Welcome to St. Peter's United Methodist Church - Katy, TX 77450

Header - Children's Ministries World

Connecting Kids with God’s Love!

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."   Matthew 19:14

Children’s Ministries offers many opportunities for kids and their families to connect and grow in God’s Love. To navigate to a certain section of Children's Ministries, click on the name.

Worship

We feel strongly about children experiencing worship with their families. Worship Bags are provided for use during the traditional and contemporary services.

Nursery

The nursery staff is ready to welcome infants and toddlers during the 8:30, 9:45 and 11:00 a.m. worship services and also during the 9:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Sunday School hours. Come check out the fun, faith-forming activities provided in our nurseries!

The nursery is located near the center aisle entrance of the Sanctuary. Families register their children at the nursery desk and retain a security sticker matching their child’s. Both stickers are matched at check-out to ensure your child’s safety.

St. Peter’s provides many opportunities for worship, education and service. With the exception of Sunday mornings, when nursery care is available during all services, nursery care is scheduled on a reservation basis. If you wish to know whether care is scheduled during a particular study, program, or event, please contact , Nursery Coordinator, at 281.492.8031, ext. 325 (nursery) or ext. 358 (voice mail). To operate as good stewards of the nursery budget, we require a minimum of two children to open the nursery for any given event and ask that the nursery be notified of cancellations as soon as possible.

Wee Twos

This Sunday School/nursery program runs January through August and is designed for children who have turned 2 after the Sept. 1 requirement for Sunday School and prior to March 1. The Wee Twos class is offered at both 9:45 and 11 a.m. A toddler and 2s curriculum is offered, including a story and hands-on activities. The class is taught by two adult nursery staff and teen nursery staff who are eager to begin sharing these first steps on your child's faith journey.

Sunday School 

Exciting lessons and caring leaders nurture children's faith and encourage living out Christ's message in everyday life. Come explore, meet new friends, and have tons of fun learning and growing in God's love. All classrooms are staffed with dedicated volunteers who have been trained, had background checks, and are in compliance with the Safe Sanctuary Policy adopted by St. Peter's.

Sunday School Registration
In an effort to better serve each family with children attending Sunday School, we ask that you register your children with a staff member at the welcome desk in the children's area. Once that has been completed future check-in can be completed at a computer station using your name or phone number. Please note that "Pager number" in our system refers to your cell phone number. By providing your cell phone, we are able to text you if your child needs you. We look forward to meeting you!

Join us at 9:45 a.m.

2s and young 3s: Rock-a-Bye
This curriculum engages children in developmentally appropriate and fun activities. To you, your child's creation may look like a jumble of cotton balls and stickers, but to your 2-year-old it represents the expanse of God's nighttime sky. The focus is on connecting children with God's love though art, music, play and simple Bible stories. Caring teachers nurture trust and independence, allowing each child to learn basic Christian concepts and feel loved.

3s thru Seconnd Grade: Live B.I.G.
Your children will hear, see and learn to live their Belief In God. Live B.I.G. is a creative, contemporary approach to ancient teachings. Bible stories are explored through crafts, games, music and short video segments with characters that model B.I.G. behavior and bring high-energy excitement to children. Those basic principles are applied to daily life experiences, laying the foundation for a lifetime of faith.

3rd Grade: Route "66"
Third grade is the year children at St. Peter's receive their very own Bible! The emphasis for this year of learning is their journey through Bibleland on God's Route "66." Their journey along Route "66" will take them through the 66 books of the Bible, stopping at some books for a longer while and at other books for just a "pit" stop. They make stops such as Bountiful Blessings Bed and Breakfast, the Computer Terminal, Hollywood Videos, Revelation Station, Discovery Zone, Shining Light Puppet Theatre, and more. It's a year full of fun, faith and fellowship. Your third-grader may receive a Bible by registering a request at the Children's Ministries desk on Sunday mornings.

4th and 5th Grade Club "45"
Fourth- and fifth-graders are welcomed into a "cool" club that has become a tradition at St. Peter's. In Club "45" kids are ready to grapple with bigger faith questions and dive into real-life faith-based solutions. Dedicated leaders combine curricula to meet the needs of these growing Christians. Contemporary music, videos and hip activities unify this team and prepare them for growing up and making solid choices. Club "45" also provides fellowship outside of Sunday School through special events, missions and field trips. Children are encouraged to invite friends, neighbors and classmates to foster discipleship around their community. Registration for the club is required upon participation in activities and prior to leaving the St. Peter's campus.

Join us at 11:00

During the 11:00 hour, 2s and young 3s meet in the classroom for fun activities that support the 9:45 Sunday School lesson. This is an opportunity for children to explore the theme and Bible verse through play, art, and music.

Older 3s and 4s meet in the Sunday School classroom and then are escorted by volunteers to Splash!

 

 Image - SPLASH

Image - SplashThis is a dynamic children’s worship service designed just for kids ages 4 through fifth grade. Children’s Ministries invites children to join us to Sing, Praise, Love, and Serve Him. One of the keys of spiritual development in a child is being able to worship God, and they will be able to do just that through the many age-appropriate activities planned. SPLASH includes traditional elements such as a message, doxology, offering, and a lesson geared toward nurturing the child’s relationship with Christ. Children are also allowed to interact with their leaders and friends, while loving and praising God. There are games, and memory verses to help the children remember and take with them the message of the week, a way to carry God with them wherever they go. Come make a SPLASH with us!

 

Special Kids Ministries


What is Special Kids Ministry?

