Children & Families
Core Values
+ All children are beloved and are special to God. All means all.
+ Loving God and loving neighbor are central to who we are.
+ Children are present-day disciples, not just future ones!
+ An everyday faith that shapes every part of our lives matters.
Core Practices
+ Offering hands-on, age-appropriate ways for children to encounter God.
+ Serving our neighbors and participating in God’s dream for the world.
+ Nurturing space for children to be full participants and leaders in the life of the Church.
+ Supporting families so they can build faith-filled homes and holy rhythms.
Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me. Don’t keep them away. The Kingdom of heaven belongs to people like them.'
Sunday Mornings for Kids
Worship
We believe worship is one of the greatest gifts we can share with our West Market kids! In just one hour, kids can experience God’s presence through music, scripture, religious symbols, preaching, prayer, sacraments, sharing our gifts, and community.
Prayground
Prayground is an engaging place for families to worship together. The space is supplied with a rug, quiet toys, books, puzzles, drawing materials, and other tangible ways for children to spend time with God and is available in both the Fellowship Hall for our 9am Modern Worship and the Sanctuary for our 11am Traditional Worship.
Nursery
Our paid nursery staff offer experienced, warm Christian care each Sunday for children birth through age 4 in Room 224 during both the 9am and 11am worship services. At 10am, our littlest ones also enjoy Bible stories, songs, and activities in Room 224.
Faith Formation
On Sunday mornings at 10am, each week we seek to connect our faith to our lives in meaningful and exciting ways through Bible stories, art, games, movement, music, prayer, and more! Ages 0-3 meet in the nursery (Room 224), PreK-2nd grade meets in Room 304D, and 3rd-5th grade meets in Room 304B.
Stay Connected
Interested in receiving our Children & Family Ministries weekly email update? Complete the form to sign up.
Ways to Serve
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Serve in Worship
Children are present-day disciples, not just future ones. It is our joy to find ways for children to lead us in worship as acolytes, scripture readers, communion servers, and more.
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Families SERVE
Opportunities for families with children to serve together across generations. Meets about 1-2 times a month, often on Sunday afternoons.
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Go SERVE
A 3-day summer experience for rising 3rd-5th graders to serve, learn, and be a part of God’s work in the world. Each day focuses on justice issues with trips to local organizations where we serve and learn about that work.
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Egg Hunt for Good
Egg Hunt for Good is an opportunity for kids (and adults) to experience an Easter Egg Hunt in a fun, new way. It’s free to everyone! We invite you to bring a food item donation to benefit local college food pantries.
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Serving in Children & Family Ministries
Help serve in our Children & Family Ministries with number of serving opportunities available. Volunteers are asked to complete our Safe Sanctuaries training.
FAQs
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Research shows that children being in communal worship is the strongest indicator for future church participation in adulthood. Worship is one of the basic ways people learn what it means to be a Christian.
Worship gives us a glimpse of God’s great big love here and now. When children participate, they are able to experience God’s vision for us as people of faith.
Being fully present in worship gives more space for children to lead in worship as readers, acolytes, ushers, greeters, as the body of Christ is incomplete without their gifts!
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For younger children, we invite parents to sit in the space with their children. For older children, parents may want to sit in the nearby vicinity, as the prayground will not be staffed by volunteers.
Some children might do well sitting in their seats until a certain part of the service and then moving to the prayground to let their wiggles out or to enhance their engagement. Our hope is that it provides space and tools for families to meaningfully encounter God in worship together.
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Four times a year, we deliver bags filled with items to help you incorporate simple, fun, and meaningful ways to spend time with God in your everyday lives. And once a year, we provide a developmentally-appropriate, faith-based book to add to your at-home library!
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Accessibility is important to us! If your child has a special need, please contact rachel@westmarketchurch.org so that we can learn how we can best partner with you. We strive to offer space where everyone can belong and thrive.
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We seek to provide a safe and sacred environment for all participants, including our children, youth, and vulnerable adults. To that end, our congregation adheres to Safe Sanctuaries policies which include volunteer screening procedures, training, supervision, and communication protocols. Learn more about Safe Sanctuaries and how you can get certified. LEARN MORE.
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At West Market Street United Methodist Church, we believe providing high-quality early childhood education is one way we can work for justice in the world. Learn more about our amazing, 5-star, licensed Early Childhood Center at this link.
Rachel D. Benton
Director of Children & Family Ministries
A native of Winston-Salem and a life-long United Methodist, Rachel is a graduate of Wofford College (BA in Religion & History) and Duke Divinity School (Master of Divinity with a Certificate in Christian Education) with over 15 years of professional experience in Children’s Ministry and Family Faith Formation. Rachel believes that children are present-day disciples (not just future or preparatory ones!) whose full participation in the life of a congregation draws all of the body of Christ into deeper faithfulness. Rachel is married to Rev. Jeremy Benton, an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church who is currently serving as the Associate Pastor at West Market Street UMC. Rachel and Jeremy have two children, who constantly remind them (and teach them) of God’s grace and expansive love!
