UMC - Chicago Temple

“Come and see” how children experience the love of Jesus in Christian Education, Music, Worship, Service, and Fellowship. Dr. Cheryl Magrini is the Minister of Christian Education and Spiritual Formation who provides overall leadership and support for Children’s Ministries. She has many years of working with Children’s Ministries.

Energetic singing with Children’s Director Kristen Hower. She has the children singing Vacation Bible School type songs with lots of energy and high interest to the children. Parents are always welcome to join in the fun with the children. The music room is in the children’s fourth floor wing. 6th graders, who attend the middle school and junior high school class are welcome to come to this music program as leaders and helpers with Kristen.

We are happy to be using the LIVE B.I.G. curriculum in the children’s rooms. LIVE B.I.G. means: Live Believing In God! It is contemporary and begins with a short video clip with energetic characters that repeat each week to introduce the theme in skits and singing.

Preschool ages 3-4 is taught by Nenette Alonzo. Meets in the fourth floor children’s room.
Kindergarten and 1st gr. is taught by Danielle Szukala and
Yetenda Walter-Johnson. Meets in the fourth floor children’s wing.
6-7ages is taught by Joscyln Tomaw. Meets in room 420B
Grades 4th-6th grade is taught by Elizabeth Taylor. Meets in room 416.

Live Big, a United Methodist approved curriculum is used in all children’s classes. The material follows a biblical theme, includes Advent and Lent.

The main activities in Children’s Ministry are:

Open House in September, October Children’s Sabbath, the December Nativity, a mission project, and the May teacher “Thank you.” We are always looking for new ways to further minister to our children and to parents.

Grades 7-12 meet in room 320, the third floor Conference Room, taught by Ms. Sonia Flores. The curriculum is Seasons of the Spirit. Ms. Flores makes the Scripture relevant to the youth’s lives.

Confirmation is taught by Rev. Dr. Magrini every two years for grades 7 and 8. The next class will begin in September 2009.

We are proud of the quality of all of our teachers. They all have background checks and are trained in the curriculum teaching. Our Sunday school is growing. Won’t you bring your children or grandchildren this Sunday?

Volunteer Mr. Jeffery Taylor leads music from 9:30 to 10:00 with Kindergarten through third grade in the children’s wing on the fourth floor. Fourth grade and older have music two times a month at 12:15 on the third floor with Erik Nussbaum, Director of Music.

Parents will be asked to complete a registration form for Sunday school. A committee member coordinates parents bringing healthy snacks each Sunday. There are also room cleaning dates where parents help. Parents are encouraged to offer to be a guest story reader or craft helper at least two Sundays during the school year season.

Children are always welcome and encouraged to attend worship at either 8:30am or 11am. Dr. Magrini invites the children forward to the sanctuary front steps for a “Time for Young Christians” with a message just for the children. Worship activity bags are available in the Narthex.

Grades 5 and up may serve as acolytes in worship. We have two acolytes at the 11am service, one to light the candles and one to carry the processional cross. This is a highlight for many of the youth to serve as acolytes. Look for training dates in late August and in September, 2006. Two “check-in” parents and a parent scheduler work with Dr. Magrini to support this significant ministry.

Offering is collected in Sunday school and the children decide the recipient of the offering. In the past offering has gone to the Homeless Hospitality Ministry and to the United Voices for Children fund.

All children like a party! We celebrate open houses during the year and a grand party in May before the summer break. These are times when parents get to know the teachers and one another.

A reference library of topical brochures to help parents is available in room 420A, a seminar room where the Sunday school class, “Parents of Young Children” meets. Any parents are welcome to join this class at 9:30am. There is usually a strong pot of coffee brewing! Dr. Magrini also has resources available for parents on topics of loss, grief, divorce, a new baby arriving, and moving, just to highlight the main topics. She is also available to parents who desire a confidential conversation.

Dr. Cheryl Magrini, Minister of Christian Education, can be reached at 312-236-4548, ext. 122 or by email at cheryl@chicagotemple.org.

Children and Youth grow in discipleship and learn about discipleship for today in Christian education, music, worship, and service.