Kids
Connect
We are a church family who is committed to helping all children THRIVE.
We seek to create a space where all children can encounter the story and love of Jesus Christ:
- We encourage, appreciate and listen to every child.
- Each child learns that they are valued and celebrated, learning how to love and accept themselves just as they are and to do the same for others.
- We build quality relationships and lifelong memories of Christian community.
- Our families come in all shapes and sizes.
- We are unapologetically authentic, accepting and inclusive.
- We are the generation who will change the world through Jesus Christ.
Nursery
Birth - 3years
Your children are welcomed into our clean, vibrant, loving environment where they will feel happy and safe with our highly trained, experienced staff. Our babies experience playtime, social time, music, stories and books read to them by our sweet, attentive caregivers. Our infants and toddlers are often making beautiful, seasonal artwork to take home to their families while they are with us.
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Sunday School
4 years - 5th Grade
Pre-K 4 and Kindergarten Sunday school classes are taught in room 130 during the 9:45 a.m. hour. Children learn about major stories of the Bible in a center-based active learning classroom. All lessons are prepared with the whole child in mind offering prayer, music, Bible stories, and hands-on activities that allow children to see, touch, taste, smell and hear God’s world through the eyes of a child.
The First and Second Grade Sunday school class is held in room 137, the New Room. Children participate in bible exploration using story bibles and videos. Students have creative opportunities to make art projects and play games that help illustrate the theme of the day’s lesson. This is a high-energy learning environment, engaging as many learning styles as possible to reach every child.
The Third, Fourth and Fifth Grade Sunday school class meets in room 301. Children read and study from their very own bibles, exploring the content and how to navigate them. We begin to explore personal relationships with God, discovering and developing sustainable spiritual practices. We also begin learning the foundations of United Methodist theology in preparation for confirmation.
Music Program
Children's Choir
Kyle Linson, our Director of Music and Worship Arts, along with two volunteer members of the choir, Kent and Brent Wulf, assist our children with musical instruction. We are blessed to have access to instruments as well! We are always reworking old hymns, learning seasonal music or music appreciation in general. This special time together is not only fun making a joyful noise but a time when we reflect and remember that we are compelled to “Be respectful and Make Good Choices”. This is a precious song that we sing as a warm up each Sunday and it simply reminds us that we are blessed to be a blessing to ourselves, each other, our church and the world. The children are often invited to sing in our late worship, First Tradition, especially around the holiday.
Arts Program
First Arts
As a vital component of FUMC’s THRIVE initiative, the First Arts program endeavors to provide quality arts education for downtown children. For ten weeks in the Spring and again in the Fall, our church building transforms each Tuesday and Thursday into a conservatory where students have the opportunity to receive private instruction in music or take classes in visual art and theater. First Arts also partners with the Arkansas Arts Center to enrich the curriculum of Booker Magnet’s fine arts programs. For more information about this exciting and expanding ministry, please contact James Stanley, Associate Director for Music and Arts.