Youth & Children's Ministry

Where every little one is noticed, acknowledged, and embraced with love!
The Youth & Children's Ministry at Stilwell United Methodist Church is a vibrant and essential part of the church's mission, designed to serve the younger members of our community, from infants through to high school seniors. Under the dedicated leadership of Marissa Foran, our Director of Family and Community Ministries, this ministry is committed to fostering a supportive and engaging environment where children and teenagers can flourish both spiritually and personally.


Through a variety of activities, teachings, and service opportunities, the youth and children are all encouraged to grow in their faith, understand their unique roles within the community, and develop a lifelong commitment to serving others. The ministry's holistic approach ensures that every young person is nurtured in a way that addresses their spiritual, emotional, and social needs, helping them to become well-rounded individuals who are deeply connected to Jesus Christ and ready to make a positive impact in the world.

Sundays

  • Nursery care is available on Sundays during worship!

    Yes! For kiddos 0-Kindergarden age, bring them over to the nursery where Parents and Church members take turns caring for the children!

  • Is there Children's Church?

    Absolutely! While our Kindergarten-5th Grade friends are welcome to stay with their parents, know that they are always welcome to come learn and read from the bible while also getting a little snack and fellowshipping with their buddies. 

    We bring them back during the last hymn to be with the parents so everyone is together!

  • Can our kids participate in worship?

    Definitely! Kids are always welcome to stay with their parents during worship, when Jesus blesses the children, he says: “For to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it” (Mark 10:14–15). In Christ's eyes these children are considered examples, never distractions, and we feel the same!

    Christianity isn’t an adults-only religion, and worship isn’t adult-only either. So children learn that our God is FOR them!


    So, as you bring your children and youth to worship, please know that any crying, laughter, or all of the other unique sounds of children are welcome in holy spaces. Those sounds are holy. Singing, playing, reading, or being taught to use the bible, hymnal, or even a bulletin are all good, formative, useful, and important activities in the life of all Christians. You are welcome to bring snacks, covered drinks (sippy cups), or other items to worship and we also have some activity bags in the back of the Sanctuary with blocks, coloring books, and other fun things.



Youth

  • When do the youth meet?

    We meet twice a month on Sunday evenings! For more information and to be included on the youth emails, please contact Marissa Foran

  • Who is welcome at youth?

    Anyone 6th-12th grade is welcome regardless of any other factor! 

  • How can I serve?

    Email marissa@stilwellumc.org! We have tons of opportunities to serve in youth or kids ministry and we'd love to have you!

Other Programs

  • Parent's Night Out

    Parents Night Out (PNO) is a monthly ministry of Stilwell UMC in which volunteers from our church provide a kid-friendly meal and 3 hours of fun activities for children ages 3-12. For $5/child you can drop off your little ones in the Fellowship Hall while you take some time for yourself. Go on date, meet up with friends, go shopping, or do any other adult related activity knowing that your kids are well cared for by our church volunteers.  


    When registering for PNO please use the online form that’s found on our website (click the link below) to register your children as soon as possible (becasue space is limited). You will receive a confirmation email once your registration information is received with reminders and more details. If you have any questions, please contact Marissa Foran.


    Click here to register your child for PNO.


  • Vacation Bible School

    Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a fun and educational summer program that is designed to provide children with the opportunity to grow in their faith. This year, VBS will take place on June 17-20 from 5-8pm with a Special Celebration on Sunday, June 23rd at 10am.  


    Our schedule during the week will include various activities such as Bible lessons, music, crafts, games, and a service project. Every year, VBS is an opportunity for children to learn about God, make new friends, and enjoy a range of enjoyable activities in a safe and supportive environment.


    Click here to register for VBS or learn more about our plans for the Summer of 2024.

Volunteering with Youth & Children

  • Volunteers are always needed!

    Your time and energy are precious and valuable gifts - and so please know that your service in Stilwell's  Youth & Children ministries benefit the Kingdom of God in two ways:


    1. You’re teaching Christian love to the children through your prayers and your presence. By playing, singing, reading stories, teaching, and feeding (snacks are probably involved here too) - you become one the primary people that will help to guide their spiritual growth. To the youth and children of this faith community, you are how they come to better know  who Christ is and understand what Christ is like.
    2. You are also building and supporting the mission of the church by allowing the little one’s parents and older siblings to be fully present in worship, bible study, and other activities. This is the good and holy work of the Body of Christ, and it is a powerful witness to the world when a community of faith comes together like this.

    If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Pastor Phil or Marissa Foran and reveiw the Safety information in tab below.


  • Safety is a priority.

    For the safety and well-being of our children and other vulnerable peoples that the church often ministers to, Stilwell UMC asks that everyone who volunteers to supervise and lead in these ministry areas to complete the online abuse prevention training that is offered through Safe Gatherings. Safe Gatherings began in 2012 as a project to assist the Kansas East UMC Conference (now part of the Great Plains UMC Conference) and is grounded in the understanding that when staff and volunteers go through several levels of background checks, reference checks, and comprehensive abuse prevention training, they know better — what to do, what to look for, and how to protect those they serve.

     

    The Safe Gatherings online training will take about 2 hours of your time one evening. It’s an online presentation that you can read or listen to (personally, I read faster so it only took about an hour) and there is a 20-question quiz at the end that you must pass to receive your endorsement (there are some questions that reference the statistics they share, so pay attention to those numbers as you proceed through each section). There is also a roughly $35 cost for this training that the church will reimburse you for when you complete the training.

     

    To start the Safe Gatherings registration process, complete the Safe Gatherings application, and access the abuse prevention training, please visit https://safegatherings.com/ and start a “New Application.