St. Matthew's Children's Ministries provide a safe and loving Christian environment where all children can develop their beliefs through music, worship, Christian education and fun.

 Hey 5th & 6th Graders! See what's coming up at Club 56 this year: CLUB 56 2011-12 Schedule
Find out more about the upcoming Club 56 Fall Retreat: Work Camp at Westview on the James

Download a copy of the Club 56 Consent Form in either PDF Format or Word Format

For more information on St. Matthew's children's music ministries, please be sure to visit our Music Ministries page.

For more information on St. Matthew's children's ministries, please contact our Director of Children's Ministries, Carrie Schwab, at (703) 978-3500 or CSchwab@StMatthewsUMC.org.

Wonders of Worship (W.O.W.)

Children ages 3 years through Kindergarten are invited to leave the worship service following the Children’s Sermon to participate in W.O.W.! Bongo the parrot joins us every Sunday morning to introduce the praise song and the Bible lesson for the day. Children then engage the story of the day through games, crafts, skits, and more. W.O.W. is designed to create an age appropriate environment for our youngest children while their parents take part in the worship service. We encourage children 1st grade and up to attend and fully participate in worship with their parents.

Faith Leapers Sunday School Program

Faith Leapers is our Sunday School program for children ages 2 through 6th Grade. Faith Leapers begins at 9:45 AM every Sunday morning. In Sunday School children are introduced to a wide variety of Bible stories from the Old and New Testament of the Bible. Children are challenged to relate the stories to their everyday life and see how they can live out the values of their faith.

Children 3 years and older are invited to come forward during Sunday Services for a special message time with the Pastor. Children under the age of three are welcome to come if they are accompanied by an adult.

Club 56

Club 56 is our special group for 5th – 6th graders that meets monthly to engage in fellowship and service. Club 56 participates in activities such as retreats, laser tag, Thanksgiving pie making, bowling, serving at Food for Others, and more. If you would like to be placed on the Club 56 email distribution list please contact Carrie Schwab at CSchwab@StMatthewsUMC.org.  

Vacation Bible School (VBS) & Kids and Mission Projects (KaMP)

Children ages 4 (by September 30) through rising 6th graders are welcome to participate at Vacation Bible School and KAMP each summer.  Each summer our 4 year olds – rising 4th graders take part in Vacation Bible School. Children participate in a week long adventure where they experience skits, music, crafts, games, snacks, Bible stories, and science experiments. Each year the VBS children take on a mission project and raise money to support a mission in the local community. VBS is a blast for everyone involved!!

Our 5th and 6th graders take part in K.a.M.P. which stands for Kids and Mission Projects. Throughout the week children take part in a different mission project each day. Past projects include: making blankets for hospitalized children, environmental cleanup at Hidden Oak, play therapy with elementary students, service projects in the homes of community members, homelessness education by Wesley housing, and the annual K.a.M.P. carwash to raise money for missions. Our 5th and 6th graders do a great job of demonstrating their love for God by serving others. Come join the fun!

Faith Enrichment
(Monday Afternoons)

We offer an additional Christian growth and formation opportunity for our elementary-aged children on Monday afternoons.  In addition to our music ministry opportunities (Wesley & Altar choirs and Rainbow, Praise & Chancel Ringers), children have a new faith enrichment Christian education opportunity. 

Monday’s Faith Enrichment time includes games, movement, cooking, art, drama, an occasional field trip and, of course, snacks! Faith Enrichment is different from Sunday School and provides an additional opportunity for your child to be engaged in Christian formation and education, particularly for those children whose sports, scouts and family schedules make Sunday morning Sunday school attendance difficult. We hope that Sunday morning Sunday school and worship will be a priority for your family. But if Sunday morning Sunday school is not possible for your child on a regular basis, then please take advantage of  Monday Ministries and the new Faith Enrichment component.