children's ministries
Children Are Valued at Grace
Children are valued by God and in our church community. At Grace, we meet children where they are, and celebrate the presence and engagement of children in all aspects of our Christian community. We provide quality child care, Sunday School classes, and special events throughout the year. Please contact Pastor Kim Neace, Pastor of Children and Family Ministries, at kim.neace@peopleofgrace.org or 630-355-1748 x 3241 for more information.
Register Now
Please register your child/youth for all children and youth programming. This includes Sunday Fundays, KinderTot, Confirmation, Sunday mornings, and all of the music options for children and youth. CLICK HERE to register
Children's Summer Faith Formation
At Grace UMC, we believe that parents are the primary faith-builders in their children’s lives. Faith formation is a journey that starts at home, in the quiet moments before bed and the loud moments around the dinner table. Our heart’s desire is to empower, equip, and partner with you as you lead your family in following Jesus. This summer, we are excited to offer several ways to help your family grow together, stay connected to God, and have a lot of fun along the way!
Worshiping Together
We love having children in worship! To help them engage with the service, we’ve updated our Children’s Worship Bags. Inside, you’ll find:
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A "Worship Wonder" Sheet: A guide to help your child follow the order of worship.
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Children’s Bulletins & Quiet Items: New tools to keep little hands busy while their hearts are listening. There will also be a bulletin that goes with the scripture each week.
Space for Every Need
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To Observe: There is a Quiet Area in the back of the Sanctuary/Activity Center. We invite you to supervise your children in this space so you can remain part of the worship experience together.
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To Recenter: If your child needs a more active environment to reset, we have a designated area in the Gathering Space. Please keep those items in that space. At 10:30 service, the worship is streamed on the screen there.
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For Our Littlest Ones: A nursery class is available for children ages 6 and under, featuring a special age appropriate lesson.
Summer JINGO: A Family Adventure
A family bag is available where you will find three JINGO Cards (June, July, and August). This is a fun, easy way to weave faith into your summer routine! Do the Activity: Work together as a family to complete the "Jesus-Inspired,", “Intergenerational”, "Nature-focused,", "Giving/Generous" tasks. and Other’s Focused activities. Fill in the box with a stamp, sticker, or crayon once you’ve finished that one. Earn Prizes: * For every 5 boxes completed, bring your card to the upstairs Welcome Desk on Sunday mornings or to Sunday Fundays for a prize.
Children's Summer Summer Calendar
May
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May 17 - Sunday Fun Day (Super Heroes) for all children/youth at 9:15AM in Fellowship Hall
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May 18 - KinderTot (Super Heroes) for all children under 5 and their favorite adult at 9:30AM in Room 122. Register at peopleofgrace.org/kindertot.
June
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June 21 - Sunday Fun Day for all children at 9:15AM in Fellowship Hall
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June 22 - KinderTot for all children under 5 and their favorite adult at 9:30AM in Room 122. Register at peopleofgrace.org/kindertot. During the summer older siblings are welcome.
July
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July 5 - Faith, Food, and Fun - an intergenerational event for all at 11:00AM right after outdoor worship at 10:00AM where we welcome our new Associate Pastor Sophia. Register at peopleofgrace.org/faithfoodfun by July 1.
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July 13 to June 17 - Vacation Bible Camp for ages 3 yr & potty trained to 5 grade. Register at peopleofgrace.org/vbcsnowball by June 1.
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July 19 - Growing in Faith Together for Adults/youth/children together at 9:15AM in Fellowship Hall. Register at peopleofgrace.org/gift.
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July 27 - KinderTot for all children under 5 and their favorite adult at 9:30AM in Room 122. Register at peopleofgrace.org/kindertot. During the summer older siblings are welcome.
August
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August 16 - Sunday Fun Day for all children at 9:15AM in Fellowship Hall and Backpack Blessings at all worship services.
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August 24 - KinderTot for all children under 5 and their favorite adult at 9:30AM in Room 122. Register at peopleofgrace.org/kindertot. During the summer older siblings are welcome.
