Detroit Lakes United Methodist Church
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Children & Youth Ministries

 
 
Nikki and a group of campers      Welcome to a Christ-centered environment where children and youth learn and discover how to grow in their faith!  On this page you will find updated information about DLUMC’s programs for children of all ages. Our programs combine education and fun to help children learn about God.  Families need not be members of DLUMC for their children to participate in these programs, as we would love to have your children involved!
      Dates for upcoming children’s events will be posted on this web page and also in DLUMC’s newsletter, The Messenger. Often a Permission Form (for overnight and off-site activities) and Registration Form are needed for children and youth to participate. You can print out those forms from this page. Please contact me with any questions or for further information.
     Nikki Larsen, Director of Children & Youth (nikki@dlumc.org)
 
 

Nursery care

Nursery care is offered during both services and during Sunday School on Sunday morning. Infants through children age 4 are welcome to be cared for in the nursery. The adult Nursery Attendant as well as helpers in the nursery have received safety training and are well-versed in our Care and Protection Policy. The nursery is located in the preschool area, which is in the northwest corner of the church building.  From the church's main entrance, parents will need to pass through the Fellowship Hall to reach the nursery area. Please ask for assistance; someone will be glad to help you. Nursery may also be provided for special events throughout the year.
 

Sunday School

Sunday School is from 9:15-10:15 during the school year. Our Launching Sunday this year is September 11, 2011.  The curriculum for Pre-K through grade 5 is called One Room Sunday School.  All children will gather together at 9:15 for birthday celebrations, music, and offering and also at the end of the hour for review and prayer. During the main learning time, children will be split into age appropriate classrooms for the Bible story and activities. Preschool, K, & 1st Grade--Room 8, 2nd & 3rd Grade--Room 7, 4th and 5th Grade--Room 6.
Youth in 6th-12th grade--meet at the same time in the youth room for SWAT (Spread the Word Around Town).
 
Monetary offerings are gathered each week and given to a specially chosen mission project at the end of the year. The 2011-2012 mission is Nothing But Nets, part of the Imagine No Malaria campaign. The children will be raising money to provide much-needed mosquito nets for the people of Africa.  We hope you will be able to check out the display in the fellowship hall each week to see the progress the kids have made!  Former mission projects have included the local Becker County Food Pantry, Becker County Humane Society, and Gifts for Kids (through the local Jaycees).
 
Sunday School begins each year with Launching Day in September. The congregation and Sunday School children kick off the year with a celebration service that ends with a colorful balloon launch into the skies. The end of Sunday School is marked by Celebration Sunday at the beginning of May. Many fun games and activities are planned to complete our Sunday School year.
 
Sunday School children receive special Bibles to encourage them to read God's word. DLUMC presents kindergartners with The Early Reader's Bible, a great book for parents and kids to use together.  Sixth graders are presented with LIVE: Holy Bible, New Living Translation. This version of the Bible helps students find ways to live what they read.  Bibles are presented to students during worship on a designated Sunday in the fall, as they begin their Sunday School year.
 
Prayer Pals are assigned to Sunday School students in the second grade.  These Prayer Pals are adults from the congregation who promise to faithfully pray for their students  and take time to greet the children regularly, get to know them, and let the children get to know another “grown up” from their church.
 
The Cradle Roll acknowledges children of the church who are still too young for Sunday School.  During a special Sunday in December a roll call of these children is read and the congregation can "meet" its youngest members.
 
A Sunday School Registration Form is provided here for your convenience. Visitors are welcome at Sunday School, but when you wish to register your child or children for Sunday School, print out and complete a form and bring or send it to Nikki Larsen, Director of Children & Youth, or to the church office. Forms are also available at the church.
 
 

Outside recreation during Vacation Bible SchoolVacation Bible School   

This children's program is a collaborative event with St. Luke's Episcopal Church and the Congregational Church in Detroit Lakes.  Each summer the churches offer children in grades pre-K through grade 5 a fun-filled week to praise God!  
 
Shake It Up Cafe from Sunday to Thursday, August 14-18, 2011 at DLUMC was a great success.
 
Participants spent five days shaking it up and learning five secret ingredients for living as a follower of God:
     Be Ready for God
     Give Happily to God
     Believe Fully in God
     Remember Jesus Often
     Celebrate God Forever
 
 
They sang new music at Wok & Roll Hits, explored science activities at Foodology Factory, stayed active at Spork Sports, crafted fun projects at Tangy & Tart Arts, and enjoyed snacks at the Takeout Treatery!
 
Older students had fun being helpers with crafts, games, snacks, etc. Stay tuned for information about VBS 2012. You will be able to preregister for this by completing a VBS registration and returning it to the church office or to Nikki. Registration forms are also available at the church--a “pyramid” of information is located in the coat rack area.
 
