WELCOME TO CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRIES
AT FIRST COVENANT CHURCH!
Our Children and Family Ministry is the place for children (birth - 5th grade) to belong, believe, and become and First Covenant Church:
Belong | a safe place for children & their families to be known and accepted.
Believe | a place where the foundation of Christian faith begins. Children are encouraged to wonder, ask questions, and grow through teaching and healthy relationships with peers & trusted adults.
Become | a place where lives are transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit to become world changers for Christ.
Find out more about what this looks like from week-to-week in our life together and find out about upcoming opportunities just for Children and Families below!
Questions?
Contact Lora Murtha, Minister of Children and Families
We have something for every age and stage at First Covenant on Sunday mornings. We hope that by worshiping with us you'll catch a glimpse of the Kingdom, and be encouraged to find your place in it. Each Sunday has familiar components, but no week is the same. Here is what our children can expect on Sundays:
9:30am - 10:30am | Worship
- All ages gather in the sanctuary for in-person and live streamed worship. As you enter there are children's bulletins & activities, Bibles, and packages of crayons available to use during worship. Our children participate in leading in worship by reading scripture, in seasonal Christmas or Holy Week programs, or occasional Kids Choir singing.
- Nursery (birth - 4 years): Our nursery is open and unstaffed for families to use as needed for the youngest among us.
- Children's Church (preK - 2nd grade): During the sermon time early elementary children go to a children's classroom for an engaging lesson from the Bible with a rotating team of volunteers. Children return for the closing song or for communion (depending on the week).
10:30am - 11:00am | Fellowship Time
There are often treats, coffee, and water provided in our Upper Fellowship Hall. This is a great opportunity to fill hungry stomachs while connecting with others. You'll find children gathering together at the children's tables and benches by the bookcases.
11:00am - 12:00pm | Spiritual Growth Hour (September - April)
- Nursery (birth - 4 years): Our nursery is open and unstaffed for families to use as needed the youngest among us.
- Children's Sunday School (preK - 5th grade): Our children begin Sunday School together by singing and watching a video that accompany's the morning's lesson. They break up into age-specific classes to explore the Bible with interactive, hands-on learning opportunities that combine fun and faith formation as they grow in their love of Jesus.
- Spiritual Growth Hour opportunities for youth and adults happen at the same time.
4:00pm - 5:45pm | After School Program (K - 5th graders)
We partner with Family Values for Life to provide a safe, fun, and free space for children to connect with one another.
This program provides literacy support and cultural enrichment activities such as book reports, individual and partnered reading, arts and crafts, sports, and STEM projects. Click here to sign up.
5:30 - 6:15pm | Free Dinner for all (all ages)
Our partners prepare hot, nutritious meals each Wednesday. Join us for a free community meal. Dinner is served until 6:00pm, feel free to linger and eat until 6:15pm.
6:15 - 7:30pm | Craft & Sing! (K - 5th graders)
Join us on Wednesday evenings as we spend time celebrating the arts with Craft and Sing. We are partnering with Family Values for Life to bring this opportunity for children to do arts and crafts, play and sing, engagement in movement and skill building games while growing in relationships with one another. Click here to sign up.
There are regular special events for children and their families to connect, play, and have fun together while building and strengthening relationships. Keep an eye on our newsletters, and be sure that you've joined our mailing list to stay up to date with what is going on with Children and Family Ministry!
CAMPS
We have a rich tradition of sending campers to Covenant Pines Bible Camp in McGregor, MN.
God changes lives at Summer Camp. Camp is a place where kids can feel safe, have fun, and grow. For over 60 years Covenant Pines has been changing lives and making Jesus known. Camp sessions at Covenant Pines are designed to encourage growth in all areas of a child’s life and they work hard to provide a loving, exciting and energizing environment where life-changing moments can happen on a daily basis. We have a commitment that every camper, regardless of their family's financial situation, should be able to attend camp.
VBS
We join up with local partners to provide an excellent VBS-like camp for children from our neighborhood and churches. Our partnership has expanded to include Family Values for Life and Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church as we share space, leadership, and planning. Children learn about trusting Jesus, explore the Bible, build relationships with new and familiar friends, play fun-filled games, and try out science experiments as they explore their world in age-appropriate ways
VOLUNTEERS
Ministry is maximized by our volunteers. We love our volunteers and value the impact they make in the lives of our children. First Covenant’s Children and Family Ministry believes in equipping and empowering our volunteers to serve, love, and care for our children.
We do this by:
- Maintaining a safe adult to child ratio in our programs.
- Enforcing safe bathroom and safety procedures.
- Ensuring that our volunteers are trained and have successfully passed background checks before serving.
Are you interested in being a Children and Family volunteer in one of our ministry areas?
Contact Lora Murtha (Minister of Children and Families)
Connect with First Covenant Children and Family Ministries
Contact Lora Murtha, Minister of Children and Families
Sign up for the Children and Family Ministry email list