Children’s Ministries

The Education and Mission Team plans and coordinates the educational opportunities and the mission outreach programs for children through grade six. Safe Sanctuaries allows our sanctuaries, classrooms, mission encounters, camps, retreats, and all spaces where we gather to worship and serve God to be places of trust. View our Safe Sanctuaries policy Safe Sanctuaries

Capes of Courage:

Spider Man was once told: “With great power comes great responsibility,” and for Second Saturday, that responsibility includes making capes for little heroes fighting a different kind of battle.

We may have “sampled” this quote from a 2014 news article, but Second Saturday is ready for the challenge! It’s not unusual for a child to dream about becoming a super-hero who saves the day! These little ones share one character trait with Superman or Wonder Woman: COURAGE! When children are sick and in the hospital, have disabilities, or are encountering physical or emotional challenges a Cape of Courage can go a long way in making a scary situation a little less so. These kids are the real super heroes of our world! Capes of Courage are designed to comfort and empower children during challenging times. They are distributed to hospitals, first responders, schools, and families.

Second Saturday’s Capes of Courage project is modeled after the Northampton United Methodist Church’s Kids Capes of Courage ministry that was started in 2013 by Debby Rowland. It’s estimated that nearly 3,000 capes are provided annually to children who need a little courage.

Second Saturday needs a super-hero. Are you that hero?

Donate your time! Join us on the Second Saturday of each month or cut patterns and sew from home!

Donate gift cards! Gift cards from JoAnn Fabric or Hobby Lobby are the most useful.

Donate Fabric and Notions! We need:

Juvenile Cotton Fabric (Boys and Girls) NO SMALLER than 1-1/3 YD Cut

Solid Flannel Fabric NO SMALLER than 1-1/3 YD Cut

Felt Squares of all colors

Sew-on Velcro, any color

Thread, any color, beige, or white

Disappearing Fabric Marking Pens or Pencils

Donate Money: Please make your checks out to Lancaster First United Methodist Church for Second Saturday.

For more information on this new project, please contact Gina Pressler or Judy Kraft.

Children’s Discipleship Fall Kick-off is scheduled for Sunday, September 12^th. The effects of COVID have created quite a few changes in Children’s Discipleship. Some for the better; and some not so much. Here is a snapshot of what you can expect:

EPC registration forms are now available in the Parlor to register your child for Children’s Programming. We must have a form completed for each child who is in a classroom on Sunday morning. Please return completed forms to Judy Kraft or to the church office.

Classroom check-in is back in Room 11B. COVID-19 screening or temperature taking is not necessary. Please sign your child in on the appropriate class roster and complete a name tag/pick-up tag for your child. Don’t lose the pick-up tag; otherwise you will need to present a photo ID to pick up your child after class. At this time there is no need for on-line pre-registration.

As of the writing of this article, Fairfield County is experiencing a HIGH rate of COVID-19 transmission. Currently masks are not required but are highly encouraged for children and adults who are not vaccinated. Disposable masks and hand sanitizer along with surface sanitizing cloths will be available in each classroom. We will also be encouraging social distancing. If you or anyone in your family feels ill, please keep everyone home. This applies to all Children’s Discipleship activities.

Childcare for children age four and under will be in room 12 on the 1^st floor during the 9:00 and 10:30 service. Please do not ask if older children can join this class. This is for the safety of the younger children.

PreK—1^st Grade and 2^nd—5^th Grade: *IMPORTANT!* As of this printing we only have enough teachers to staff 2^nd-5^th grade class at the 10:30 service. Until we have enough volunteers and teachers to staff the 9:00 and 10:30 PreK-1^st grade classes and the 9:00 2^nd-5^th grade class, these classes are on hold. Please consider helping in these classrooms so our little ones can learn about Jesus. If you would like to volunteer, contact Judy Kraft at 740-653-3330 or judykraft@love-first.org

The PreK—1^st Grade Class is located in Room 11A on the 1^st floor. Please check-in your child in Room 11B prior to the beginning of service. Children at the 9:00 a.m. service will go directly to their classroom. Children at the 10:30 service will go with their parents to the Sanctuary and will be dismissed to their classroom following the Children’s Moment.

The 2^nd—5^th Grade Class is located in the Castle Room Adjacent to the Fellowship Hall. Please check-in your child in Room 11B prior to the beginning of service. Children at the 9:00 a.m. service will go directly to their classroom. Children at the 10:30 service will go with their parents to the Sanctuary and will be dismissed to their classroom following the Children’s Moment.

If you have questions or just want to talk, please feel free to contact Judy Kraft. She is happy to hear from you. Also watch First Church’s social media accounts and your e-mail inbox for information if COVID-19 protocols change.