Children’s Ministry programs are offered at the following times for our four campuses:

Pelham Road

• Saturday, 6:00 pm; Sunday, 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Nursery, Preschool and Camp Grace (1st-4th grade) programming provided during all services. Preschool Quest and Up & Out programming provided during Sunday 9:15am and 11:15am services.

Powdersville

• Sunday, 10:30am
  Nursery, Preschool, and Camp Grace (1st-4th grade) programming
  

Downtown

• Sunday, 9:15 am
  Nursery, Preschool, and Camp Grace (1st-4th grade) programming provided
• Sunday, 11:15am
  Nursery and Preschool programming provided

If you’re planning on visiting Grace Church for the first time and have children who will participate in our Children’s Ministry, we hope this page of questions and answers will give you an idea of what you can expect when you arrive on campus. If you have questions that are not addressed here, please e-mail us at children@gracechurchsc.org.

When is Children’s Ministry offered?

We offer children’s programming at each of our four campuses:

Pelham Road Campus: We offer all Children’s Ministry programming (infant through 4th grade) during our Saturday service (6pm) and both Sunday services (9:15am and 11:15am).

Powdersville Campus: We offer all Children’s Ministry programming (infant through 4th grade) during our 10:30am service.

Downtown Campus: We offer all Children’s Ministry programming (infant through 4th grade) during both Sunday services (9:15am and 11:15am).

Golden Strip Campus: We offer all Children’s Ministry programming (infant through 4th grade) during our 9:30am service.

How do I check my child in?

If you are visiting Grace Church for the first time, stop by one of the Welcome Desks in our Children’s Center. There, a volunteer will assist you in checking your child in to an age-appropriate class and directing you to that classroom. Your child will receive a sticker and a check-in slip with their name and photo on it. Your child will wear the sticker, and you will give the check-in slip to the child’s Small Group Leader.

To expedite the check-in process, feel free to print our a copy of the Check-In Sheet and bring this form with you on your visit. Please remember to list any important information that we should be aware of, such as allergies, special needs, etc.

Do I need to check my child out after the service?

Yes, please check your child out at one of the computer kiosks or Welcome Desks, and give the printed check-out slip to the teacher at your child’s classroom.

Once your child is in our computer system, check in can be completed at any computer kiosk, and you can take your child to his or her classroom.

What if I need to be contacted during the service about an issue?

Each household is assigned a 2- to 4-digit Parent Pager household number, which can be found on the parent form that prints out at check in. If there is an issue where our volunteers feel it is necessary to summon a child’s parent, the child’s household ID number will appear on the lower right hand corner of the screens in the Worship Center at both the Pelham Road and Downtown campuses. If a parent is paged at our Powdersville campus, the household ID number will appear on the smaller LED screens in the Worship Center.

What if my child has special needs?

It is our desire to come alongside your family, so that children are able to participate in Children’s Ministry programming and allow parents the freedom to worship. If you have a child with special needs, please list any important information regarding their care on the Check-In Sheet.

For more information regarding our Children’s Ministry programming and how it relates to children with special needs, please click the tab above.

Who are your Children’s Ministry volunteers?

Our volunteers come from all walks of life. Some have children of their own, others are college students or young singles. We also have children and students who volunteer. Some volunteers serve every week, and others alternate weeks, but we try to ensure children have a consisten group of leaders in the Small Group time.

What security measures do you have in place to provide for my child’s safety?

The check-in/check-out system used at our campuses ensures that each of the more than 900 children who participate in our Children’s Ministry are released only to an authorized parent or guardian at the end of the service. In addition, we run background checks on our regular classroom and Welcome Team volunteers. We take further precautions by allowing only female lead volunteers to change diapers and assist young children to the bathroom. These security measures, as well as our Well Child Policy, General Security guidelines, and more are covered in our Safety Plan which are specific to each campus: Pelham Road, Powdersville and Downtown.

How can I get involved with the Children’s Ministry?

There are numerous opportunities for parents or others interested in serving to play a role in our Children’s Ministry. You can teach a class, take care of infants, help run an A/V system, act in skits, lead worship, help in our Quest program, or assist visitors. If you think you might be interested in a certain area of the Children’s Ministry, e-mail us, and we can arrange for you to “jump in” and get a feel for what it’s like to serve in that area. If it’s a good fit, we’ll put you on our volunteer rolls. If you want to try another area, that’s great, too; with 750 volunteers needed, we believe we have a place for everyone!

Nursery is provided for children from infants to 24 months during each of our four weekly services. We strive to provide a safe, comfortable environment so that each child — and their parents — have a positive experience. Our nursery rooms are staffed by caring volunteers who sow the seeds of trust that we hope will one day lead to a trust in Christ. Videos and music help to instill Biblical concepts, even to the youngest children in our program. Outdoor play is sometimes included for our older toddlers.

Nursery Policies

To facilitate a positive experience for our nursery-aged children and our volunteers, please take note of the following policies:

Please do not bring food or drinks into the nursery. Some of our children have severe allergies and may experience a reaction.

