Children @ Trinity
Our children's ministry is a fun and dynamic environment that engages every one of your child's senses. Every week we have an interactive worship experience that includes skits, songs, activities, and games. We also have several seasonal events for your child to enjoy. Many of these events are created for you to experience with your child. You can find more details about these events below!
Children's Church-Elementary
Elementary aged students meet in the Fellowship Hall (AKA "Kids' Cove") for worship, prayer, bible lesson, and lots of fun during the 9:15 service! Each week, the children engage in a monthly themed lesson centered around helping kids grow spiritually, by teaching and discussing Scripture in in a fun and appropriate way. These lessons include the weekly Big Ideas, monthly bible verse, skits, life-sized games, Scripture reading, singing, and much, much more. The lesson presentation varies from week to week to keep it exciting and fresh for the students. They never know what surprise awaits them as they walk upstairs to the "Kids' Cove."
children's church-PK/K
Preschool aged and kindergarten children usually meet in the Preschool room during the 9:15 service. They are currently meeting in the Fellowship Hall with the elementary kids to be able to better social distance. Each week a friendly volunteer or two will meet your younger child with a smile and lead activities geared toward their age. They are the same stories, themes, and verses as the elementary students upstairs. The children are presented a Bible story and do various activities to reinforce the lesson. In addition, we help our children build relationships with each other by creating space for free play. Each month your child will be given a memory verse that corresponds with the theme and basic truth of the month. All of these elements are designed to be fun, experiential ways for your child to explore the truth of God's love!
Our children's ministry utilizes the Grow curriculum. Grow is a curriculum and strategy that helps kids grow in their relationships with God, with each other, and with the adults who care for them. Every week, kids hear Biblical truth through creative and multi-sensory teaching techniques designed to engage every personality and learning style. Then they learn to connect that truth with their real lives, biggest struggles, and most pressing questions through practical application and honest discussion. Each week, kids aren’t just told what God says — they also learn to discover why it matters and what they should do about it. Over the course of a year, kids will also be challenged to regularly practice four key spiritual habits: spending time with God through personal spiritual disciplines, spending time with others through Christlike community, discovering and using their gifts to serve God and others, and sharing their stories of faith. Plus, they’ll be given practical tools and experiences to help them turn these habits into action!
Still have questions? Contact our Families Ministry Director, Nancy Eberle.
Her office phone number is 419-238-9541 ext 1004
Her email is nancyeberle18@gmail.com.
She would love to talk to you about the awesome ministry happening here at Trinity UMC!
nursery
We provide a nursery for both worship services (8:00 and 9:15). All of our volunteers are trained in our child protection policy every year. This is a safe and fun space for our youngest children to play and be held. This is a nurturing environment but also a great way for children to get some interaction with other children. Our friendly volunteers will want to know about your child's sleep schedule for the morning and any allergies. These are terrific people who love children and love to serve their church in this capacity.
Family Fun Nights
Periodically throughout the year, we will organize Family Fun Nights so that families can have a free opportunity to get out of the house and interact with each other. Some of the things we have done in the past are movie nights, drive-in movie in the church parking lot, canvas night - where we painted pictures to go along with our art themed VBS, giant board games, and more. When these events are planned they will be announced at church and published in our newsletter. They will also be announced on social media. Keep you eye out for our next fun event for your family.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is held each summer for a week of fun and learning. This week is planned for children as young as three and extends to 5th graders. Youth and adult volunteers bring about an action packed experience. Each day is filled with stories, crafts, music, recreation, and snacks. Past themes for VBS have been a port city in Greece, a baseball stadium, a science lab, and an art studio. Whatever the theme, children can be assured that they will have a great time learning biblical truth.
This year's VBS was held on July 12-15th from 6-8:30 pm. It will be held at Trinity UMC (220 S. Walnut St, Van Wert).
2022 date will be set soon.
Trunk-or-treat
Trinity loves the community it is in, and wants to provide a fun and safe evening in October for families. Members of our church bring their cars, get into costume, and pass out candy from their decorated trunks to all of the costumed children who venture out. In addition to candy, we also provide free hotdogs, popcorn, hot chocolate, and other treats. We also have games, prizes, and an animal petting area. This is one way we love to give to our neighbors and enjoy the company of good friends.
Christmas Program
Children, from PK-5th grade from both Trinity and North Union, present a program portraying the story of the nativity during the 9:15 worship service the Sunday prior to Christmas. This program is prepared and practiced on Sunday mornings during Advent. This is a long standing tradition that has seen generations of students perform for their families. The youth and tweens, adult choir, and hand bell choir may also join in on this program, exclaiming the birth of Jesus. It is a wonderful time of celebration.
