Childrens Ministry


	Confirmation Confirmation Classes begin each year in January and include 12-15 sessions. Taught by the church staff on a rotating basis, participants will learn what it means to Claim the Name Christian and United Methodist. The class is open to anyone 5^th grade and above. Confirmands enjoy a week-end retreat at our Conference campground, Blue Lake led by our Bishop. The Bishop’s Confirmation week-end is usually held in February. There is also a Saturday Day Retreat at the church where the confirmands design the stoles that they wear on Confirmation Sunday. For more information or to sign up for the class, contact Virginia Sawyer at 334-347-3467 or email her at virginia@efumc.com.


	Mission Projects FUMC is a mission-minded church and children of all ages are encouraged to participate firsthand in missions. During the church-wide Missions Conference, the children make layette bundles and school bags to send to UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The Sunday following the Missions Conference, the children launch the campaign to fill the arks for Heifer Project International. In October, the children sponsor Operation Christmas Child as they encourage members of the congregation to fill shoe boxes full of Christmas gifts to send to children in impoverished countries throughout the world. At various times the children visit the Enterprise Nursing Home and assisted living facilities singing and passing out hugs and smiles as they go.


	Mom's Day Out and Stepping Stones Preschool Our Purpose: FUMC MDO is a nonprofit program offering quality part time day care at an affordable rate. The MDO staff provides a structured , loving and Christian environment for children infants to 5years while giving parents peace of mind that their child is well cared for. Interaction and play are an important part of a child's day. We offer fun hands-on activities that foster learning and socialization skills. Programs Click on programs to see a more detailed description of Mom's Day Out and Stepping Stones Preschool programs being offered. *Click here for a message from Ms. Margaret.* For more information about our program or if you would like to enroll your child, contact the church office or the MDO Director, Margaret Gorum, Phone 334-393-2536—MDO office or 334-347-3467—Church Office or click on mdo@efumc.com .


	A note for Parents Jesus said, "Let the little children come unto me, and do not hinder them for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these." If you have ever watched children in uninhibited play, then you have witnessed the Kingdom of God at work. Children are so innocent; they are so fresh; they are so full of wonder, joy, and laughter. They are the picture of what God must want for all humankind! At FUMC. Enterprise, we are dedicated to nurturing our children. Through a variety of programs, we encourage their spiritual and emotional growth while providing them fun as well. Our goal is to support parents in their role of helping their children to learn and grow spiritually for we feel that our parents play the strongest role in helping guide their children down the path to discipleship. We invite parents to participate in all areas of children's ministries. We welcome your ideas, your presence, and your prayers as we minister together to "grow them up." Children's Corner Message. Click here. Ongoing Activities Our Nursery: Enterprise FUMC is committed to providing a loving, warm environment for your infants and toddlers (birth to 36 months) during Sunday School and Morning Worship Services as well as any services or meetings throughout the week. Sunday School: At FUMC we have an outstanding group of teachers who love Jesus and love His children. We have classes for all children ages 2 years - 6th grade. Sunday School begins at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 10:45 a.m. Our 3 year olds, 4 year olds and Kindergarteners have choir from 10:00- 10:15 in the Sunday School Room. Children's Moment: At the 11:00 Worship Service, children are invited down to the altar for a brief Children’s Moment led alternately by Steve Rutland and Deborah Owens. Both children and adults are delighted by the object lessons each week that help our little ones better understand the Bible’s message and apply it to their lives. Children's Church: At both the 9:00 Contemporary Worship Service and the 11:00 Traditional Worship Service, children ages 3-years - 2^nd grade are dismissed for Children’s Church. Led by parent teams on a rotating basis, children have fun leaning more about Jesus and His Word. Lessons involve Bible stories, music, and crafts. To help train our little ones to be good stewards, an offering is taken up in Children’s Church. Wonderful Wednesday: Beginning the first Wed after school has been in session for a full week and following the school calendar schedule, Wonderful Wednesdays involve children in grades 1-6. The vans pick up at all of the Elementary Schools in Enterprise and carpools can be arranged for children coming in from Ft. Rucker. Upon arrival, the children enjoy Snack time, and free play in the gym or outside on the playground. The group then divides into 2 groups which alternate choir and Bible and Craft time. Activities end at 5:05 and parents are asked to sign out their children in the gym before 5:30. Dinner for the entire family begins at 5:20. Adults enjoy fellowship around the table or various short courses which are offered throughout the year. Wonderful Wednesdays are a wonderful tine for the whole family.


