Children's Ministries
MINISTRY LEADERS
Cindy Hughes, Director of Children's Ministries, children@chmaster.org
I’m excited to help our children discover the core of God’s love in each Biblical story, and find joy in serving as the hands and feet of Christ. I am an ’02 alumnus of Otterbein with a Bachelors in Music Education, and I began my career teaching junior high and high school choir. While my professional path has varied since then, I’ve always been involved with education/training or educational support. My husband and I have attended Church of the Master since joining the Chancel Choir in 2004, and are blessed to be bringing our children up within this congregation. It is my prayer and goal to uphold the high quality of Christian education that is standard to Church of the Master, and to ensure that we are welcoming and fully inclusive place for all families!
Amy Keep, Coordinator of U2 Ministries, U2Kids@chmaster.org
I am excited to serve as the U2 coordinator at Church of the Master. My husband, Bob, and I have been members of the church since 2008 after attending Otterbein University. We were then married at Church of the Master in 2009. Our sons Noah and Ezra are actively involved in chimes choir, junior choir, and M&Ms. I grew up just down the road from the Church of the Master in Westerville. I am the Student Services Coordinator for Big Walnut Local Schools. When we are not at church or at school, you can find us at swim practices, soccer practices, running, golfing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. We love to be active as a family.
Music and the Master (Sept-April)
M&Ms
M&Ms
Music and the Master (M&Ms) is an opportunity for children and their families to grow in God’s word, with an emphasis on MUSIC as an act of service and of praise! We are excited to offer activities encompassing all of our young people from birth through high-school, making it more convenient for your whole family to participate in meaningful faith and fellowship together. Come and join us any Thursday, and experience this joyful and inclusive faith community! Contact Cindy Hughes children@chmaster.org with questions.
Children’s Chimes:
1st - 5th graders are invited to join Children's Chimes, which meets on Thursdays 5-5:30 pm. Players do not need to know how to read music to participate in this beginning ensemble, but it is important that they are committed to regular attendance. Chime Choir usually plays during Worship on Christmas Eve and on 3 other Sundays throughout the year. If you have questions, please contact Marilyn Rogers at rogersmblg@gmail.com.
​Cherub Choir
Cherub Choir is for babies through kindergarteners with their parents, and meets at 5:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Research shows that music has meaningful impact on children’s brain development, even in infancy, so we invite you and your child to come sing and play with us as soon as you’re ready. Children learn simple, joyful songs of faith, while engaging with other children and praising God! Contact Kitty Laurich with questions childrenmusic@chmaster.org
Junior Choir
At 6:30 each Thursday, children in grades 1 – 5 will love singing along with Miss Kitty and Miss Di in Junior Choir! These developing singers will learn unison and two-part songs to help reinforce important tenants of our faith: love God, love our neighbors, and be confident in God’s love and care for each of us. Junior Choir typically sings during Worship 4-5 times each year, including the 5pm service on Christmas Eve. Contact Kitty Laurich with questions childrenmusic@chmaster.org​
Faith & Mission
In contrast to our Sunday morning Bible education classes, on Thursdays at M&Ms, we put our faith into action! We use Jesus’ commandment to “Love God and love your neighbor,” (Matthew 22:37-39) as the basis for growing hearts of service in our children. We learn about modern day challenges that impact our neighbors, and we complete mission projects to support those in our church and throughout the community.
Parent Bible Study
After dinner, Parents and Care-givers can finally have time for their own spiritual development, while children are engaged in their music and mission activities. Come join in the conversation, as we discuss a variety of Biblical topics, and support each other in raising our children to be compassionate, justice-seeking followers of Jesus.
Serve Dinner at M&Ms
M&Ms is an activity for all generations to come together to serve, eat, and fellowship with one another. We need volunteers to help with dinner: 2 people to help with set-up and 4 to help with clean-up each week. There is no cooking involved, and you’ll have clear instructions to follow! Set-up is at 5:30, dinner is served at 6 – you’ll eat with us, of course – and clean-up is finished by 7pm.
Nursery Care
While infants and children are always welcome in worship services at Church of the Master, our Nursery room is also an option that provides safe, inviting, and loving care! Our nursery welcomes infants and children, six weeks old through age 5. Our nursery is supervised by two of our on-staff nursery workers or adult volunteers, all of whom have completed background checks and Safe Sanctuary training, and who are excited to engage your children in age-appropriate play.
Nursery care is offered for 11am worship on Sunday mornings, open from
10:45 am. until approximately 12:15 pm. (Or, on Sundays with 10am combined worship, from 9:45 – 11:15am.) The nursery is also available from 6:30-7pm on Thursday evenings as part of our M&Ms programming.
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Education
Sunday morning children’s education programs are offered during the 11:00 service.
About 10-15 minutes into the Worship service, children of any age are invited forward to participate with the Children’s Message, then following this, 3-year-olds through 6th graders will be invited to meet their teachers in the Gathering Space to transition to their classrooms (see below). Or, families may choose to have children remain in the Worship service – children’s sounds, energy, and emotions are welcome as part of God’s joyful noise!
The first Sunday of each month is “Family Worship,” with all children remaining in the Sanctuary to participate with the traditional liturgy and hymns, and to receive Communion. (Nursery is still be offered as an option during “Family Worship.”)
Dewdrops (3 years* – Kindergarten)
Children are introduced to the Bible, by being read to from a “storybook Bible” format, following the 3-year lectionary cycle. *3-year-olds attending Dewdrops must be toilet-trained, as there are not appropriate facilities to address diapering needs in this classroom.
Rainbows (Grades 1-3)
Children deepen their understanding of Biblical persons and content by repeating the 3-year lectionary, this time reading a “storybook Bible” for themselves, and occasionally a “children’s translation” Bible with teacher guidance.
U2 (Grades 4-6)
Children begin to explore a more mature understanding of the 3-year lectionary content, by regularly engaging with a standard Bible (simplified translation), and with additional historical and social context.
Sundays
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
SUNDAY MORNINGS
9am-12pm- Nursery (staffed from 10:45am-12:15pm)
11:15-12pm- Rainbows, Dewdrops, U2
THURSDAY EVENINGS
5:30-7 M&Ms (Sept - April)
MINISTRY FORMS
Questions? Contact Cindy Hughes at children@chmaster.org