Please write any specific instructions for your child on the check-in slip provided by our Parent Pager system. Instructions can pertain to food allergies, needs such as a bottle or a nap during the service, potty training or any other details on caring for you child. Your willingness to do this during the check-in process will allow our volunteers to better serve you and your child.

Parents are asked not to enter the nursery rooms when dropping off or picking up their children, but to hand them to a volunteer over the pass-through door.

A snack — usually Saltine crackers — is served to the children during each service. If your child requires a different snack for any reason, please contact us.

It is our policy at Grace Church that only female lead teachers may change diapers.

Our volunteers will try to calm upset children for 15 minutes before paging a parent. In our Worship Center, the Parent Pager screens are located below the two large screens on either side of the center. If your child’s number appears on the Parent Pager screen during the worship service, please report to the Welcome Desk in the nursery as soon as possible.

Children will only be released to parents or guardians when a check-out slip is presented. If you need help obtaining a check-out slip, please see a member of the Welcome Team.

Baby Dedications

Baby dedications are a way for you to bring together family, friends, and Community Group members to express your full appreciation to God for the gift of life and commit corporately to pray for your child and your parenting. Here at Grace Church, we would love to be a part of helping to celebrate the birth of a new life into your family.

For more information on how the pastoral staff of Grace Church can assist you in celebrating your child, please click here.

Our preschool ministry consists of two parts: Big Group and Small Group. During Big Group time, preschoolers join together in singing Biblically-based songs, and watch a drama related to the week’s lesson, usually in the form of a puppet show or skit. During Small Group time, our preschool teachers lead their classes through the day’s lesson, and help them with related take-home crafts. Our preschool curriculum is written by volunteers, and teaches children about the various attributes of God.

For our parents who serve during one service and worship during another, we provide a program called Preschool Quest on Sunday mornings for children age 4K and 5K. Here, your children can enjoy active play, fellowship, crafts and more. At our Pelham Road campus, Preschool Quest is offered during both services. At our Powdersville campus, Preschool Quest is not offered due to our single 10:30am service on Sunday morning. At our Downtown campus, Preschool Quest is offered only during our 9:15am service on Sunday morning.

Parent Pages

Parent Pages can be used to engage your child in conversation about what they learned during their classroom time.

May 5th- 27th – God is Near (David) 2′s & 3′s- Parent Page  4′s & 5′s- Parent Page

April 14th – 29th – God is Generous (Hannah) - Parent Page

Passion Week Take Home

March 18th – April 8th – Easter 2′s & ‘s - Parent Page 4′s & 5′s- Parent Page 

February 19th -March 11th – Sacrifice - Parent Page

January 21st-February 12th – God is Healer - Parent Page

January 1st-22nd – God is Merciful (Noah) 2′s & 3′s- Parent Page  4′s & 5′s- Parent Page 

Preschool Music

• Arky, Arky//Kids Praise! Company // iTunes
• God is Big// Kids in Worship // iTunes 
• God You’re So Cool// Vineyard UK // iTunes

Preschool Curriculum for Winter 2012

(To view a sample lesson, click here)

January 1st-January 22nd, 2012
Scripture: Noah
Central Truth: God is Merciful
Heart Response: Obey Him
Memory Verse: “For the Lord your God is a merciful God.”  Deuteronomy 4:31

January 28th-February 12th, 2012
Scripture: Paralyzed man, Jairus’ daughter, Blind man
Central Truth: God is our Healer
Heart Response: Pray to Him
Memory Verse: “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.  Is anyone happy?  Let him sing songs of praise.” James 5:13

February 18th – March 11th, 2012
Scripture: Plagues, Passover, Jesus is our substitute
Central Truth: God is Judge
Heart Response: Have faith
Memory Verse: “Since we have been made right through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1

March 18th- April 8th, 2012
Scripture: Easter
Central Truth: God is Holy
Heart Response: Repent
Memory Verse: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

April 14th- April 29th, 2012
Scripture: Hannah desires and child, birth of Samuel
Central Truth: God is Generous
Heart Response: Be Thankful
Memory Verse: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.” Psalm 107:1

May 5th- May 27th, 2012
Scripture: David is chosen as king, David fights Goliath, Saul is jealous and David is kind
Central Truth: God is Near
Heart Response: Love Him
Memory Verse: “The Lord is my shepherd, I have all that I need.” Psalm 23:1

The purpose of Camp Grace is to engage elementary-age children through meaningful relationships, creative drama, lively music, and Biblical teaching in order to communicate the message of the Gospel.

For our parents who serve during one service and worship during another, we provide a program called Up & Out on Sunday mornings for children in 1st grade through 4th grade. Here, your children learn what it means to love God and love others through our curriculum based on Matthew 22:37-40. They also enjoy active play, fellowship, crafts and more. At our Pelham Road campus, Up & Out is offered during both Sunday services. At our Powdersville campus, Up & Out is not offered due to our single 10:30am service on Sunday morning. At our Downtown campus, Up & Out is offered only during our 11:15am service on Sunday morning.

