Children Ministries
The vision for Eastbrook Children’s Ministry is to encourage children to proclaim and embody the love of Jesus Christ in the city and the world, as they grow in their relationship with God and other Christians in the church body.
The Children’s ministry team
Leslie Osborne
Children’s Pastor
Losborne@eastbrook.org
228-5220 ext 225
Ruth Carver
Pastor of Worship/Children and Youth
rcarver@eastbrook.org
228-5220 ext 246
Laure Herlinger
Early Childhood Coordinator
lherlinger@eastbrook.org
228-5220 ext236
Sherry Olson-Ngui
1st - 4th Grade Coordinator
sngui@eastbrook.org
228-5220 ext 244
Connie Rogowski
Nursery Coordinator
Vicki Yencheske
vyenches@eastbrook.org
228-5220 Ext 213
Children’s Spiritual Formation Classes
Beginning at 2 years of age children are encouraged to participate in Sunday school. Consistent attendance, made mandatory by parents, is the healthiest way to raise your children with a sense of belonging to God’s family, the church. At Eastbrook, Sunday school is more than just an academic teaching of scripture. We teach Bible content in age-appropriate ways with lots of hand on activities. But we also help children see how to apply scripture to their lives.
Just as important as Bible knowledge is the building of strong relationships with others in the church. Opportunities to share and pray with friends are part of each week’s Sunday school time. To further encourage friendships, we offer special events several times a year for elementary children.
We also value worship and so we incorporate some worship into the Sunday school experience. However, we believe that children are part of the whole church and encourage you to have your child participate with you regularly in Sunday morning worship. To help your children grow in their appreciation of worship and to potentially become worship leaders, we encourage you to have them attend children’s choirs (Sunday Mornings 11:30- 12:15).
Sunday Worship
During worship times (8:00 - 8:30: 1st service or 11:00- 11:30: 3rd service) children 4 years old and older are encouraged to participate with their families in worship. That is why we do not schedule classes for them during these. When the sermon begins, children are dismissed to classes — during the first service to Sunday School and during the third service to children’s choirs. The children are in classes for the entire second worship service (9:30-10:45 a.m.). Babies and preschoolers have care and/or Sunday school during the entire morning.
Preparing Children for a Positive Church Experience
Children develop positive attitudes by being with people who have positive attitudes. If you, as a parent are positive about church and talk about how important it is to you, your children will more than likely pick up on that attitude. If you as a parent believe and live as if church is a priority and you are consistent in attendance your children will have a similar outlook.
Besides modeling a positive attitude you as parents can do several things to encourage a positive experience for your child.
- Begin by ensuring they get enough sleep. Children do not need to stay up late on Saturdays. Sleepovers should include lots of sleeping or can be reserved for Friday nights only.
- Be sure children are fed before they come to church. Making a tradition of having a special breakfast treat on Sundays may be one way to start the day right. At the very least have some simple breakfast foods (granola bars, muffins, fruit, juice boxes) available to eat in the car on the way to church.
- Younger children should be taken to the bathroom before class. This is much easier on the child and prevents interruptions during class. Even elementary school children should be encouraged to use the bathroom before class.
- Talk about what happens in class. The car ride home is a great time to have children share what they are learning. Bedtime is a great time to review a scripture verse or reread the Bible story that was taught on Sunday.
- Anticipate the coming Sunday. Talk about how great it will be to be at church again and how you look forward to worship and being with your friends.
- Don’t let Sunday be the only day for God. Be sure to read your Bible and pray together all week long. Talk about what God is doing in each of your lives. Participate in a midweek Life Group. Look for ways to serve Christ together as a family.
- Don’t let Sundays be the only times your children see their church friends. Invite these friends to your home or along on a picnic or other family outing. And DO invite their school friends to church!
- Leave, toys, candy, food, iPods, blankets and other valuables at home!
- Squelch negative attitudes when they arise. Children may feel that something wasn’t fair or that something was boring. Listen to the concern but don’t feed it. Turn the conversation into a positive one by asking the child to think of one good thing that happened. Don’t accept “Nothing” as an answer. Help children to see that Sunday isn’t just about what they can get but also about what they can give. Ask: “What could you do to make Sunday a good time for others?”
- If conflicts arise with others, help your children to resolve them. Talk to teachers to find out what happened from their perspective. When appropriate help your children to ask for forgiveness or extend forgiveness. Help them to see how they can work to bring unity rather than conflict.
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