Children’s Ministry
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Vacation Bible School (VBS)
SAVE THE DATE! – VBS 2023 July 16-20 | Hero Hotline
As kids (called Heroes) experience Old & New Testament Bible stories through music, drama and storytelling, games, arts and crafts, science, and even snacks, they’ll learn that Heroes are called to Follow Jesus, Help Others, Work Together, Listen to God, and Show Grace! And, best of all, they’ll be invited to answer this call at VBS, at church, at home, and every area of their lives. Check out the Promo Video from Cokesbury!
At SCUMC, VBS is made possible each year through the gifts and talents of many church volunteers who work hard to make this a fun and successful event. Offered for children ages preschool through 5th grade, VBS is scheduled for one week during the summer, running from Sunday night through Thursday night. Dates vary each year. VBS at SCUMC is always sure to include cool crafts, amazing Gospel stories, fun games, great music, and exciting science activities! We close the week with an ice-cream party on Thursday evening where parents and friends can come to hear all about what we’ve learned.
VBS contact persons are Jacquetta Owen and Sandi & Galen Snider.
STEM Camps
Summer STEM Camps (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) focus on helping children to develop new skills through experimental designs and applications. Various classes are offered for two age groups (grades K-2) and (grades 3-5) with small group sizes of only 5-15 children, so registration is required. Certified teachers and volunteers lead each session, and have included such topics as robotics, cooking, sewing, music, art, Legos, drama, and science. Classes run for one week each, daily from 8:30 AM to noon. Fees are minimal, limited to only the cost of supplies, and scholarships are available.
Check back for more information and the Summer 2023 STEM Camps schedule!
STEM Camps coordinator is Jacquetta Owen.
Trunk or Treat
Our annual community Trunk or Treat is SCUMC’s major fall event! Held on the Saturday before Halloween in the afternoon, the church’s back parking lot is filled with vehicles with decorated trunks handing out FREE candy galore! Games, prizes, photo ops, and gift card drawings make it a fun afternoon for the whole family. Stephens City Fire Department sets up a truck for kids to explore and grab a photo with Sparky the Fire Dog! A costume parade concludes the event, escorted by Stephens City Police Department.
Trunk or Treat coordinator is Jacquetta Owen.
Easter Egg Hunt
Our first annual Easter Egg Hunt was held on the Newtown Commons in April 2022 and we can’t wait to continue hosting this event for our community for years to come! It is FREE and all are welcome!
This year’s date is SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2023.
With hunts for four different age groups (from toddlers to age 12) including a “challenge maze” hunt for the older kids, there are plenty of eggs stuffed with candy, prizes, and more to be found by each child in attendance. Also included for each age group are “golden ticket” eggs, which award the finder a FULL Easter basket with additional goodies! The Easter Bunny will be there for photo ops, Mayor Mike Diaz, Stephens City Fire Department with their truck and Sparky the Fire Dog, Stephens City Police Department for traffic control and oversight, plus there’s face painting (by Sherando High School students), lots of games, Balloon Man Mike Bulley, Lolo the Clown, music by Chris Huntt, Jr., Tree of Crafts will have a table with free craft projects to do and take home, and…
*new for 2023* – FOOD TRUCKS!
Be sure to check out the flower sale & bake sale being held at the same time by our United Women in Faith. A fun afternoon for the whole family! Don’t forget to bring your own basket and money for food – some of the food vendors will be *cash only.*
Schedule:
1:00 pm – egg hunt for ages 0-3
1:30 pm – egg hunt for ages 4-6
2:00 pm – egg hunt for ages 7-9
2:30 pm – egg hunt for ages 10-12
Easter Egg Hunt coordinator is Cathy Barley.
**CLICK HERE** TO PRE-REGISTER AND SKIP THE LINE ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT!
Other Special Events
We’ll add more here soon!