Children's Activities
Child Care and Young Children
Our nursery care-givers provide comfort and loving care for children while parents attend Sunday School and/or worship. The nursery is equipped with a pager system that allows parents to carry a vibrating pager so they can be notified if needed. The MUMC nursery (Room 110) is located on the first floor of the church and is open during worship services and Sunday school. Since we have a large attendance, with each child deserving individual attention, parents are invited to assist in the nursery. Sign-up schedules are posted regularly. Children older than 18 months are included as listed.
Discovery Days Preschool
Monday, Wednesday, Friday during the School Year
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - First Floor
This Christian-based, tuition program, which began in 1978, is offered during the public school year. Children 12 months through pre-kindergarten are welcome. As they participate in age-appropriate activities, children are guided through the developmental tasks that prepare them for their formal schooling. Daily prayer, Christian songs and chapel are a part of this program. State guidelines are carefully followed, including two teachers per class. Call Director Courtney Gaunt, (573) 875-4886, for more information. A scholarship fund has been established for tuition assistance that may be given in honor or memory of a loved one.
Vacation Bible School
Each year in July VBS is held from 9:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. Monday through Friday. The dates for 2007 are July 16-20. Registration for VBS starts in the spring of each year. Lift Off for VBS 2007!
Safe Sanctuary Policy
The General Conference of The United Methodist Church in April 1996 adopted a resolution aimed at reducing the risk of all forms of child abuse in the church. The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church state “... children must be protected from economic, physical and sexual exploitation, and abuse.” God calls us to make our churches safe places, protecting children and other vulnerable persons from all forms of exploitation and abuse.
Purpose - Our congregation’s purpose for establishing this Policy for Child Abuse Prevention and the accompanying procedures is to demonstrate our absolute and unwavering commitment to the physical safety, emotional integrity, and spiritual growth of all our children, youth, teens and adults.
Statement of Covenant - We will follow reasonable safety measures in the selection and recruitment of workers; we will implement prudent operational procedures in all programs and events; we will educate all our children and youth workers regarding the use of all appropriate policies and methods (including discipline); we have a clearly defined procedure for reporting a suspected incident of abuse that conforms to the requirements of state law. We will be prepared to respond to media inquiries if an incident occurs. All persons involved with children and youth are required to be Safe Sanctuary trained. Monthly training is provided with dates posted in The Messenger.
