Greetings!! My name is Conā Marshall and I am the new Children’s Ministry Intern here at West End UMC. I graduated in 2008 from Michigan State University (Go Spartans!) with a B.A in Interdisciplinary Humanities: Sociology, Religious Studies and French. I am a first year Master’s of Theological Studies major at Vanderbilt Divinity School and I wish to pursue my PhD in Sociology of Religion in hopes of teaching at the collegiate level.

By Tiffany Kirkland

Jesus said in Matthew, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.”

CAMP E.D.G.E
[WEUMC VBS]
June 15-19
9 a.m. to noon

Come join us as we Experience and Discover God Everywhere!

This year’s Vacation Bible School is not your typical stroll through the woods. It's an action-packed, adrenaline-filled expedition where we learn that our strength and might come from God. For ages 3 through graduated sixth grade.
There is also an afternoon program for graduated third to sixth grade called “OVER the EDGE”.
Turn in your registration form TODAY!

The goal of OEF is to provide monthly activities during the school year for our 5th and 6th graders, so that they may develop lasting friendships among their peers and meaningful relationships with caring adults in our church community.

The activities include group recreational events, discussions, and service opportunities.

Parents are strongly encouraged to be part of one or more of the activities as chaperones, drivers, or the provider of a light meal.

Upcoming Events

The confirmation process at West End UMC happens in the 6th Grade year to mark the transition from childhood to adolescence in terms of one’s faith journey and one’s intentional participation in the life of the church. It is a time when these young people ponder what it means to claim the name of Christian and the tradition of United Methodism.

The confirmation process is also a gift of presence, instruction, mentoring, and community building, given by the clergy, parents, and other committed laity of the congregation.

Children of all ages learn to worship by worshipping. Children form deeper and richer images of God when they regularly experience worship with their family in the context of the larger church family, the body of Christ. They sense a connection to something that is much larger than themselves and their family.

Worship Packets

Communion
Children are invited and encouraged to partake in the sacrament of Holy Communion.

Over the course of their years in Sunday School, Children’s Worship, and Confirmation, our children learn of the many levels of meaning and symbolism of the sacrament of Holy Communion.

“All who intend to lead a Christian life, and their children, are invited to receive the bread and cup. We have no tradition of refusing any who present themselves desiring to receive.” The United Methodist Book of Worship, pg. 29.

Purpose: that our children may become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

As a congregation, we take seriously the challenge to Live the Loving Light of Christ before our children and those children beyond our doors so that they may….

• Learn to love Jesus Christ with their hearts, minds, and hands;

• Invite all people into God’s community of grace;

• Venture into their world with Christian hope, kindness, and service;

Age level classes for children age 2 years through 6th grade
Generally children are enrolled in the class of their age or grade as of September 30 of each year. All children, except 6th graders, are promoted to the next age or grade level class at the beginning of the school year in August.

Teaching teams:
Each class is led by a team of three or more teachers.

In third grade, our children receive an engraved Bible, given by the congregation and presented to them on one of the first Sundays in September during the 11:00 am worship service.

The third grade Sunday School class spends the remainder of the school year learning to use that Bible, studying many of the Old and New Testament stories.

If your child becomes part of our congregation after September of their third grade year, please inform one of his or her Sunday School teachers and we will see that he or she also receives an engraved Bible.