St. Peter’s wants every child and family to feel welcomed, included and loved as they seek to participate in our faith community.  Our goal is to ensure that each child is given the opportunity to feel comfortable and successful in every aspect of church life.  This can be achieved in a variety of ways.

Sunday School Options 

  • Children with special needs can participate in the grade-level Sunday School classes independently.  The teacher can be made aware of any needs or challenges your child might have.

  • Children with special needs can participate in grade-level Sunday School classes accompanied by a mentor.  Mentors lend guidance and encouragement, provide extra instruction and offer friendship to children who need an extra set of loving hands.  Mentors can be assigned to a child individually or to a class as a whole.

  • Children with special needs can participate in a separate self-contained class.  This class is much smaller, with usually a 1:2 or 1:3 teacher/child ratio.  The curriculum in this class is individualized to the children participating.  Many of the children in this class find the larger Sunday School classes overstimulating and overwhelming. 

Friday Night Friends
Friday Night Friends is a respite care night for children with special needs and their siblings.  It is one Friday a month (usually the last Friday) from 6-9 p.m.  Fun activities are provided for the children while their parents have a night out.  The cost is $10 for the first child and $5 for each sibling. Registration is required. You may download the registration form from this site and submit it to the Children’s Ministries Office by the Wednesday prior to the Friday of the event.
Image - Friday Night Friends 1  Image - Friday Night Friends 2

How do I request assistance for my child with special needs?
Parents who feel their child would benefit or require assistance to participate in any aspect of church life should make their request upon registering for Sunday School or by filling out a Special Kid’s Ministry request form.  Speaking directly with a member of the Children’s Ministries staff enables us to contact the Special Kids Coordinator and begin assessment, assign a team of mentors, and ensure that your child’s needs are being met.  Parents play an active role in setting goals and providing information to mentors that will better help their child achieve success.

Who Can Help with Special Kids Ministries?
You do not need to have a background in special education or extensive training in the field to participate as a volunteer in Special Kids Ministries.  All you need to do is, first, be able to commit your time to assist for one hour of Sunday School per month or three hours for Friday Night Friends.  Second, you should have patience and understanding.  Third, you should have a desire to connect kids with God’s love.  Mentors are assigned to a specific child or classroom on a repeating basis.  Communication and training occurs through the Special Kids Coordinator with parents, teachers and other team members to best meet the needs of each child and classroom.  

Support Groups
Two very special groups meet at St. Peter’s for education, support and fellowship. The ADHD Support Group meets the second Sunday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in S201. The Autism Support Group meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in Asbury Hall.

For more information regarding any children’s programs, please contact Kelly Johnson at 281.492.8031, ext. 310.

WE - Wednesdays 4 Everyone

Image - WEWE offers a weekly devotional, crafts, games, sports, stories, outdoor playtime and more for children who are 3 years old through fifth-graders. WE meets from 6-7:30 p.m. in E224 for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. For 3s and 4s, WE meets from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in E120. Contact Ali Wither­spoon at (281) 492-8031, ext. 311, for more information. Click HERE to register. 

 

 

 

Children's Summer Ministries


Vacation Bible School

A week-long, fun-filled program for children 3 years old through fifth grade.

Directors: Brandi Taylor and Sarah Loving

For questions and to volunteer:

Image - VBS 2012 

Click to view/download the Summer Ministries Brochure.

REGISTRATION DATES
VBS Volunteers
- March 25
Church Members - April 1
Community - April 11
On Site & Online - April 11 (On site in Lott Fellowship Hall from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.)
Summer Information Sundays in Children's Ministry Area - March 25 & April 1, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER

Sunny Days
A two-week program designed especially for children 2 years old through entering kindergarten. Themes, on-campus special events, and many fun activities are planned.

Summer Games
Children will learn that it takes both physical and mental commitment, focus, balance, strength, and endurance to live in faith.

 Music and Movement
Learn about the world through music, movement and art. This week-long program is for ages 3 to 5.

Cooking with Kids
Cooking with Kids gives elementary-age children hands-on experience in all things culinary. They will learn about nutrition, prepare food, practice etiquette, plan meals and parties, and create their own cookbook.

Information about all summer programs can be obtained by contacting the Summer Programs Director, Jody Cook, at 281.748.4887 or .

How can you connect with the children of St. Peter's?

There are lots of ways to connect with children at St. Peter’s, especially on Sunday mornings. Please support your children and their teachers in faith by joining the volunteer team. Opportunities include: 

Preschool leader or assistant
K-second grade leader
Special child mentor
Team SPLASH
Sunday School substitute
Special events

We have the perfect place for you! Contact at 281.492.8031, ext. 311, and tell her how you want to connect with kids!

Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC)

One of the finest early childhood programs in the area, St. Peter's ECDC, a 25-year-old program, is another very important ministry of our church. Dedicated teachers and a strong governing board keep the standards high for this outreach to small children ages 15 months through 5 years. The ECDC provides a warm, nurturing environment where each student can grow and develop spiritually, cognitively, physically, emotionally and socially within a Christian atmosphere.
Contact Bobbi McKinley, Executive Director, at 281.492.0623 or read more on the Early Childhood Development Center page.

(Accredited by NAEYC and licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.)

Children's Choirs - KIDS JAM

Click HERE to find out about music opportunities for children and to register for 2011/2012.

Scouting

St. Peter's charters two Cub Scout Troops, Pack 209 and 353.  If your son is interested in joining Cub Scouts, please contact Robin Walters.

If you have any questions about Children's Ministries, you may contact
Kelly Johnson, Director of Children's Ministries 281.492.8031, ext. 310, or
Ali Witherspoon-Anthony, Asst. Director of Children's Ministries, 281.492.8031, ext. 309.