Children’s Sunday school

Children ages three years through 5th grade can join us for outdoor Bible stories, songs and games. For the fall, all drop off and pick up will be at the Colorado 1 Entrance located at the back of the church.

3rd – 5th Grades

3rd Grade Sunday School is the first introduction to the Bible and how to use it – a very exciting year! We learn the books of the Old and New Testament, perform 2 plays each year and test our Bible knowledge in the “Are You Smarter Than a Third Grader” competition with parents.The 4th – 5th Grade class utilizes the “Grow, Proclaim and Serve!” Cokesbury curriculum as a guide for parts of the year. As a special tradition, the class studies “Feasts and Festivals” learning about weekly Jewish worship traditions. This class plays an integral role with our homeless Manna Bag ministry by filling bags and writing notes of encouragement and sharing God’s love.

Childcare

Childcare is available on Sundays for both church services from 8:45 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. OR 9:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. for infants through 3 years old. Childcare can also be arranged for church events with advanced notice. Reservations outside of Sunday mornings are made by emailing childcare@fumcaustin.org, and are not final until confirmed.

Our paid staff is trained to give loving and professional care for your child while you enjoy church worship and activities. We run background checks on all staff members, and each room is staffed with at least one person with CPR and First Aid certification.

Our childcare rooms are located on the first floor of the Education Building (room numbers indicated by the EDU prefix).

Our youngest age group spends time exploring God’s love and relating to others through simple Bible stories. “Grow, Proclaim, Serve!” curriculum incorporates Bible stories, activities, crafts, media, and games into a full faith experience for children.

Nursery (Infants-18 months) – EDU Room 103
Beginning with our youngest disciples, our caring staff models God’s love. We know that experiencing unconditional love through relationships helps children develop the trust and confidence they need to later explore a more abstract relationship with the Divine.

Toddlers & Twos (18 months – 3 years) – EDU 104
Based on the individual child’s readiness, he or she transitions to the toddler room. Here we introduce the discipline of communal snack, sing Bible songs and work in free-choice play centers. Children also practice the important relational skills of sharing, taking turns, and spending time away from parents.

Worship

At FUMC, we don’t have a separate worship time for the children. This is a very intentional choice. Children are a part of our church family and we share the responsibility for nurturing their spiritual needs. By welcoming them at our church’s most sacred moments, children learn that nothing can separate them from the love of God. By worshiping together with our children, we pass on our traditions for praising God through the sacraments, music, proclaiming and hearing the good news, and offering our gifts and prayers. Children are encouraged to participate in the service as much as they are able, finding hymns and responses, standing and sitting with the rest of the congregation, coming to the chancel area for Time with Young Disciples and learning prayers and responses.

We believe that it is important for parents to grow and be fed in their faith as well. For families with infants and toddlers, we know that parents can best worship when their children are safe and happily engaged in our childcare rooms. When children reach about four or five and they are ready, we encourage parents to begin bringing them to one of our worship services on a regular basis.

Worship Services

Sanctuary 

• 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Traditional worship service
• Holy Communion is celebrated every week at the 9:00 a.m. service and on the first Sunday of the month at the 11:00 a.m. service.

Family Room

For parents that wish to remain close to their infants and toddlers while still attending worship, a Family Room, furnished with rocking chairs, toddler toys, and a changing table, is available behind the sanctuary balcony. Large windows and speakers provide access to the service.