Children’s Ministries
Children’s Ministry Team – The Children’s Ministry Team works to ensure Unity Presbyterian Church is a nurturing environment where children and their families experience God in all areas of the life of the church and are empowered to live as disciples of Christ. This team plans and coordinates faith formation programs specifically for children birth through fifth grade and their families.
Children In Worship (CIW) – Children in Worship (CIW) is a special worship service for children ages 4 through 1st grade. Volunteers are needed for CIW during both the 8:45 am and 11:00 am worship services. All volunteers working with children must participate in Safe Place training, and adult volunteers must submit to a background check.
Children’s Sunday Afternoon Programs – Occasional Sunday afternoon programs are offered for elementary children. Sometimes these are a series, like our Growing Christians program for 4th and 5th graders. Others are onetime events like our Learning to Use My Bible for 3rd graders and Worship and Sacraments Event for 2nd graders. Volunteers are needed to lead and assist with these events. Curriculum is provided. All volunteers working with children must participate in Safe Place training, and adult volunteers must submit to a background check.
Children’s Sunday School – Sunday school plays an integral part in developing children’s knowledge of the Bible and the Triune God. Many adult volunteers are needed each Sunday morning to serve in the children’s Sunday school classes (ages 4 years through 5th grade). Volunteer opportunities include serving as a Teacher, Classroom Assistant, or Substitute. Curriculum and training are provided. All volunteers working with children must participate in Safe Place training, and adult volunteers must submit to a background check.
Family Events (Planning Team; Assistant) – Volunteers are needed to help with events for children and their families each year like the Birthday Party for Jesus, Easter Egg Hunts, etc. Volunteers are needed to serve on planning teams for these events. Assistants will be contacted by the coordinator of the event when planning begins and can choose to help with set up, clean up, or running a station at the event. All volunteers working with children must participate in Safe Place Training and adult volunteers must submit to a background check.
Grands Camp Planning Team – Grands Camp is an intergenerational camp opportunity from 9:00am – 12:00pm three mornings during the late summer for grandparents and their grandchildren, ages 4 to fifth grade to participate together in worship, music, crafts, games and mission projects. Adult volunteers are needed to serve on the planning team for 2024.
Kaleidoscope Special Needs Ministry – Volunteers are needed to meet the needs of families affected by disability to allow them to worship and to be an active part of the life of our congregation without worry. Volunteers are needed to be Lead Buddies and On Call Buddies. Buddies provide one-on-one assistance so a child can participate in worship and group settings. Lead buddies serve on average twice per month during Sunday school and the worship hour. On Call buddies serve as substitutes when a Lead Buddy is unavailable and will be available during the Sunday school hour if other children need a sensory break in the Sensory Room, which is a safe place for sensory needs. Volunteers are also needed to help with Administrative Tasks or to be part of the Kaleidoscope Ministry Team to implement the short-term and long-term plans of the ministry.
New Baby Welcoming Team – The New Baby Welcoming Team visits families who have recently had a new baby. Volunteers deliver the Sanctuary rose and a small baby gift, provided by the Children’s Ministry Team, to these families.
Nursery – Careful supervision of our young children is a priority in our nursery. Although Unity provides a paid nursery worker each Sunday morning, volunteers are also needed during both worship services each Sunday (8:45 am and 11:00 am). Volunteers are also occasionally needed during some weekly events and special services. All volunteers working with children must participate in Safe Place Training, and adult volunteers must submit to a background check.
Passport Kids! Camp – Chaperones are needed to accompany rising 4th-7th graders to Passport Kids! Camp, a four day, three night, ecumenical Christian camp experience at Montreat Conference Center during the summer. All volunteers working with children must participate in Safe Place training and adult volunteers must submit to a background check.
Vacation Bible School – Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a fun-filled experience for children ages 4 years through completed 5th grade. VBS is held during the summer and it includes Bible study, music, games, crafts, and more. Many opportunities to serve are available. VBS includes a Mission Camp for rising 5th and 6th graders. Adult volunteers are needed to serve on the Mission Camp Planning team and serve as advisors who will accompany small groups of children as they participate in hands-on mission projects in the community. All volunteers working with children must participate in Safe Place training, and adult volunteers must submit to a background check.
Worship Bags Refill/Restock – Two different sets of Worship Bags are available in the Narthex for pre-readers and for readers. Volunteers are needed to replenish Worship Bags each week prior to the following Sunday. This is an excellent family service project.