Elementary Curriculum for Spring 2012

(To view a sample lesson, click here)

• May 5th & 6th, 2012 – Lesson 31
  Character(s): Saul
  Reference: I Samuel 8-10
  Context: Israel wants a king.
  Principle: Disobedience. God sometimes gives us what we ask for, even when it’s bad for us.


• May 12th & 13th, 2012 – Lesson 32
  Character(s): Saul
  Reference: I Samuel 15
  Context: Partial obedience; Saul loses kingdom.
  Principle: God demands complete obedience.


• May 19th & 20th, 2012 – Lesson 33
  Character(s): David
  Reference: I Samuel 16
  Context: David chosen as king.
  Principle: God looks at the heart.  Man looks at the outside.


• May 26th & 27th, 2012 – Lesson 34
  Character(s): David
  Reference: I Samuel 17
  Context: Defeats Goliath.
  Principle: God fights our battles.  He gives us courage.

S’more Cards and Bookmarks

The S’more Card was created for further study of each lesson. It provides an overview of the principle and scripture, an activity, and a section for parents to use to study with their child. The Bible Reading Plan bookmark consists of Scripture and related questions to help your child develop his/her own study of the Bible. We encourage you to help your child with his/her Bible study.

• May 5th & 6th, 2012 – Lesson 31 -  S’more Card  l  Bookmark


• May 12th & 13th, 2012 – Lesson 32 -  S’more Card  l  Bookmark


• May 19th & 20th, 2012 – Lesson 33 -  S’more Card  l  Bookmark


• May 26th & 27th, 2012 – Lesson 34 -  S’more Card  l  Bookmark

Camp Grace Music

• Romans 16:19// Crazy Praise Vol 2 // iTunes
• Every Move I Make// David Ruis // iTunes 
• Your Everlasting Love// City of Refuge // iTunes 
• All Things Are Possible//Shout to the Lord Kids// iTunes 
• Go// Seeds Family Worship // iTunes 

It is our desire to come alongside families who have children with special needs, so that children are able to participate in Children’s Ministry programming and parents have the freedom to worship and serve. Please navigate through the information below for more information.

• Overview
• Purpose
• Definition
• Biblical References
• Role of the Church
• Role of the Parents
• Growing in the Gospel

FAQs

• Will my child be with his or her age-group during the weekend programming?
• Can my child have a “shadow” or “buddy” to assist him or her with activities in the Children’s Ministry programming?
• Who is in leadership over special needs? What expertise does this person(s) have?
• How will I be notified if there is a problem during the worship service?
• I am dealing with grief and anxiety. How can I get counseling?

See how one family at Grace has been impacted by our Special Needs Ministry:

If you would like to contact us, please email us at specialneeds@gracechurchsc.org.

If you have a child with special needs, please list any important information regarding their care on the Check-In Sheet.

Volunteer opportunities include:

Nursery Small Group Leader (Infant – 24 months):

• Provide a safe and secure atmosphere for our youngest children.
• Connect with parents and children as they arrive at the classroom door.
• Invest in the lives of children through being a consistent volunteer.

Preschool Small Group Leader (24 months – 5K):

• Provide a safe and loving atmosphere for preschool-aged children.
• Teach a lesson using materials provided in the classroom.
• Escort children to the Big Group room for singing and skits.

Camp Grace Small Group Leader (1st – 4th grades):

• Engage elementary-aged children through meaningful relationships.
• Teach a lesson using material provided in the classroom.
• Escort children to the Big Group room for singing and skits.

Preschool Quest Small Group Leader (4K/5K):

• For children age 4K and 5K who stay for 2 services.
• Build relationships with children in a non-classroom environment.
• Facilitate active play, crafts, games, and more for the children.

Up & Out Small Group Leader (1st-4th grades):

• For children age 1st grade through 4th grade who stay for 2 services.
• Build relationships with children in a non-classroom environment.
• Facilitate active play, crafts, games, and more for the children.

Big Group Drama:

• Engage children through drama and skits in order to teach Biblical principles.
• Connect with children as they arrive in the Big Group room.

Big Group Music (Singing and/or Instrument):

• Help teach children how to worship through singing.
• Provide Biblical exhortation that connects with their lesson each week.
• Connect with children as they arrive in the Big Group room.

Big Group Audio/Visual (Sound, Lights, Slides):

• Assist music and drama teams by providing Audio-Visual (A/V) support.
• Run sound, lights, and visual presentations.

Children’s Welcome Team:

• Provide a welcoming and secure environment for parents and children.
• Help new and returning families utilize Parent Pager (our check-in system) and find their children’s classrooms
• Help support classroom coaches and leaders during the service.

Children’s Special Needs Team (Shadows):

• Provide classroom support for a child who has special needs and who requires a “shadow.”
• Help that child be meaningfully-engaged in the programming.