Children’s Ministry

Children at South

Welcome to SonView Mountain, where kids see Jesus!

Kids at South are loved and treasured. Each week they “climb” the mountain together with caring teachers and helpers and enjoy a unique mountain-themed environment. There they learn of God’s plan for their lives as revealed in His Word. This learning occurs through relationships with other children, teachers and helpers as well as through age-appropriate lessons and, of course, through play and fun!

Every week throughout the year on SonView Mountain, you’ll discover a well-rounded program that includes Sunday morning classes, AWANA, Vacation Bible School, service opportunities, Kids Choir and more.

Our Vision is this: South will provide a safe, loving, creative atmosphere that introduces children to Jesus Christ by challenging them to grow in their faith through prayer, worship and the study of God’s Word and encouraging them to share their faith and give their lives in service to God.

Nancy Bassett

Ministry Assistant

Steph Atchison

Children’s Ministry Director for Elementary

Kathy Risch

Children's Ministry Director for Early Childhood

Callie Risch

Nursery Coordinator

Sunday Morning

Class Times

While you are attending an Adult Bible Community or worshipping in either of our Balanced or Creative services, know that your kids are learning and worshipping on Son View Mountain. Children can experience God in their own kid-friendly location in a class for their age and grade.

In order to provide a quality learning environment, we have a special time schedule for them. Children can be in class all morning or they can just come one hour. The second hour curriculum reinforces what is taught first hour and builds on it with additional activities and applications.

Class times are as follows:

First hour: Drop off: 9:20-9:30, Class time: 9:30-10:40 and Pick-up: 10:40-10:50

Second hour: Drop off: 10:50-11:00, Class time: 11:00-12:15 and Pick-up 12:15-12:25

For ages 2 – 5th grade we use The Gospel Project curriculum which takes children through the whole Bible in 3 years. Each story points to Jesus so children can understand the Gospel and our need for a Savior.

Safe Environment

We will do everything we can to provide a safe environment for your child.

• We have a check-in system which generates a sticker name tag for your child (and can include allergies/special needs)
• You will receive a claim ticket to use when picking them up.
• In case of an emergency, we have medical personnel on call during the services. If your child needs you, we will text you to come to the classroom.
• All rooms are equipped with a first-aid kit and instructions on emergency procedures.

Sunday Morning Adventures – Early Childhood

First hour: We have 3 classes – Lambs (2-year-olds), Busy Bees (3-year-olds), and Pre-K/K (for our 4 and 5-year-olds). They will enjoy a time of free play when they arrive. Then they will have a Bible time which includes singing, prayer, a short Bible video, and the lesson. At the end of the hour, they will do a paper project that will reinforce the weekly lesson (our 2- and 3-year-olds will have a small snack). This hour concludes at 10:40

Second hour: Children are welcome to stay in our program all morning. We have two classes: Lambs (2-year-olds) and a combined class for Busy Bees – Kindergarten (3–5-year-olds). We have a free play from 10:50-11:00. Then they will have a Bible time which includes singing, prayer, a short Bible video, and the lesson. At the end of the hour, they will do a paper project that will reinforce the weekly lesson. 2nd hour concludes at 12:15.

Sunday Morning Adventures - Elementary

First hour: 1st – 5th graders begin the first hour in their classrooms for time with their teachers to do pre-lesson activities. At 9:40, they attend a large group time to sing songs in worship that will prepare them for the Bible lesson. This time ends at 9:55. At that time, they head back to their classrooms to have the Bible lesson, activities and a prayer time. This hour concludes at 10:40

Second hour: Children are welcome to stay in our program all morning. We have a break time from 10:50-11:00 with a snack. They then meet in a large group from 11:05-11:20 to worship and sing songs that reinforce what they are learning in the Bible. After that, they return to their classroom to review past Bible lessons, have the Bible lesson for the day, and do activities and games which reinforce the Bible lesson. 2nd hour concludes at 12:15.

Nursery: The nursery is open all morning for our infants – 1 year old. We divide the children up into 2 or 3 classrooms based on age. We faithfully keep a 1 to 2/3 ratio of worker to children with these ages to provide for the safest environment.

Sunday Nights

3rd-6th graders are invited to join the Kingdom Rock Choir which rehearses most Sunday evenings during the school year. They meet in room 212 from 6:00-7:15 p.m. They learn about worship, prepare for the annual Children’s Christmas Program which is presented in December and present a musical program each spring. To register and see a rehearsal schedule, go to www.southlife.org/kingdomrockchoir

Kingdom Rock Choir

South offers a children’s choir program in order to teach children the importance of worship through music and the arts and what it means, and to provide opportunities for them to lead in worship through a variety of worship skills. For more information on the children’s choir program contact the pastor of worship ministries.

Kingdom Rock Choir (formerly called Kids' Choir) is open to students who are in third through sixth grade. This year we are also extending enrollment to seventh graders, to accommodate the lost opportunities due to pandemic closures. The rehearsal is during the 6PM Sunday evening worship service. This choir enjoys learning a variety of styles of songs that can be used in worship, they present a musical each spring, and they often participate in the annual Christmas production.

Click here for more information.

