Welcome to Sugar Grove Kids!  We at Sugar Grove love children and families.  We believe that children are important to God.  A child's faith begins to develop very early and researchers tell us that faith is pretty much set by the age of 9 or 10.  The words "formative years" are especially important in the area of faith development.  Further, we do not believe that children are only the "church of the future".  Children are the church of today!  To read more about our goals for children and families at Sugar Grove.....

The vision of the Sugar Grove Children and Families Ministry is to provide a Christ-centered nurturing environment for children and their families that encourage relationships with God and others.

We want our children to be lifelong spiritual growers.

• FaithWeaver is our integrated Bible class curriculum used in the 4 years through 6th grade classes.  everyone learning the same material on their own age level means parents can discuss the same Bible concepts with all of their children each week.
• Children's Worship is also integrated iwth Bible Class mataerial giving the lessons further impact as we learn while we worship.
• Classes are offered for children as young as 6 months.
  

  • Cradle Roll and one year old classes teach the same concepts each week as children learn that God loves them and created the world
  • Two year old and three year old classes build on these concepts with simple bible stories
• AWANA mid-week program coming in Fall 2009
  
  • AWANA is a program designed to help churches and parents raise children to know, love, and serve God.  It offers teaching that builds enduring faith and opportunities for building healthy mentor and peer relationships.  AWANA is known for being an evangelism tool as well as an outreach to our community.
• Camp Imani - A camp for children who have completed 2nd through 5th grade.  Spiritual growth and relationship building are the goals of this camp.  Aug. 9-14, 2009
• Sweet Pea Day Camp - A day camp at the church building for children age three years through completed 1st grade.  Spiritual rowth and relationship building are the goals of this camp.  July 20-23, 2009
• Kid'sRoad Map -a prayer retreat weekend for Live Wires.  July 17-18, 2009

We want our children to know that they are a part of the body.

• Rites of Passage that aide in a child's feeling of connections
  
  • Celebration of New Life - each spring we celebrate babies born or adopted into our families.  Each baby is given a small gift Bible with their name engraved.  May 3, 2009
  • Bibles for 2's - as children enter the 2 year old class they are given a children's bible.
  • Kindergarten promotion -the Sunday before school starts we have a reception honoring new kindergartners and their families.  A "real" Bible (NIV) is given their name engrave.  Teachers and others who know the children offer words of encouragement for the children.  August 23, 2009
  • Live Wire Graduation - as children leave the live wire program and enter the Youth Group we have another celebration with their families where they are given a study bible designed for their age.
•   Involvement in worship -
  
  • Live wires pick up attendance cards
  • Children involved in worship as scripture readers, communion helpers and prayer leaders as appropriate to lesson

We Want to support, strengthen and equip our families

• Relationship building activities
  
  • Family campout weekend - orginized in the fall and spring.  Oct. 2-4, 2009
  • Family field day and picnic - July 11, 2009
  • W.A.T.S. Summer Mid-week series - where appopriate famillies will experience these events together
  • Treat in a Trunk
  • Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
• FaithWeaver curriculum includes a parent page to help parents bring the Bible lesson into the home each week
• Quarterly newsletters communicate events and parenting tips for families
• Young Families Life Group - a group that meets at the building for the express purpose of equipping parents to raise their children.
• Vacation Bible School - a family event that provides entertainment and learning.  Classes for families include textual studies and parenting classes.  June 21-24, 2009
• Local Missions Week - in cooperation with Outreach Minister.  Aug. 2-8, 2009

We want our children to be safe

• Our reducing the risk program is in place to protect our children and our teachers.  Training and screening regimen required for all volunteers in children's ministry keeps our children as safe as possible
• Periodic Fire Drills are conducted during Bible Class time so that teachers and parents are prepared for emergencies.
• "Escape School", an abduction prevention program sponsored by Dignity Memorial, will be offered in the fall of 2009.  For more information see www. escapeschool.com/index.shtml

We want our Volenteers to beequipprd and appreciated

• Teacher trained either in person or online 4 times a year
• Teacher appreciation each quarter
• Teacher Appreciation Dinner once a year.  Teachers and their families will enjoy a hotdog cookout and picnic Oct 4, 2009