Getting ready for a Marvelous May at First Church!

Mom Connection: Better Together

This group connects moms (of children birth - high school) with other moms who are seeking friendship, support, and encouragement along the parenting journey. Monthly meetings are planned for the 3rd Monday each month, 6-7:30 p.m. from September through May. Group meetings begin with dinner followed by a theme-based topic designed to help develop connections, offer support (spiritual, emotional, practical), inspiration, and resources for Christ-centered parenting. Suggested donation of $5 per meeting, to cover program materials and dinner. Mom's Connection monthly gatherings begin September 18th. Contact Katie Knorr ([email protected]) or Lisa Aronson ([email protected]) for more details.

Join us for our final meeting of the season on Monday, May 20th from 6-7:30pm where we will have a fun night together. Our meal will be catered and will feature a family style meal. Feel free to bring a friend! There will be an option for you to include your friend's information as well as dietary restrictions or your friend can register themselves. The cost per meeting is a suggested donation of $5, which you can pay by cash or check each meeting, pay online, or you can pay in advance for upcoming meetings.

ONE SMALL STEP: A 4-week series from Acts on the Early Church.

SERIES OVERVIEW:

Astronaut Neil Armstrong once said landing on the moon was “one small step for man.” The biggest adventures start in such a simple way — especially when it comes to space! Asteroids, distant planets, and brand new galaxies await us once we leave earth’s atmosphere. Being the first to explore such uncharted territory can be intimidating. In this four-week series, we’ll take a look at the Book of Acts to learn from the first Christians. Through their stories of faith and bravery, kids will learn how to take the first step of believing in Jesus, the next step of praying for others, and an even bigger step of trusting the Holy Spirit makes us brave. But they won’t want to skip the last step of telling others about Jesus.

MEMORY VERSE:

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1 (NIV)

DOWNLOAD THIS MONTH’S PARENT DEVOTIONAL

Camp Firelight: Vacation Bible School 2024

15–19 July 2024 Early Bird Registration: Register by June 1st to receive a free VBS CD for the first day of VBS! 

Surrounded by water, trees, and rolling hills, Camp Firelight is the perfect location for every Camper’s favorite summer activities! Join Camp Counselor Katie and Lu (short for Lumen), the lightning bug, and learn to face our fears while trusting in God. Come and explore timeless Bible stories that show how Old and New Testament Campers trusted God in the face of their own fears and went on to do great things in God’s name.

Open to kids 4 years old through completed 5th grade.

Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (Doors open at 8:45 a.m. each day.)

Cost: $5 per child (If you'd like financial assistance, please let us know!)

We will conclude the week (weather pending) with our Third Friday Food Trucks event in our church parking lot Friday night! More information to come. We also look forward to seeing all of our VBS friends at our VBS Sunday Celebration on July 21 at 11 a.m.!

You know those breakthrough moments where a conversation suddenly goes deeper than you expected, and a new family memory is unlocked? Those are the best. Figuring out how to get kids talking and sharing like this can be tricky! Here are some things to try! (Click on the image to watch the video)

This month begins the season of Ordinary Time in the life of the Church. It's a fabulous time to engage in a life of prayer with your kiddos! "Little Prayers for Ordinary Days" is a collection of short prayers for children to pray in the midst of their day: on the way to school, after seeing a friend, when noticing a bird in the tree, or looking at the stars, or during any of their comings and goings.

Purchase "Little Prayers for Ordinary Days" here.

We know you're learning a lot about kids while you parent them, so we'd love to learn alongside you. What's one thing you've learned this year that every parent who is raising kids should know? Email Miss Katie at [email protected] with your thoughts!

KidsMinistry Volunteers Needed!

Are you looking for a rewarding way to serve in the church where you leave a little tired but feel very loved? We are always looking for people willing and able to serve in KidsMinistry! Whether you are looking to sub every once in a while or serve once a month, there's something for everyone! Talk to me, send me an email at [email protected], or click here to learn more!

Did you know you we have a Facebook group for families of FUMC Kids with resources, events, and other information for you to stay involved? Click on the Facebook Button below to join the First Church Children's Ministry group today! (And you can check out the church's Instagram as well!)

Hello, my name is Katie Knorr! I am so excited to get to know you and your family! Here's some things to get to know me: I grew up in Bloomsburg, PA and graduated from Bloomsburg University with a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I spent the next few years as an Elementary teacher co-teaching in K-5th classrooms. During that time and for years before that, I spent my time volunteering in Kids Ministry programming at my church including assisting with Sunday School, teaching and running Vacation Bible School, and even creating an Escape room from scratch for the community in the catacombs of our church! In my free time, I enjoy singing in a chorus with my friends, watching all things Marvel, Disney, or cooking/baking/DIY competition shows.

I moved to Central PA in 2019 to be the Director of Children's Ministry at a nearby United Methodist Church and I was so appreciative of the time I spent learning about the ministry God called me into. I love that I have the opportunity to be silly, dress up, and teach kids how much the God who made the tallest mountain and the deepest ocean also made each of us and loves each of us! I am so excited for this opportunity as the Director of Children and Family Ministry to deepen the faith and knowledge of your children!

Katie Knorr

Director of Children and Family Ministry

First U.M. Church