Children's Programs

Our Children’s Ministry (Birth through 5th Grade) offers programming in these area: 

• Nursery
• Young Children and Worship
• Kids’ Kingdom
• Vacation Bible Camp
• Special Events

Nursery: Nursery care is of primary importance to us at Dutch Neck. A regular, professional caregiver with years of experience provides both consistency and a loving presence on a weekly basis for our littlest members. Parents can then relax and recharge during worship service knowing their young ones are being nurtured nearby.

The nursery is open to babies and toddlers up to 3 years old beginning at 9:20am and continuing through our adult education programs until 12:10pm.

Young Children and Worship: Because young children need a special environment where they can meet and worship God, at Dutch Neck we provide an alternative worship experience for children ages 3 years through Kindergarten.

Young children sit with their families at the beginning of the 9:30am Worship Service.  Following the “The Word with Children” message, children are escorted by adult leaders to the Christian Education building next door where they participate in a worship service of their own.  This program provides wonderful and creative experiences that nurture children’s faith and prepare them to join in the full worship life of the congregation.

Children are picked up in the downstairs youth room following worship.

Kids’ Kingdom:  Kids’ Kingdom is the name of Dutch Neck’s Sunday School offering.  The children of Kids’ Kingdom (1st-5th graders) sit with their families at the beginning of the 9:30am Worship Service.  Following the “The Word with Children” message, children are escorted by adult shepherds to the  Christian Education building next door where they participate with other children on their grade-level in the “We Believe Workshop,” a rotation-style Sunday School program written by the Presbyterian Church of the USA. 

Our year is divided into seven bible-based units, each lasting 4-5 weeks.  In each unit children will rotate through sessions such as art, computer, drama, games, and music workshops.  Each unit includes a “Celebration Sunday” when families worship together in a child-friendly service that underscores the unit theme.
 

The Family Advent Workshop is a Dutch Neck tradition.  Following Worship Service and Kids' Kingdom on the Sunday before Advent begins, the entire congregation gathers to prepare for the Advent season by assembling Advent wreaths,  making things that remind us of the season's meaning, and decorating (and eating) cookies.  This event is a favorite holiday activity, full of fun and fellowship, that helps keep the season’s meaning alive.  

Vacation Bible Camp:  Each summer, Dutch Neck offers a week of fun and inspiring activities for children from Pre-K through seventh grade.  From 9:00am until 12:00noon, the education building is transformed into a galaxy, a beach party or whatever the year's theme requires.  Registration begins in mid-May for the July session, and the cost is only $10 per child.  All families from the community are welcome.  For mor information, contact the church office.

Special Events:  There are often special events offered to our famlies during the year.  In the past these have included the production of a children's musical to be performed as a part of worship service, family game nights, and programs about specific Church traditions.  Watch the weekly church announcements for information on upcoming events.