See what's in store at First Church! |
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Streets of Treats Volunteers Needed! October 17th 10am-2pm This family-oriented event, presented by the Mechanicsburg Chamber of Commerce, features safe, daytime trick-or-treating, crafts, games and other children’s activities takes place on Market Street in Mechanicsburg from 10-2pm on Saturday, October 17th. Please consider giving of your time to help hand out treats to children and adults! Feel free to wear a family-friendly costume. Details about the event will be given closer to the date from Katie Knorr. Questions can be emailed to Katie Knorr at kidscount@fumchurch.com |
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Monthly Ladies Night - October 19th Once called Mom Connection, now open to ladies of all stages! 3rd Mondays 6:00-8:00 PM Sept.-May Join us for our Monthly Ladies Night hosted by the Women’s Ministry of First UMC (previously known as Mom Connection). Our goal for this ministry is to be a gathering of women from all stages of life. Women of all stages of life (single, mom (of...), empty nester, grandma, young adult, etc) are invited to a once a month evening of friendship, support, and guidance. We meet together for a meal, learning, conversation and prayer in the hopes of creating connections and cultivating community. Sign up on Church Center or contact Katie Knorr at kidscount@fumchurch.com or Lisa Aronson at discipleship@fumchurch.com for more information.
Join us Monday, October 19th from 6-8pm with our special Guest Cindy Parker to discuss the Color Code. Our meal will feature soup, salad, and breadsticks (Please sign up for the dietary restrictions selection if you have any needs we need to be aware of). To best prepare for the night, please take the 30 minutes Color Code Questionnaire before attending (there is a free version and a paid version, click here for the link to the questionnaires). |
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We Need U! Serve once a month in KidsMinistry at 11:00 am! At First Church, we offer child care and programs for kids up to fifth grade to help them learn about who Jesus is, what the Gospel means for them and who God calls them to be. In order to fulfill this calling, we are always looking for volunteers to serve in our KidsMinistry. We are looking for two volunteers to assist our preschool teachers and one volunteer to assist our K-5th grade teacher, all during the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Each volunteer role takes place one Sunday a month with the ability to switch Sundays if a scheduling conflict arises. Volunteers will need to provide their clearances to the church.
If you would like to know more information and what would be involved with serving, please contact Katie Knorr, Director of Children and Family Ministry at kidscount@fumchurch.com. |
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WHAT WE'RE TEACHING - OCTOBER |
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| BRAVE: A 4-WEEK SERIES ON DAVID AND ESTHER
SERIES OVERVIEW: Kids are faced with challenges every day that require some level of bravery, such as having to step out of their comfort zones, sticking up for someone or something they believe in, or simply being comfortable with and confident of who they are. The Bible stories about David and Esther in this series may seem larger than life at first. How do I relate to someone who was able to take down a giant with a sling? How can I actually do anything when I don't have any power or authority – both David and Esther were royals! But upon closer inspection, kids will come to realize that David and Esther had God's help –a lot of it –along the way. Through these stories, kids can discover small ways they can exhibit bravery, because God knows who they are and God can use their gifts. They will also find that a form of bravery is to show others mercy. Their bravery will be put the test with challenges, but God can help overcome those difficulties, and they can rest assured that God has a plan for their lives!
DOWNLOAD THE PRESCHOOL PARENT GUIDE DOWNLOAD THE ELEMENTARY PARENT GUIDE |
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Student Small Group Second Sundays from 6:00-7:30pm Student Small Groups is back! This is a chance for small group interaction with students of similar ages. This space is intended to allow for conversation, questions, and age-appropriate faith topics. Grades 4th-7th will meet at First Church for group activity time in the gym and have small group discussions to follow. Grades 8th-12th will meet in the Youth Lounge.
We will meet on the 2nd Sunday of the month from 6-7:30 pm. If you have any questions, please let Katie Knorr know at kidscount@fumchurch.com for 4th-7th graders and Lisa Aronson for 8th-12th graders at discipleship@fumchurch.com.
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| Ask Better Questions No matter how often your kids flip the script on you, pay attention and be a student of your kids. When we show interest and intentionally engage, we’re communicating to our kids their lives are important to us and that we’re on this journey with them for the long haul. Be curious and ask them questions. Don’t assume their intentions. When you ask for clarity, their answers may give you insight into where they are mentally, emotionally and spiritually, and will give you new opportunities to lean into some areas where they may need additional support from you. Check out this video to learn more! |
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Common Sense Media exists to help adults have a better understanding of what kids are watching and make better decisions on their behalf. They offer the largest and most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews. Check them out today to better understand how to guide kids in their media consumption. |
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| We might be a kids ministry, but kids aren't our only priority. We'd love to hear how we can better serve you and your family, too. So we'd love it if you'd complete a quick survey so we can learn from you. Email Katie at kidscount@fumchurch.com with any questions! |
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Make your own bird feeders What's better than looking out the window and watching the birds (or squirrels) feeding at a bird feeder? Making bird feeders of your own! Check out these 25 DIY Bird Feeders for Your Backyard and consider making one (or more) with your family! You can even make it into a competition to build the best one or a science experiment to see which one is the most successfully used! |
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REWARDING WAYS TO SERVE IN CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRY |
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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 kidscount@fumchurch.com, or click here to learn more! |
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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!) |
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MEET THE DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRY |
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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. |
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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! |
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| Katie Knorr Director of Children and Family Ministry First U.M. Church |
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