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Children's Ministry

 Rev. Susan Skaggs, Chair, Children's Ministry Team

Children's Ministry Leadership Academy 2010 

Download brochure with registration form. You may also register online through links below.

The Children's Ministry Leadership Academy is an opportunity for you to explore the important role of children’s ministry and to connect with other children’s coordinators from the Kentucky Annual Conference. It is designed to empower both staff and volunteer workers with the basic skills necessary for church leadership roles in children’s ministry.

Who Should Attend?
*Those who are currently leading children’s ministry within a smaller congregation.
*Those who are exploring the possibility of working within a church setting of ministry to children.
*Those who are currently leading in children’s ministry and would like to learn more and share their experiences with others.
*Elders and Deacons who wish to learn more about children’s ministry and earn Continuing Education Units (1.5 CEU available by attending all 3 sessions).

The Academy is being offered in three sessions: Build an Effective Children's Ministry, Build an Intentional Children's Ministry, and Build a Balanced Children's Ministry. Each one-day session will take place in three locations: Kentucky Conference Office in Crestwood, Loucon Training & Retreat Center, and Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center. Choose the location that is most convenient for you. The material for each session will be repeated on two separate days at each location.

Cost per session: $10 for registration, materials, and lunch

Session 1: Build an Effective Children's Ministry
1) recruiting volunteers
2) learning styles
3) curriculum selection
4) budget planning
5) hospitality

Session 2: Build an Intentional Children's Ministry
1) recruiting volunteers
2) learning styles
3) curriculum selection
4) budget planning
5) hospitality

Session 3: Build a Balanced Children's Ministry
1) elements of room design
2) "Wee Worship" for preschool
3) mid-week programming
4) missions and community service
5) event planning

To register, click on the dates of the sessions you wish to attend.

Location: Kentucky Annual Conference Office – Wesley Room
Session 1 (May 21)
Session 1 (May 22)
Session 2 (July 30)
Session 2 (July 31)
Session 3 (Sept. 24)
Session 3 (Sept. 25)

Location: Loucon Training & Retreat Center
Session 1 (May 14)
Session 1 (May 15)
Session 2 (Aug. 27)
Session 2 (Aug. 28)
Session 3 (Nov. 5)
Session 3 (Nov. 6)

Location: Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center
Session 1 (April 30)
Session 1 (May 1)
Session 2 (Aug. 13)
Session 2 (Aug. 14)
Session 3 (Oct. 1)
Session 3 (Oct. 2)

 Children's Advocacy Day at the Capitol

Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol began in 2004 as an effort to unite advocates from across the state to raise their voices together on behalf of children’s and families’ safety, health, education and economic well-being. Hundreds of advocates representing more than 40 counties bring children’s needs and solutions to state legislators. 

 C.L.E.A.R. 2010
(Children's Leaders Events & Resources)

Saturday April 17, 2010
Centenary UMC in Lexington

16 Workshops on topics of interest to children's leaders

For more information, download brochure here.

· The crisis among children and the impoverished and our theological and historical mandates demand more than additional programs or emphases. Nothing less than the reshaping of The United Methodists Church in response to the God who is among "the least of these" is required.
· Providing resources or understanding the crisis among children and the impoverished and enabling the Church to respond is also a goal of the Initiative.
· The primary goal is evangelization, the proclamation in word and deed of the gospel of God's redeeming reconciling and transforming grace in Jesus Christ to and with the children and those oppressed by poverty.

As one response to the Bishops' Initiative on Children and Poverty, congregations are invited to undertake specific actions to make their churches more responsive to the needs of children and their families in the church and community,

The decision to participate in this effort should be made by the Church Council, and coordination assigned either to an already-established committee of the church or to a task force appointed for this specific purpose. See the Guidelines sheet for more detailed instructions and suggestions.

There are many other ways your church can respond to the challenge of the Bishops' Initiative on Children and Poverty. Making your church more child-friendly and hospitable to poor families through the use of this Checklist is one way. Remember that the focus of the Initiative, in the closing words of the Bishops' foundation document, "... is on communicating and living the gospel of Jesus Christ with all children and intentionally reaching out to impoverished persons as recipients and means of God's grace in Jesus Christ."

Children and Poverty Grant Application

The Children & Poverty Task Force will review all grants received at each of their meetings.  In submitting a grant you should hear from the task force grant committee about the status of your submission within one week following the meeting dates.

External Links

Church for All God's Children

Children's Sabbath

Children's Defense Fund