Children & Family Ministries
OUR MISSION FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Living in God's amazing grace, we partner with families to reach and teach children to love God, love one another, grow in Christ, and go in Christ. Goals: 1. To support, empower, and equip parents and families through small group education and relationship building opportunities. 2. To share with the children God’s love in word, action and deeds by providing meaningful, experiential programming in small group settings. The Children and Family Ministry team consists of members who have a heart for Christ, a love for children, and gifts to serve in the areas of this particular ministry mission. They work as a small group, meeting every four to six weeks to be in God’s word, to pray together, and to implement the above stated goals. Meetings also consist of reassessing what we are doing, what is working, what no longer serves the mission of Peace and/or this ministry, and looking at new ideas and additions. If this sounds like you, please know that It always fills us with joy to welcome new members to our team and we would love to hear from you! 
WEEKLY CHILDREN'S MESSAGE SIGN UP: This fall we are trying something new on Sundays! The Children's Message will be moved up in the worship service, before the readings. Following the Children's Message, all kids will be invited to participate in a Children's Time outside the sanctuary during the readings and sermon. After the sermon the children will return for the sending song and blessing.
Kids will get to hear the gospel story at their level and do an activity related to that story. The activity could include arts, crafts, or games that are related to the gospel story. Of course, creativity is always welcome, so use your imagination! Every week we will need one adult to plan and lead the Children's Message and Children's Time. We will also need one other adult to assist, so please sign up today. The lead volunteer should plan for 15-20 minutes of time with the kids. See Pastor Lauren or Vicar Melissa with questions! |
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School for 2/3-year-olds through 12th graders will meet weekly from 10:15-11:15 am. Our curriculum is interactive and fun! On Sunday mornings we also provide nursery care for our very youngest during worship and Sunday School.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Vacation Bible School is a week full of fun, laughter, and learning! Our evening program is held during one week of the summer.
We start with dinner at 5:30 pm and continue with our program from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Classes are offered for rising 3-year-olds through High School. Our program is very low-cost (scholarships available: just check "scholarship requested" on your registration form) and open to the community!
We typically host 60-70 children, 2/3 of which are guests to our church, many of whom return year after year. Our volunteers are just as plentiful and include high school youth, parents, grandparents, and those who just want to join the fun. Volunteer opportunities include dinner preparation, greeting, registration, fundraising, photography, praise band, crafts, snacks, games, nursery, teaching, and, of course, planning and coordinating. Interested in helping? Contact the office at 434-978-4357 or plchurchcville@gmail.com.
Past year summaries:
VBS 2017: Vacation Bible School God our Creator Art Camp brought out the creative side in everyone! Campers chose to focus on visual arts, dance, science, cooking, or try a little bit of everything. Hollymead Art Teacher Molly Foster provided our middle/high school program. Highlights included a drum circle led by a professional percussionist, blasting rockets into the sky, practicing yoga, placing our painted rocks near the columbarium to beautify that area, and singing those catchy songs every night. We loved it so much we may do it again next year! Do you want to keep singing the songs we sang at Vacation Bible School? Here's a link so you can sing them at home!
VBS 2016: We traveled across the ocean and back in time to Ancient Egypt for Joseph's Journey from Prison to Palace. We learned about Joseph each evening by visiting him in his prison cell or his throne room, sang songs, made bricks to build the pyramids, wrapped up some mummies and even caught some wild animals!
VBS 2015: We had fun "SPLASHING" into God's word and learned Bible stories from the old and new testament. Our new Science workshop was a huge hit, as well as Games and Crafts. It was a fun filled week with our WPLC New Desk and our exclusive interviews! At the end of the week every child was sent home with their very own Bible!
VBS 2014: There was so much to do in God's Backyard! We learned how to help others in our schools, churches, and neighborhoods by loving them like God loves us.
VBS 2013: We took a walk on the wild side at the Kingdom of the Son! During our safari, the children memorized each section of the Lord's Prayer and learned how to apply it to their every day lives.
VBS 2012: We took a year off while construction of the new addition was underway.
VBS 2011: It was a Beach Blast! We surfed through the scripture and learned how God keeps His promises, meets our needs, listens to and answers prayers, is always present in our lives, and loves us so much that he sent His son Jesus to die for us.
VBS 2010: Seek, Trek, Find! We journeyed through the wilderness and learned that God is always there to guide us and give us courage. God gives us His word so that we can grow as disciples and then go out and share His message.
VBS 2009: Super powers unite! The kids joined the League of Disciples and learned how to have a Mind transformed by the Word, Feet of a servant, Arms of love, a Voice to speak the good news, and Knees for prayer.
We start with dinner at 5:30 pm and continue with our program from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Classes are offered for rising 3-year-olds through High School. Our program is very low-cost (scholarships available: just check "scholarship requested" on your registration form) and open to the community!
