. Sunday School meets from 9:40-10:40 on Sunday mornings
AWANA Puggles &Cubbies Ministry Leaders: Donna Blew and Maegan
Stadelmaier
Teachers and Assistant Teachers for various ages from
6:30-7:45 on Wednesday Evenings
Girls’ AWANA Club Ministry Leaders: Jeri Mahurin and Jessica Romance
Teachers and Assistant Teachers for various grade
levels between Kindergarten and 6th grade from 6:30-7:45 on Wednesday evenings
Boys’ AWANA Club Ministry Leaders: Emily, Brandon Hoffman & Tim Nichols
Teachers and Assistant Teacher for various grade levels
between Kindergarten and 6th grade from 6:30-7:45 on Wednesday evenings
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1
Corinthians 12:27
Wesleyan Kids for Missions
WKFM
Corner: “Sow Seeds--Grow" Yes, Wesleyan Kids for
Missions meets
once a month during the Sunday School hour, 9:40 to
10:40. This year we'll be studying Peru, Cambodia,
Brazil, Nicaragua, Panama, Fotizo People, Nune
People, and together let's "Cultivate Missions in
Kids!"
Children's Church
Have you ever realized that there are consistently a large number of families
with small children that attend out church? You may be wondering how, in view of
this, church stays so quiet on Sunday mornings. The answer is that many of our
preschool-aged children make their way to Children’s Church.
Once they arrive they enjoy singing Bible songs. Those requiring hand motions
such as “Deep and Wide,” “This Little Light of Mine” and “My God is So Big” are
definitely fan favorites. This year we have also introduced an array of musical
instruments including finger cymbals, triangles, wooden blocks, tambourines and
various shakers and rattles which the kids love to keep the beat with—at least
their own. Not to mention they provide good cover for those of us leaders who
fall under the category of vocally challenged!
Singing is followed by a Bible story. After seeing such a great response last
spring to using a flannel graph to assist in illustrating the lessons, we
decided to invest in a vibrant and extensive new set made up of several hundred
beautiful pieces. They are used every week. The children become more engaged in
the story as they expectantly await their turn to add their piece to the scene.
Prayer and snack time follow a craft or coloring page, as well as play time. As
you can see from the kids’ quotes below, these are Children’s Church equivalents
to lunch and gym.
Our littlest church-goers also enjoy a variety of special events for the
holidays. At Easter they participate in the “Running of the Palms” and at
Christmas they are invited to “A Birthday Party for Jesus!”
We have a great contingent of energetic teachers. We are extremely grateful for
the commitment and care they put into this ministry, as well as, their love for
children. Most of our workers are college students, many not from the local
area. Parents and others who might cross paths with these individuals, let’s
make sure we let them know how much their participation and dedication means to
our church with words of appreciation, encouragement and thanks. If you haven’t
already, please take a moment to introduce yourselves to them deepening their
connection with our church body.
Quotes from Kids:
Emma: “I like Nicole.”
Luke: “I like to play games”
Nicole: “I like to color in Children’s Church”
Eli: “I like coloring, playing games, having snacks and playing with play-dough
and puzzles.
Quotes from Teachers:
“I love helping with the kids at Houghton Wesleyan, through working with them I
am reminded of the joy of a “child-like faith.” I leave Sundays filled with the
love of God shown through the love of the children I work with.”
“I miss the children at my home church and wanted connection with families.”
“My favorite thing about Children’s Church is seeing the excitement that the
children have really encourages and makes me get excited about life.”
“My favorite moments are when I can talk individually with the children and get
to learn a little about them and from them.”
We ask for your continued prayers for this area of ministry in our church.
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