Central seeks to provide a welcoming place for families with children, to help children know and feel the love of God, and to help parents guide their children in developing their faith.
Family Mission Opportunities
Friday, Feb. 9, 2018 | The Children’s Ministry packed lunches, provided dinner for guests in the Central Night Shelter.
Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 | Some of Central’s children and their families gathered to assemble School Supply Kits for kids who attend Heritage Elementary School in College Park through Hands On Atlanta, an affiliate of the HandsOn Network, an association of 250 volunteer service organizations across 16 countries.
Children in Worship
Central is committed to welcoming children as full participants in our worship services. Children of any age are always welcome in worship with their parents. Families often serve together as ushers and greeters, by ringing the church bell, and bringing forward communion elements. Older children also enjoy serving as lectors offering the Scripture readings.
Children also lead Sunday morning worship specifically through Central’s music and arts programs. The Bethlehem Choir, pre-Kindergarten through first grade, and the Nazareth Choir, second through fifth grade, rehearse on Sunday mornings. For more information, contact David A. VanderMeer.
Sunday School
Children age three and older may attend their own Sunday School classes on the second floor of the Oglesby Education Building.
Childcare
Central provides a nursery staffed by professional childcare workers for children age three and under during the Sunday School hour. There are separate rooms for infants, for walking toddlers, and children age two and older. All rooms are located on the first floor of the Campbell-Eagan Building and open at 9:30 a.m. Parents are given pagers so that the nursery staff can notify them if their child is upset or ill.
Extended Session
During the worship hour, when more children are present, volunteers from the congregation assist the paid childcare staff. Extended Session is open to children age six and younger.
All parents of children in this age group are assigned volunteer Sundays. An online schedule is posted and parents who cannot serve their designated Sunday can trade Sundays with another parent and notify the childcare coordinator.
Sunday Family Lunch
Lunch is served in Tull Hall each Sunday immediately following the worship service. Families with young children are expected and encouraged to pass the line and get their food earlier. The cost is $8 for adults and $3 for children older than age two.