As always, our Child Care is busy making a positive and lasting impact on the many children it serves. Here are just a few of the upcoming events for October. Fall pictures of children will be held on October 4-6. The center will be closed on October 11 for staff development. During this time the teachers are provided with new ideas and strategies to implement in the classrooms. They are also re-certified and informed on updated health practices such as CPR and general first aid.

Please join Child Care for the Fall Family Fun Night on October 22 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This is a fun-filled evening of food and games for families. October 29 each class will be holding their Halloween parties.  It will be frightfully fun for all involved!
**If you have a Central Child Care sign, we would ask that you return it to the Church Office or Parlor to be saved for next
year. Thanks for helping us advertise and we will look forward to your help next year.

The Central Outreach Team in partnership with Shalom Zone and our Power Program will be sponsoring a Neighborhood Block Party on Friday, June 25. The event will take place in the grassy area across from the church on Mary Street and will last from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. We will have children’s games, an inflatable bounce house and slide, and a free meal for our neighborhood families. We invite the entire congregation to pitch in or attend this event to allow us to be the church outside the church walls that so often separate us from our
neighborhood. We will be sending special invitations to our child care families, the families at St. Lucas Place, and the families of all of the children who will be taking part in our VBS program that week. Please let Mike Warneke or Ruth Randall know if you would like to help out in any way.

VBS will be held June 21 through June 23. All kids
ages 3 through 11 are invited to attend. We will
begin with a meal at 5:30 p.m. and close by 8:00 p.m. each
evening. This year’s theme is Hero Headquarters and the material
promises a great adventure. On Friday, June 25, the
Outreach Committee will cap off the week with a big block
party. Please plan to join us for the week. We still need volunteers
and we will have our giving tree in the back of the
sanctuary to help with supplies and meals. To register, use
the forms in the bulletin or e-mail Nancy at nreid@centralchurch.
org. If you have questions, please call Abby
Warneke at 962-5755 or Amanda Schreiber at 437-2234.

Children love to be an active part of worship and one of the ways they participate at Central is by raising their voices in song. Children’s Choir rehearsals are an active mix of learning music and getting to know more about each other as we sing, clap, move and share our talents. Geared toward children in Kindergarten through 5th grade, this group typically rehearses each fall and spring at a time that coordinates with adult gatherings or best fits the needs of those involved. The Children’s Choir enthusiastically shares the fruits of their labor by singing in one or both worship services several times each spring and fall.

Nursery care is provided for infants through age two during all worship hours.  Children aged three and up are offered child care during the 8:30 service, with Sunday School and Kid’s Club to follow.  Child Care is also provided for special events and services.

Kid’s Club is the children’s church hour.  Following the children’s moment in the sanctuary, the children gather for some music, a brief devotional period and some prayer time.  Following their worship time, the kids are allowed to play Bible-based games on the computers or do crafts.  Kid’s Club members who are at least of Kindergarten age also participate in regular social outings.  We have a lock-in for the kids at least twice each year as well as opportunities to go swimming, bowling, or to the museum.

Central UMC uses the Workshop Rotational Method for teaching Sunday School.  We have classes for 3 and 4 year olds as well as classes for Kindergarten through 5th grade.  Our facilities are wonderful for the rotation method and we are able to utilize a computer lab, an amazing art room, a kitchen, a video room (with a microwave for popcorn!), and a gym for recreation.  Sunday School begins at 9:40 and is preceded by a light breakfast for those who might be running late!

The Power Program of Central United Methodist Church is an outreach to the Jacobsville neighborhood and has been in existence for nearly 20 years. The program was begun as an after school snack program and has now evolved into tutoring, recreation, snacks, and a Saturday morning playground. All activities are supervised and there is no cost for any activities.

Tutoring
Tutoring is offered on Tuesday and Thursday of each week from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. There have been students from UE and USI to help with tutoring as well as retired teachers who are members of Central Church. Children are encouraged to bring homework; however, if they come to tutoring without homework, we have an extensive library of children’s books, a computer lab with educational software, and a variety of games, puzzles, and flashcards.

POWER
Power is offered on Wednesday evenings. We meet from 4:00 until 6:00 for recreation and a hot meal. The meal is prepared and served by our adult Sunday School classes.

T-n-T
T-n-T is our summer recreation program. The children are provided with at least two activities per week during the summer. Programs may be at the church where we utilize our Family Life Center or the Art Room, or they may be off-site for swimming, bowling, the Children’s Museum, or other fun activities. Days and times may vary, but a monthly calendar is provided to the families.

The Saturday Morning Playground is offered every Saturday (except holidays) from 9:00a.m. to Noon and offers the children a safe place to play all year long. The playground is an indoor soft contained play system of tunnels, slides, and a ball pit. The basement area, which houses the indoor playground system, also offers foosball, air hockey and crafts. The playground is supervised and the kids are treated to a mid-morning snack.