We typically host 60-70 children, 2/3 of which are guests to our church, many of whom return year after year. Our volunteers are just as plentiful and include high school youth, parents, grandparents, and those who just want to join the fun. Volunteer opportunities include dinner preparation, greeting, registration, fundraising, photography, praise band, crafts, snacks, games, nursery, teaching, and, of course, planning and coordinating. Interested in helping? Contact the office at 434-978-4357 or plchurchcville@gmail.com.
Past year summaries:
VBS 2017: Vacation Bible School God our Creator Art Camp brought out the creative side in everyone! Campers chose to focus on visual arts, dance, science, cooking, or try a little bit of everything. Hollymead Art Teacher Molly Foster provided our middle/high school program. Highlights included a drum circle led by a professional percussionist, blasting rockets into the sky, practicing yoga, placing our painted rocks near the columbarium to beautify that area, and singing those catchy songs every night. We loved it so much we may do it again next year! Do you want to keep singing the songs we sang at Vacation Bible School? Here's a link so you can sing them at home!
VBS 2016: We traveled across the ocean and back in time to Ancient Egypt for Joseph's Journey from Prison to Palace. We learned about Joseph each evening by visiting him in his prison cell or his throne room, sang songs, made bricks to build the pyramids, wrapped up some mummies and even caught some wild animals!
VBS 2015: We had fun "SPLASHING" into God's word and learned Bible stories from the old and new testament. Our new Science workshop was a huge hit, as well as Games and Crafts. It was a fun filled week with our WPLC New Desk and our exclusive interviews! At the end of the week every child was sent home with their very own Bible!
VBS 2014: There was so much to do in God's Backyard! We learned how to help others in our schools, churches, and neighborhoods by loving them like God loves us.
VBS 2013: We took a walk on the wild side at the Kingdom of the Son! During our safari, the children memorized each section of the Lord's Prayer and learned how to apply it to their every day lives.
VBS 2012: We took a year off while construction of the new addition was underway.
VBS 2011: It was a Beach Blast! We surfed through the scripture and learned how God keeps His promises, meets our needs, listens to and answers prayers, is always present in our lives, and loves us so much that he sent His son Jesus to die for us.
VBS 2010: Seek, Trek, Find! We journeyed through the wilderness and learned that God is always there to guide us and give us courage. God gives us His word so that we can grow as disciples and then go out and share His message.
VBS 2009: Super powers unite! The kids joined the League of Disciples and learned how to have a Mind transformed by the Word, Feet of a servant, Arms of love, a Voice to speak the good news, and Knees for prayer.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Since 1993, more than 100 million boys and girls in over 130 countries have experienced God’s love through the power of simple shoebox gifts from Operation Christmas Child. You can be a part of spreading the Good News and bringing great joy to a child again this year. We are currently taking donations for the shoe boxes.
Please consult the list below, information at church and/or contact Cheryl Craig (idesmarch51@yahoo.com) with any questions.
Suggested items to include in the boxes:
School supplies, toys (no military type toys or guns, etc.), clothes (t-shirts, socks, mittens, hats, etc.) toothpaste, toothbrushes, toothbrush holder, soap, soap dish or plastic bag for the soap, wash cloth, comb, hairbrush, play jewelry, hair bows, hair clips, bandaids, coloring books, candy (nothing chocolate as it may melt) gum, etc. If you include anything that requires batteries, such as a flashlight, please include an extra set. Do not include any liquids.
A $7 donation is requested to help with the shipping costs. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is included in each box in the language of the child.
Please consult the list below, information at church and/or contact Cheryl Craig (idesmarch51@yahoo.com) with any questions.
Suggested items to include in the boxes:
School supplies, toys (no military type toys or guns, etc.), clothes (t-shirts, socks, mittens, hats, etc.) toothpaste, toothbrushes, toothbrush holder, soap, soap dish or plastic bag for the soap, wash cloth, comb, hairbrush, play jewelry, hair bows, hair clips, bandaids, coloring books, candy (nothing chocolate as it may melt) gum, etc. If you include anything that requires batteries, such as a flashlight, please include an extra set. Do not include any liquids.
A $7 donation is requested to help with the shipping costs. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is included in each box in the language of the child.
ADVENT EVENT
Each year, we gather in remembrance, celebration and anticipation of God’s love for everyone. In the past, there was advent wreath making, the hanging of the greens, decorating the Christmas tree, crafts, cookies, and hot chocolate. Keep your eyes open for details about this year's event and get excited about connecting in fellowship and preparing, together, for God's greatest gift of all!
FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
A multigenerational Christmas Eve service geared both in time and message for our younger members, always followed by festive, joyful fellowship.
FAMILY EASTER SERVICE
A multigenerational Easter Service geared both in time and message for our younger members, followed with Christ-centered activities and joyful fellowship.
Generally we host a traditional Easter Egg Hunt at 10:15, following 9am worship! Join us!
Generally we host a traditional Easter Egg Hunt at 10:15, following 9am worship! Join us!