Awana

Parental Involvement

Parents - We are praying for you! We know that parenting in these times is not easy, and we need God and each other. We thank God for the partnership we have with you in the Biblical education and spiritual formation of your child(ren).

Being involved in what they are learning at church is key. One way is to volunteer in their classroom for a first-hand look at what is being taught from the Bible. You’ll be encouraged as you hear teachers bring the Bible to life and make connections with children on their level of understanding.

Another way to be involved is to use technology. You’ll want to sign up for our weekly emails and set up a free Lifeway account to access The Gospel Project at Home. We will send the link to the curriculum in our weekly email so you can access all the lessons, videos, songs, prompts, and activities to review and supplement your child’s learning. You can do this as a family, or have your child watch on their own. Be encouraged in your continual and faithful discipleship of your children!

Volunteering with Children

Time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters. Since time is ticking, we know how important it is to invest time into your child's life. At South Church, there are teachers, helpers, Awana leaders, Choir directors and Nursery workers who want, more than anything, for your child to begin to learn what it is to be a Christ follower, and to love His Word and His people.

Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Sunday Morning
Wednesday Night

Nursery

We consider it a privilege to partner with you in introducing your child to Jesus. Our goal is for you to worship or attend an ABC with a sense of confidence that your child is in a safe and loving atmosphere. In order for us to best care for your child we ask all parents to serve once a month during one service hour. We recognize that only one parent may be able to serve in the nursery, however many parents choose to serve together. Go to www.southlife.org/serve to sign up and Callie Risch, the coordinator, will contact you.

Q. Where is the nursery located?
A. On the first floor in the east hallway.

Q. What days and times is the nursery open?
A. Sunday morning at 9:20 am and is open all morning until Worship Services and ABCs end; Wednesdays during Awana at 6:20 pm. Please pick up your child promptly when services or your class is over.

Q. Who serves in the nursery?
A. We ask all parents using the nursery to serve once per month. Also, other caring adults and older teens help. All those helping will need to go through a screening process and background check.

Q. Who do I contact about serving in the nursery?
A. You will need to contact Callie Risch, our nursery coordinator. She is available Sunday mornings at the nursery counter or at southchurchnursery@gmail.com.

Q. When I check my child in for the first time, where do I go?
A. You will need to stop at the Children’s Welcome Desk in the east hallway across from the nursery counter to enter you in our system so you may use the kiosk.

Q. How do I check my child in at one of the kiosks?
A. Please enter the last four digits of your cell phone number and then choose your family name. Please select the child or children you are checking in. Be sure to select first hour, second hour or both, depending on your plan for the morning. Also, please make sure you choose the check-in person who has their cell phone with them. This number will print on the child’s name tag and be used to contact you during the morning if needed. *Note: your label preferences will be saved week-to-week.

Q. How will you find me if my child needs me?
A. Texting the phone number on the child’s name label is our first method of contacting you. The second method is to put the letter/number combination on your parent pick up label up on the screen in both Worship Services.

Q. How can I be sure that only approved people pick up my child?
A. For your child to be picked up from the nursery, the person picking up must show the parent pick-up label to the counter worker.

Q. What do I do if I misplace the pick-up label?
A. You are able to sign back into the kiosk and reprint your child’s name label (which has the pick-up code you need) until 12:30 p.m. If it is past that time, please see the nursery coordinator or counter worker to show your I.D.

Q. What do I do if I have children in multiple places since I only have one parent pick-up label?
A. You may take a picture of the label so you and your spouse (or another adult with you) may split up to do pick up, or reprint child’s name label.

Q. What does my child need to have in their diaper bag?
A. Please have a complete change of clothes; diapers; bottle or sippy cup labeled with their name; if used, a pacifier clipped to their clothing.

Q. Will my child be given a snack?
A. Yes. We provide Cheerios in the toddler-one room, animal crackers in the toddler-two room and pretzels in the Lambs’ class.

Q. How do I know which room my child will be in behind the nursey counter?
A. Infants are in the infant room until they start to cruise and pull themselves up. Then they move to the toddler one room. Usually around 18 or 19 months, they move to the toddler two room. They remain in the toddler two room until the 2nd Sunday in September (Promotion Sunday). If they are 2 years old by Sept. 1, they will move to The Lambs Class.

Q. I am worried about my child getting sick from germs in the nursery. How do I know the rooms are clean?
A. Every week the baby equipment and any toys that have been played with are sanitized. Also, we will not take children who show signs of sickness: coughing, sneezing, runny nose, fever, rash, vomiting or diarrhea. Contact with anyone that tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 14 days.

Q. Does the church have a medical team available during the morning?
A. Yes, we do. We have medical personnel on-call. There is also a first aid kit behind the nursery counter.

Nursing Mothers
· For your comfort and convenience, we have a place for nursing mothers to nurse their infants in the women’s restroom directly across the hall from the check-in counter

Vacation Bible School

Every Summer South Church opens it's doors to children who just finished grades K-5 for Vacation Bible School! The theme changes from year to year as we celebrate God's love with group activities, crafts, music, dancing, games and more. Check out some of our past year's themes below.

Previous Themes