Resources



This page contains information on the following subjects. If you need help with something else, please contact me!


Creating a Safe Place For All
UMC Training Model
Workshop Rotation Model
Children's Sermons
Curriculum
Resources for Children's Church
UMC C.E. Bulletin Insert
VBS
Music
Top Websites for Practical Lesson Help




Creating a Safe Place For All
Safety, both for children and teachers, is of the utmost importance. Ensure that all the necessary background checks and safety requirements are met for your program. If you serve within the UMC, establishing a Safe Sanctuary policy is essential. The link has everything you will need to begin and maintain a healthy, safe environment for all.


UMC District Training Model
If you serve within the UMC, this three hour Training Model is a great resource for training new children's leaders.


Workshop Rotation Model
Although introduced in the 1990's, 'Workshop Rotation Model' for Sunday school or mid-week groups is still popular & works well for either small or large churches. Begin by reading these Workshop Notes which include a curriculum comparison chart. Other resources for Workshop Rotation curriculum include:
  1. 'Do It Yourself' Rotation
  2. Cornerstones Curriculum.
  3. Cokesbury's PowerXpress
Children's Sermons
Pastors and Christian Education Directors will welcome this great online resource which follows the lectionary. Click here to access hundreds of simple yet effective children's sermons.

Curriculum
Choosing curriculum can be a daunting task. It is always helpful to connect with other Children's Ministry leaders to see what has worked for them. Here are 3 useful tools, provided by Cokesbury, to help you as you begin:

  1. Curriculum Checklist: use this to ascertain your needs.
  2. Curriculum Comparison Chart: use this to compare 13 popular curriculum resources, for preschool through tweens. It includes resources by Cokesbury, Group, Standard and David C Cook. The chart shows age levels, price, core components and special emphasis for each curriculum.
  3. Curriculum Finder : use this to help find the right resources for your group.
Curriculums that I have used & would recommend include:
Preschool:
Group: Hands On Bible Curriculum
Gospel Light 

Ages 3-12:
Grow, Proclaim, Serve Cokesbury.(Also includes one room resources.)
Godly Play  Cokesbury.

3rd & 4th Grade- How to Use Your Bible:
Learning to use My Bible (Cokesbury) A useful resource to use after children have received their Bibles.


Preteen:
Heartshaper published by Standard.
No Miss Lessons For Preteen Kids published by Group.
Grapple published by Group- innovative curriculum, uses your own website & safe online community for preteens.

Mid-week Programming:
God's Kids Grow & God's Big Picture are resources from Gospel Light that I have used for midweek programs. For children aged 6-12, 52 lessons included.

Resources for Children's Church:
Kids Own Worship: Group

Celebrating God's World in Children's Church: Cokesbury
Sharing God's Love in Children's Church: Cokesbury

In addition to these resources, this site has lots of free games, lessons & activities. Also check out the websites listed at the bottom of this page.

UMC C.E. Bulletin Insert:
If you serve within the UMC, it is important for you to promote 'Christian Education Sunday', which is usually held on a Sunday in September. Please encourage an offering to be taken...50% of which goes to the Conference to provide grants for Christian Education. Click here for a downloadable bulletin insert.

VBS:
If you are a small church and the idea of VBS is overwhelming, the best thing you can do is to join with churches in your area to offer a Community VBS. This has 4 great benefits: you will reach more kids; you will have more leaders who can all pool their different skills; you will be stronger together; it will be a wonderful ecumenical witness to your community.
Click this Link to see an overview of all the VBS curriculum themes for 2015 ....including Group, Cokesbury & Gospel Light.

Music:
My number 1 recommendation for music DVD's would be Hillsong Kids. All their worship DVD's are high energy, fun, & most have hand motions & on screen lyrics.
Click here for my favorite song!

Top Websites for Practical Lesson Help:

http://www.christianpreschoolprintables.com/

http://www.sundayschoolkids.com/