Children's School Year Faith Formation
Nursery
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During 8:00AM and 10:30AM worship for 6 week-olds to 4-year olds in Room 130
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During 9:00AM worship for 6 week-olds to 4-year olds in Room 130
Children Faith Formation Hour
9:15AM to 10:15AM in Room 122
Grow Curriculum for 2-year olds to 4-year olds and Kindergarten to 5th Grade (age by September 1, 2024)
All-in-One Registration Form for Children, Youth, and Music
Register at peopleofgrace.org/register
Please register your child/youth for all children and youth programming. This includes Sunday Fundays, KinderTot, Confirmation, Sunday mornings, and all of the music options for children and youth.
Sunday Fundays
Register at peopleofgrace.org/sundayfunday
9:15AM to 10:15AM in Fellowship Hall on the 3rd Sunday of the month
Sunday Fun Days are themed Sunday school days that are typically on the 3rd Sunday of the month. These are VBS style days. Children 3 years and fully potty trained and up are welcome and invited to Sunday Fun Days this fall. Youth are welcome and invited to serve and have fun, too. This is a great time to invite friends and neighbors. Please note that November will be Growing in Faith Together (GIFT). Once your child is registered, you will receive a monthly RSVP via our system.
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May 17 – Superheroes
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June 21 – Fun in the Sun
Kindertot
Register at peopleofgrace.org/kindertot
9:30AM to 10:30 AM in Room 122
Calling all Kids under Kindergarten! Grab your favorite adult (s) and come have some themed winter/bible fun! Each week will have a different theme that includes play, music, a story, a prayer, and building relationships with other KinderTots and their favorite adults. Friends and neighbors are invited and welcome to be part of the fun. It's a great time to hang out and get to know others in a play setting. (*Denotes days that are not the 4th Monday.)
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May 18* – Super Heroes
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June 22 – Fun in the Sun
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July 27
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August 24
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September 28
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October 26
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November 16*
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December 14*
Vacation Bible Camp 2026
Register at peopleofgrace.org/vbcsnowball
Beat the summer heat with a cool adventure! It’s time to get signed up for summer camp—and this one is packed with Christmas joy. Join us for Cokesbury’s Snowball Challenge Vacation Bible Camp (VBC), where we’ll discover the wonder of Jesus’ love—Christmas style—right in the middle of July! Who doesn't have fun with snow.
Children who are potty-trained and age 3 through 5th grade are invited to five mornings of joy, music, games, storytelling, and hands-on fun designed to help us explore the sights, sounds, and surprises of God’s love.
Dates: July 13 to July 17, 2026
Time: 9:00AM to 11:30AM
Celebration Day: Friday, July 17, 2026
Kids will enjoy their regular VBC morning, then families and friends join us 11:00AM to 12:30PM for a special mini-session and celebration.
VBC Volunteers Needed
Want to join the team? We are looking for adults (18+), teens (entering 9th - 12th fall of 2026), and apprentices (entering 6th - 8th grade fall of 2026) to help lead the way. We’d love to have you on our Mountain Crew.
The volunteers are needed prior to VBC and the week of VBC. The expectation from volunteers who are serving the week of VBC is that they commit to the full week Monday to Friday. If you are unable to volunteer the whole week, many other volunteer opportunities are available. Please reach out to Becky Blachford or Stephanie Smith, VBC Co-Directors, at vbc@peopleofgrace.org.
Please register by April 30 so we can start creating a VBC experience that transforms lives. Sign up at peopleofgrace.org/vbcvolunteers.
All dates are subject to change. Please check back frequently for updates.
All Abilities Welcome!
Open Doors Ministry (ODM) provides support for those with special needs. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me." We are blessed to have children of all abilities and we nurture, support, and welcome them with joy! We work hand in hand with our Open Doors Ministry which supports children with varying abilities so they grow closer to God and can fully participate in the life of the church. Please contact Rhonda Antoniolli, Director of Open Doors Ministry, at odm@peopleofgrace.org with questions or for more information.
You are welcome here and we look forward to seeing and/or meeting you and your child(ren).