 

Camp Minnesota

Camp Minnesota of the United Methodist Church offers a broad variety of camp and retreat activities year-round for youth of all ages. These camps and retreats provide a chance to learn a skill, meet new people, and encounter God. Northern Pines Camp near Park Rapids is the closest camp location to Detroit Lakes. Youth can also attend camp at five other locations in Minnesota. Check out the websites linked here or pick up a camping newspaper from the information pyramid in the church.  Register early for a discounted price.  DLUMC also offers Camperships (through United Methodist Women and the Endowment Committee) to help you pay for camp if needed.  Print out an application form here.
 

Kids for Christ (K4C)

This group, which is especially formed for ALF younger siblings, welcomes any child who is in grades 1-5. On Wednesday evenings (while ALF also meets) children are invited to come for a fun hour of craft and learning. Meetings will be on the lower level of the Sunday school wing.  If ALF does not meet, K4C also will not meet.

Kingdom Kids

Children in grades 3-5 meet once a month in the youth room at church, usually from 11:30-12 on Sunday, to learn more about God, grow in their faith, and have good times together. Quarterly they will meet for bigger fun events such as bowling, rollerskating, swimming, and bonfire and s’mores. Watch the Children and Youth page of the MESSENGER for the latest information!
 

Accepted, Loved, & Forgiven (ALF)

This group is for young people in junior high (grades 6-8).  ALF meets on Wednesday evenings in the youth room at the church. Sprinkled in amongst the regular weekly meetings are special events such as bowling, lock-ins, Valleyfair, etc. Youth also attend the JUMYs (Junior United Methodist Youth) conference held in St. Cloud on the first weekend of November every year. For the most current information on activities and meetings, check out ALF on Facebook.
 

MyBible

This study helps students in 5-8th grade--along with their parents!--learn more about the Bible together.  Trivia quizzes, skits, and crazy activities make learning the Bible fun for all. As the 5th graders study, they use the LIVE Bibles that will be presented to them the next fall.  This way the young people can personalize their Bibles with notes and highlights of special key verses, and when they receive them again, the Bibles are already their very own!
 

 

CONFIRMATION     UNDER CONSTRUCTION

 

Senior High Youth

Young people in grades 9-12 are invited to attend youth group every Wednesday at 7:30 pm.  A DVD series called Messy Stuff will be featured; students will examine the reality of our messy lives and discover how valuable they are to God, despite the messiness. 
 

How Can Kids Help?

Sunday School Mission Project. Bring a monetary offering (it doesn’t have to be a lot--every little bit helps!) to Sunday School and add it to the collection that will be donated to the special mission project for the year (see above).
 
Communion Helpers. Kids who are in 2nd-5th grades can help during communion each month by holding the trays where empty communion cups are placed.
 
Acolytes (Candlelighters).  Youth can help by lighting the candles each Sunday morning for 10:30 worship.
 
Nursery Helpers.  Youth who are in grades 6-12 and have completed  Safety Training and read through the Care and Protection Policy can help care for young children in the nursery on Sunday mornings.   The adult Nursery Attendant is always on duty to supervise. Safety Training is offered twice in the summer.
 
Vacation Bible School Helpers.  Youth who are in grades 6-12 and have completed Safety Training and read through the Care and Protection Policy can have fun helping teachers and younger students with lessons, skits, crafts, games, snacks, etc. during Vacation Bible School each summer. Safety Training is generally offered twice in the summer.
 
Usher Helpers.  Young people can assist their parents or other adults by passing out bulletins and helping receive the offering during Sunday morning worship.
 
Greeter Helpers.  Young people can assist their parents or other adults by greeting people as they come to 10:30 worship on Sunday mornings.
 
Special Dates
for Youth
 
Kids4Christ
Grades 1-5
Wednesdays
6:30-7:30 pm
 
ALF (Jr. High)
Wednesdays
6:30-7:30 pm
 
Senior High
(Gr. 9-12)
Youth Group
Wednesdays
7:30-8:30 pm
 
Caring Cookies
Grades 6-12
Sunday Feb 12
2-5 pm
Nikki's house
LET'S BAKE!
 
Cyber Safety 101
Grades 6 -12
Parents too!
Wed Feb 15
7:30-9:00 pm
  
Youth serving
Soup Supper
at DLUMC
Wed Feb 29
4:45 pm
Sign up on the
Fellowship Hall door
 
All Youth
Lock-In
Friday, March 23
Overnight at church
More details soon
 
Urban Servants Mission Trip
Servant Heart Ministries
Minneapolis MN
Grades 8-12
June 17-23