Christian Education for Children and Youth

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We extend a warm welcome to children and youth of all ages to attend Sunday school at WUMC! Classes meet each Sunday morning 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. from the third Sunday in September through May - then we take a summer break. On this page, you will find information about the various Sunday school classes available at WUMC.

Remember to check this page occasionally to learn about the topics being covered in different Sunday school classes and to read about special projects completed by some of the classes. Also, be sure to visit the Special Programs Through the Year page of this site to learn more about the events and activities provided for children, youth, and their families at WUMC. You can also see photos of these special programs and events by visiting the Children's CE Photo Album page.
 

Sunday School Registration Form

To register your child or youth to participate in a Sunday school class at WUMC, please complete the Registration Form that is available as a downloadable PDF file. Return the completed form to your child's Sunday school teacher, the church office, or the Director of Christian Education.

  

"Everywhere Fun Fair" Vacation Bible School - August 5-9

 

We are already busy planning this year's Vacation Bible School that will be held August 5-9 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Every year we team up with St. Paul’s Lutheran and Faith United Church of Christ to plan an exciting and fun-filled week-long Vacation Bible School. This year Faith UCC is our host!

 

Plan to join us the week of August 5th as we learn about our "neighbors" who live in Japan, Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Mexico. We'll also discover ways to love and serve God in our world with Everywhere Fun Fair.

So mark your calendars now for a week of fun and learning!

 

VBS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Vacation Bible School Leaders and helpers are needed in the following areas:
  - Teachers and helpers for our preschool, kindergarten and 1st grade, 2nd and 3rd grades,  
    and 4th through 6th grades

  - Leaders and helpers for our craft, recreation, and science stations

  - People who are crafty, imaginative, and who would like to help with our decorations and decorating

Please let Barbara Manhardt or Denise Barham know if you are able to help either by e-mail or phone (wumc@williamsvilleumc.org;  634-4800).

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL DECORATIONS NEEDED

We are looking for items from Japan, Zimbabwe, England, Mexico, or Australia to help decorate for VBS. If you have any items such as:

  - Maps
  - Flags
  - Globes
  - Piñatas
  - Posters
  - Postcards

OR any other items you may have from one of these countries. You can drop items off at the church or give them to Barbara Manhardt. *Please be sure that anything you want to be returned is marked with your name.

 

Junior High Sunday School

Shelley Kayne and Tony DelGobbo

Our Junior High Sunday School, 5th through 8th grades, is located in a comfortable 2nd floor class room, at the top of stairs from the Main street entrance. Shelley Kane and Tony DelGobbo are the junior high teachers; both are long-time church members and have children who attended our Sunday School program.

This year we have an enrollment of 13 children and each Sunday class usually has 6 to 9 youths in attendance. We provide a caring, learning environment within our safe sanctuary, building faith and developing an understanding of God through bible study, prayer, and learning about Jesus. Our teaching basis uses the two Sunday bible readings, showing how they apply to our contemporary daily lives. We teach Stewardship, our church and its history, and the mission of our church. Short, curious and funny videos are shown that reinforce the teachings of Jesus.

Our students are a lively bunch; they pay attention, ask questions, and enjoy the refreshments provided. We always welcome friends and new students to the class. At the end of each class we hold hands in a circle and pray, especially for folks who are in need.

In summary, we encourage and enjoy discussions about applying Jesus' teaching in our everyday lives and use examples and our own experiences to reinforce a Christian life style. Please join us!

Stewardship for Children and Youth

Offering envelopes will be offered to each child ages three through 8^th grade during the first few weeks of Sunday school. Every year, our children and youth Sunday school classes discuss the different ways we can help our church, community and global ministries, either through our time, talents or treasure. The set of offering envelopes sent home is to aid them in the treasure stewardship, if they so choose. During Sunday school a collection basket will be passed, much like we do in our regular church services. Parents, please take some time each week to discuss what your child was able to share that week . . . whether it be time, talent or treasure! Together we’re always able to make a difference.

  

Sunday Morning Education Opportunities for Children

Our Sunday school classes for children and youth are held each Sunday during the church calendar year, which runs from mid-September through the last Sunday in May. Sunday school classes meet from 9:50-10:30 a.m. between WUMC’s two worship services. The Christian Education Registration form for Sunday school and youth groups can be downloaded using the link provided in the section on this page titled "Sunday School Registration Form." Each year we plan exciting new ways for the children to learn about God, faith, and Biblical principles. Be sure to visit the Children's Christian Education Photo Album page to see photos of some of these fun-filled activities. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Director of Christian Education (634-4800).

Infant and Toddler Crib Room

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Loving, consistent infant and toddler care is provided by Kathy Ciccone and two Nursery Care Assistants in the Crib Room every Sunday morning. The Crib Room is available 15 minutes before the first worship service and closes 15 minutes after the last service. The Crib Room uses a paging system to quietly alert parents when they are needed. The Infant and Toddler Crib Room is located on the lower level of the church, across from the kitchen. Please ask an usher if you need directions.

Three- and Four-Year-Old Class *

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Our 3- and 4-year-old class meets in the first classroom on the left at the bottom of the stairs of the Oakgrove entrance. Please join your teacher, Ms. Susan Dow, as she teaches you to Grow, Proclaim, Serve: Grow Your Faith by Leaps and Bounds.”

 

Kindergarten through Fourth Grade Class * 

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To find this class, head down the Oakgrove entrance stairs and go straight into Fillmore Hall. It’s the large room through the fourth door on the right. There you’ll find the children are divided into groups depending on their grade. Kindergartners, first and second, and finally third and fourth grades are together. The curriculum we use is the Power Xpress Rotation model. That means every week the children will learn the lesson in a different way. Some weeks they might be hearing the story, other weeks they might be cooking, making crafts, doing a science project, or even playing a computer game! This year we will begin with the story of Jonah and the Whale.

* To aid us in following the Safe Sanctuary guidelines, please encourage your children to use the bathrooms before entering the classrooms. Thanks for understanding!

Fifth through Eighth Grade Class 

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Join us upstairs (first door on the left) each Sunday morning as we discuss topics based on the Sunday sermons. Mr. Tony DelGobbo and Mrs. Shelley Kayne will be teaching the class again this year and look forward to guiding our junior high members in their spiritual journey.

Ninth through Twelfth Grade Class

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There is a Sunday School class just for you - come join us this Sunday!

We meet every Sunday from 10:00 to 10:40 a.m. in the Senior High room upstairs. Discussion topics range from what’s happening at school to world events and everything in between. We look at these issues through the lens of scripture, tradition, experience, and reason (the Wesley Quadrilateral).

Join us this Sunday if you are interested in becoming part of this enlightening, informative group on a regular, or rotating, basis. For more information, contact Mary Valentine or Pastor Rich Neal.

Stewardship for Senior High Youth

Each year, the Senior High Youth receive their offering envelopes at the same time the rest of the adults receive them. Parents of Senior High Youth are encouraged to talk about reasonable stewardship commitments with your teen before they make their pledge, factoring in allowance, other sources of income, etc. Please follow up with them periodically through the year to see how they are doing in honoring their commitment. Please remember that the church includes the pledges made by the youth into our budgets, just as we do with all our adults, so it is important to make realistic pledges that can be honored. With college or jobs on the horizon, now is the perfect time to teach your youth about budgeting their money and time! Thanks for your help!