Youth Children and Family
Children, Youth and Family Ministries
Adaption of Colossians 1:28, 29
We proclaim Christ, admonishing and teaching our children with all wisdom, so that we may present all of our children perfect in Christ. To this end we labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in us, their parents.
Children off ALL ages are valued and we love them at St. Andrews. We are also aiming to be a Kids Friendly Church.
Many activities are enjoyed by our precious children. We have a Children’s Programme every Sunday during term time, Youth Activities, Mainly Music, and Special Events. Through all these activities we ENGAGE with our children and their families. But most importantly, we are serious about supporting you as parents, grandparents and caregivers, as you ENGAGE with your children in your efforts to lay their spiritual foundations and shape their faith in Jesus Christ!
Kidz Alive…
Kidz Alive (our Children’s Programme) is available during TERM TIME. Parents have to supervise their children during holiday time. Activity sheets are then available for the children in the lounge area.
On Sundays:
We believe that children are a very important part of the church family. The children bring the symbols (their special Children’s Bible and Candles) to the Communion Table in the front of the Church, where the candles are lit. All the children stay in Church for the first part of the service. They participate in the worship, greet the adults, listen to a special children’s message, sing an interactive God song and a prayer is done for them. The children then leave the church service for their respective classes according to age. We have 4 classes with two rotating teachers for each class. The Kidz Alive Programme is run by a group caring, well trained and enthusiastic volunteers. A lectionary based curriculum “Seasons of the Spirit” is followed. The Kidz Alive Children’s Programme caters for children from 3 (three) years upwards. After the lesson the children enjoy some refreshments.
The children are involved in special All-Age Services. Each term a whole Church service is led by the children under adult supervision. A host of special services and other events are offered to the children as well. Puppet shows, special outings, holiday programmes to name a few.
Christmas Time:
Every year we participate in the Annual Waiuku Christmas Float. In 2008 we won the first prize in the Social Category (the prize money was used to purchase a lovely digital camera)
Every year a Drama is performed around Christmas time. Each family also receives a beautifully handmade Advent Calendar. These calendars are designed around the Advent and Christmas theme. Families interact with each other, saying prayers, reading scriptures and doing crafts together, while using the calendar.
Joseph & Maria with their donkey (glass figures in a basket) do some “travelling” during Advent from family to family. Each family keep them overnight and take them to their next stop, praying with the next family on the list. Finally the travelers arrive at Church on Christmas.
All the children receive a gift and out Intermediate age children going to Secondary School the next year receive a beautiful study Bible. We usually have a special service where these are handed out. Last year we ran out of chairs in the worship centre, so many parents and children attended!
Crèche:
A staffed and well equipped crèche is available for babies and toddlers up to 3 (three) year old. During holiday times the crèche is open (but not staffed)
Mainly Music…
Young children and their mums or caregivers enjoying music, rhyme, rhythm, creative dance and more on Tuesday mornings (school term time) at 10am, St Andrews Centre. Come along with your pre-schoolers to music appreciation and involvement and enjoy fellowship with other parents or caregivers. Morning tea provided. Suggested donation of $3 per family.
Young children develop skills - co-ordination, fine motor movements, large motor movements, social interaction, appreciation of music and musical styles, and language development. mainly music provides children with a structured learning environment and then a time of free play. mainly music brings adult and child together for a time of safe interaction, and in doing so, teaching adults rhymes and songs that can be used at home to help with cleaning up, colours, counting, and more.
There is an opportunity for parents to network with other parents of young children. We celebrate Easter, Christmas, Mother's Day and Father's Day - celebrating Mother's Day and Father's Day reminds parents that they are undertaking a very important role as parent. Celebrating Easter and Christmas may bring a new perspective to these calendar events.
In short, mainly music is an opportunity for adults and young children to build memories and spend time together, sharing special time with each other is the aim of mainly music.
The aim of mainly music is to provide an environment where young children develop skills to enhance their early education, through the use of music, rhythm, rhyme, and other music related activities with the participation of a parent or primary caregiver
At this session, adults and children are given snacks and refreshments. This allows time for children to enjoy each other’s company, and to develop social skills. It also allows those adults who don’t have a wide circle of friends to be introduced to others who have young children and they are therefore able to support each other. ALL WELCOME!
Youth…
On every second and fourth Sunday during Term time, we have a contemporary youth service. Games start at 6.30am, followed by the service. During the service we enjoy worship and a message. After the service we all hangout to enjoy yummy munchies! The youth go on regular social outings and also visit other youth groups in the area.
The Youth Homegroup is running on Monday nights, during term time, at the home of Alu & Sharon Wendt. 2B Brooke-Smith Drive, contact 235 5436, all welcome
