Children's Ministry Handbook

Welcome to the Children's Ministry

Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Matthew 19:13-15

At Saint Mark, we make every effort to include children in all aspects of the life of the church: learning and studying, worshipping and praying, singing and socializing. As the parent of a Saint Mark child, your participation and support is vital to the ministries we provide and to the love we want to give and share with all our children.

Families at Saint Mark come from around the metro area and beyond. Just about every type of family imaginable is found at Saint Mark, as well as open minds, open hearts, and open doors. We want you to feel welcome here and to know that you are an important member of this community of faith. We especially want your child or children to experience God’s love and grace in everything they are involved with as a part of Saint Mark.

Throughout this booklet you will find information about everything for children from music and worship to child protection policies – and a lot in between. If you have any questions about any topics covered, or not covered, please contact me either by phone or by email – or, just grab me in the children’s ministry hallway some Sunday!

I love being a part of Saint Mark United Methodist Church and I am going to love getting to know you and your child. WELCOME HOME!

Blessings,
Kim Sorrells, Minister to Children & Youth

Stay Informed

On this website, you can find out about Children’s Ministries in a number of ways:

• On the blue menu bar across the top of any page on the Saint Mark website, click "Our People" and then "Children". There you are able to access the Children's Ministry (their main page), information about Safe Sanctuaries, Holy Communion, as well as the Children’s Ministry Handbook with lots of information for parents.
• OR from Saint Mark’s main page, click on "Children" under "Quick Links" on the lower right side. Use the "Our People" menu to learn more.
• Or from www.stmarkumc.org, click on Newsletter. This goes to The Remarks, Saint Mark’s weekly newsletter, where there is information about upcoming Children’s Ministry opportunities. There is also a Quick Link on the left side of the eRemarks back to the main site.

To have your name added to the Children’s Ministries e-mail news list:

• Contact Kim Sorrells
• OR click on "Email Lists" under "Get Connected" on the left side of any Saint Mark webpage. Select any of Saint Mark’s newsletters (including the eRemarks and Children) or other notifications.
• To ensure that you receive emails from Saint Mark's Children's Ministry in a timely manner, add ksorrells@stmarkumc.org to your Internet Service Provider address book & your ISP SafeSender list.

For Parents & Guardians

In compliance with our Safe Sanctuaries policies, we are asking that you remember the following:

• If your child, infant-preschool, will leave worship to go to the nursery/Toddler rooms, you MUST accompany him/her to the nursery where you will “sign-in” your child. No child can be permitted to go downstairs until his/her parent signs this sheet.
• Sunday School officially begins at 10:10 a.m. for all ages. If your child arrives after Sunday School already is in session, YOU must accompany him/her to the classroom and sign-in your child. No child will be allowed to walk into a Sunday School classroom without an approved adult to sign him/her in.
• At the end of the Sunday School hour, YOU must come to the Sunday School classroom to sign your child out. No child will be allowed to leave the classroom with anyone other than his/her parent (or another adult who has been previously approved by the parent). Please do not send older siblings to pick up your child; remind your child that he/she must remain in the room until you arrive to sign him/her out.
• IF YOU DO NOT PICK UP YOUR CHILD WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME AFTER WORSHIP OR SUNDAY SCHOOL: he or she will be taken to the Children’s Minister ‘s office and the Children’s Minister will take the child to the narthex and will wait with the child until you arrive and properly sign the child out.

Other Information included in the Children's Ministry Handbook:

• Worship - information about Worship Service and how you can help your child get the most out of worship
• Sunday School - information about Sunday School and how you can help your child get the most out of Sunday School
• Nurseries are available during both Worship Service and Sunday School
• Covenants for Children, for Parents, and for Teachers & Other Workers. We encourage every parent to read through with your child and to sign. Please write your child’s name in the blank spaces. This will help you and your child know what is expected of you as member of Saint Mark United Methodist Church’s Sunday School and worship programs. Feel free to add any items that may be unique to your family. After reading the covenant, you may have everyone in your family sign it and post it somewhere in your home where it can be read often. You may want to make copies and sign a separate covenant for EACH of your children.
• Safe Sanctuaries Policies - For Everyone at Saint Mark
• Staff Directory - for contact information of teachers, other workers, & Children's Council members, contact Kim Sorrells, 404.873.2636 x24.