Here at Sherwood Presbyterian, we love children! And we have lots of them! Children are a huge part of our congregation and our community.Early Childhood Programs
This recently developed part of Children's Ministry includes the nursery and toddler Sunday school classes and outreach to families with young children.
Our nursery is open to babies 2½ and younger during each Sunday morning service for the duration of worship. Our nursery caregiver, Kim Urban, and a rotation of loving volunteers provide a safe place for all babies so parents are free to worship and fellowship. Parents wishing to keep their babies with them throughout the service are welcome to do so and a cry room is available for nursing mothers (and for those
overwhelming fussy times).
The toddler Sunday school class is open to children 2 - 4 years of age who are not quite ready for the structure of a normal Sunday school class. Parents are free to drop their children off at the beginning of services or wait until after music is finished and bring their children to class when the older children are dismissed. Our lead toddler Sunday school teacher and small contingent of volunteers, provide a welcoming environment for children to experience Jesus' love and friendship. Presently our curriculum is modeled after Godly Play and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd pedagogy.
School Age Sunday School Programs
Our Sunday school program and curriculum is based on our three core values: Belonging, Believing, and Becoming. Children belong in our church - they deserve authentic relationships with family members and mentors who can help feel connected to God's family. Children can be led to believe the Good News - their hearts and minds are ready to develop a meaningful friendship with Jesus. Children can become like Christ - they are capable of reaching out to others in love, in faith, and with hope. Each week teachers and assistants walk with children, teaching these three core values through team building activities, biblical messages, memory verses, and personal journaling time.
School Year Sunday School
Beginning the second weekend of September (the weekend following Labor Day), our school year Sunday school program runs most Sundays through the second weekend of June for children in preschool through the fifth grade. Children are dismissed following worship and are led by their teachers to their classrooms while the adults remain in service. Sunday school is closed occasionally for special services and children are invited to remain in worship with their families. Such services include Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, the Sunday of the All Church Retreat, Christmas Eve, and the last Sunday of the year.
These closures provide important opportunities for families to worship together, to introduce the children to different worship elements, and to teach children that they are vital members of our community's DNA. Children's messages are scheduled for these Sundays to help engage children in the morning's sermon.
Summer Sunday School
The preschool through fifth grade Sunday school classes are closed from
Father's Day weekend through Labor Day weekend to due summer vacation schedules and to provide a time of rest for volunteers. As with the occasional school year closures, children's messages will be used to draw children into the service and hopefully provide a starting point for future family discussions.