	Special Activities Festival of Booths: Journey back to Bible times for a fun-filled and happy harvest celebration with our Church Family as we celebrate the Festival of Booths. The Festival is usually held on the Wednesday before Halloween and offers an alternative to Trick or Treat. Wear your happy costume and go fish in the Sea of Galilee, net along the Mediterranean, see the Juggler of Jericho, visit the Carpenter of Nazareth and the arts and crafts booths of Damascus, Antioch, Pamphylia and Philippi. Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. and end at 7:00 p.m. Children's Nativity Play: All children ages 2 years - 6th grade are invited to participate in the Children's Nativity Play which is presented each year on the 2^nd Sunday in December. Robed in costume and excitement, the children will experience and help us experience, the wonder of Christmas! Our White Christmas offering which goes to our United Methodist Children's Homes will be received at this special program. Easter Egg Hunt: On the Saturday before Palm Sunday, children from toddlers – 2^nd grade participate in the traditional Easter Egg hunt which is held at a church member’s home. In addition to the hunt children enjoy games and refreshments. Grandparents and visiting grandchildren and cousins always enjoy participating in the fun too. 3^rd – 6^th graders enjoy a not so traditional, Glow in the Dark Hunt, on the Friday evening before Palm Sunday. Flower Cross: Children and adults alike enjoy the tradition of bringing fresh flowers on Easter Sunday morning to be placed on the Flower Cross in the foyer. The beautiful Flower Cross stands as a testimony to our Living Savior. Preschool Cookie Bake: Once a year, moms, grandmoms and children don aprons and gather in the Fellowship Hall to make and decorate cookies. Beautiful and delicious cookies are then shared with the “cooks”, nursing home residents or shut-ins. Children's Celebration Sunday: One Sunday each year, either in late May or early June, the children are in charge of the Sunday Morning Worship Service, From the Prelude to the Postlude! Amen! All of the children's choirs sing and the children are the worship leaders for the day, participating in every aspect of the service. Sometimes they let the pastor preach, but the children do all the rest! It's a very special time for our entire Church Family. Vacation Bible School: Vacation Bible School is held each year in early June. VBS is designed to be an outreach to the community as well as an inreach to our own children. With a staff of over 100 adults and youth, we have a wonderful week with a bountiful number of children. Our VBS is held in the morning from 8:45-NOON. For ages 3-years –6^th grade and theme based, children rotate from different activity centers to enjoy the Bible Story Theater, crafts, music, recreation, mission time, and reflection time. Family Night at Water World: To kick-off summer activities, Water World in Dothan is rented by FUMC for our entire Church Family and their guests. Held prior to, during or after VBS, Family Night at Water World is a favorite as evidenced by 400+ in attendance. Summer Celebration: July is the month for Summer Celebration. Separate special field trips are planned for the 3’s, 4’s & K’s, 1-3 Graders and 4-6 Graders. Dates and activities for Summer Celebration are announced at the closing program of VBS.


	Blue Lake United Methodist Assembly Blue Lake United Methodist Assembly is the camping and recreation facility for the Alabama - West Florida Conference. South of Andalusia, AL, Blue Lake is a 62 acre crystal clear lake within the 350 acres of woodlands, surrounded by the Conecuh National Forest. Facilities are available for camping, swimming, canoeing, ping pong, horseshoes, hiking, tennis and softball. Blue Lake Winter Retreat: For children in grades 3-6, the Winter Retreat is held each year over the long Martin Luther King holiday week-end. Beginning on Friday and concluding on Sunday afternoon, this camp gives a preview of Summer camping life. Cabin living, Bible time, evening vespers around a campfire, crafts, recreation, making new friends and enjoying God’s beautiful creation highlight this weekend and is a favorite. Fall Festival at Blue Lake: Held in late October, this day camp is for children K-5^th grade. Children enjoy singing, Bible lesson, crafts, pumpkin carving, hayrides, horserides and beautiful Blue Lake in the fall. Parents are also invited for this fun day! Summer Camping Opportunities: Summer Camps are weekly in June and July. Rising 4th - 6th graders are eligible to attend. In addition to the traditional camps, a choir camp is also offered. There are 4 sessions in June and 3 in July. For more information or to sign up for a particular camp, contact Virginia Sawyer. Phone 334-347-3467. To find out more about Blue Lake, visit their website at http://www.bluelakecamp.com/Events.html