Every summer, we hold a one-week program for children ages four through fifth grade. The children participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing songs, play games, eat yummy treats, and create crafts. In worship the following Sunday, children are invited to sing and show the congregation what they’ve learned. This summer, our Road Trip VBS will be held in the morning on July 21-25. Registration is open now! https://loveu2.breezechms.com/form/a2bc151450
Children’s, Youth, and Family Ministry at U Park
Being a kid – and raising kids – is hard. We believe that all children should have a place where they can belong and be loved for who they are. We seek to support families in the most important work there is: raising healthy, resilient, compassionate children grounded in the love and peace of God.
We are committed to keeping our children and youth safe. All staff and youth volunteers go through training and annual background checks, and no child is ever alone with an adult volunteer or staff member. All Children in our care on Sunday mornings check in and will only be released to the adult who brought them or to another adult their parent or guardian designates.
Contact Bethany Hader Crabbs, our Children’s Ministry Director (bcrabbs@uparkumc.org), or Lauren Cowden, our youth ministry director (lcowden@uparkumc.org), for more information.
Sunday School
Children’s Sunday School meets every Sunday from 10:00 – 10:50 A.M. Because we value intergenerational ministry, our Sunday School groups are led by parents and other volunteers, so all our church’s children know adults in the church who are cheering for them. At least once a quarter, we also offer Family Sunday School where the parents and adults in our church can see what we are learning on Sunday mornings. You can also see what we are learning through the Parent Cue app which gives a weekly video lesson, mid-week devotions, and activities for you to partner with us in your child’s faith formation.
Child Care
Every Sunday morning from 8:30 – 12:00, child care is provided for children 8 weeks old through elementary in the Nursery and Elementary rooms on the main floor of the Education Wing. Our nursery coordinator and attendants are experienced, background checked, and first aid certified. We will ask parents to leave cell phone numbers with us so that we can call if your children need you. We use the Frolic curriculum to teach short age-appropriate lesson along with play-based activities.
Youth Groups
Middle School and High School youth groups meet regularly on Sundays September through May. We attend regional youth retreats with other United Methodist Churches and schedule events, retreats, and mission trips throughout the year.
Boy Scouts
Every Tuesday from 6:45 PM to 8:30 PM, Boy Scout Troop 5 meets in the West Fellowship Hall. We’re proud of the fact that Troop 5 is the oldest in Colorado and one of the oldest in the nation. Troop 5 has been hosted in our church for more than 100 years, and they’re still going strong!
