Welcome to Kids@Canterbury

We are so glad you are here! We strive to be a place of real grace, real love, in the midst of real life. By partnering with parents, we seek to grow together in Christ, creating a faith that lasts through worship, study, and missions.

Sunday and Wednesday Information

  • Sunday Mornings

    SundayNursery Care & Sunday School

    Nursery Care:
    A nursery is offered during worship and the Sunday school hour for children ages 6 weeks through 4 years beginning at 8:15am on Sunday mornings. The Nursery is located on the 2nd floor and is open through the end of all worship services.

    *Kindergartners are promoted to worship and are no longer in nursery care.

    Sunday School:
    Preschool: 2K Sunday School (2nd Floor)
    Preschool: 3K-4K (2nd Floor)
    Elementary: 5K-3rd Grade (2nd Floor)
    RISE: 4th-6th Grade (2nd Floor)

    Please check your child in at the Kids Check-In Station located on the 2nd floor next to the Adult Resource Library.

  • Wednesday Nights

    Wednesday6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

    Kids Wednesday Nights
    All kids@Canterbury are invited to be a part of Wednesday nights! From 6-7 PM, there’s a choir/ministry combo for the following age groups. Check your children in at the check-in station before entering the Kids’ Min area on 2nd floor. The schedule below begins August 27!

    3K-5K
    6-6:30 PM Choir – Room 211
    6:30-7 PM Kids Ministry – Room 209

    1st-3rd grades
    6-6:30 PM Kids Ministry – Room 209
    6:30-7 PM Choir – Room 211

    RISE 4th-6th grades
    6-7 PM Kids Ministry – Room 208

    NURSERY for ages 6 weeks – 4 years is available on Wednesday evenings exclusively for parents who are participating in a Bible Study.

    Register Here

Age Groups

  • Nursery

    You have a new baby! Children’s Ministry at Canterbury begins at birth. Nursery is provided for children 6 weeks through 4 years of age for all regularly scheduled worship services. Our paid nursery staff are prepared to provide a nurturing environment for your child and are also trained in life-saving measures.

    Sunday Morning:
    Grouped by age, your child will be cared for by loving nursery staff members. Nursery for other activities and church events provided by request. Canterbury uses a computer check-in system as part of our Safe Sanctuary Policy and can be found at the main entrance of the children’s building for Sunday morning nursery.

    Wednesday Night:
    During the school year, the nursery is provided for Wednesday night activities from 5:15 to 7 PM for children two and under. A play area is available at the back of Canterbury Hall for ages 3K & up from 5:15-5:50 PM. Activities begin for 3K – 6th grade at 6 PM.

    The Nursery is located on the 2nd floor of the Children’s Building. If you have questions about the Nursery, please contact Breana Stallings (breana.stallings@canterburyumc.org).

  • Preschool Ministry

    Preschool ministry is for 2K, 3K, 4K children. We teach children they are loved by God and their church family, the Bible is an important book, prayer is how we talk to God and the importance of serving others is pleasing to God. Sunday school classes are led by dedicated volunteers and staff members. We would love the opportunity to be in ministry with your child and hope to welcome your family into our community of faith.

    Sunday Mornings
    2K – 4K | 9:15-10:15 AM

    Sunday School classes meet on the second level of the Children’s Building.

  • Elementary Ministry

    Elementary ministry at Canterbury is for kindergarten through 6th-grade children. In elementary ministry, we welcome, engage, and teach your child about the love and grace freely given by God. Our Sunday morning includes large group fellowship followed by small group Sunday school classes led by dedicated volunteers and staff members. We would love to come alongside your elementary student in ministry and to welcome your family into our community of faith at Canterbury.

    Sunday Mornings
    9:15-10:15 AM

    Sunday School classes meet on the second level of the Children’s Building.

  • RISE Ministry

    Kids@Canterbury understands the transition from Elementary School to Junior High can be challenging. We believe 4th, 5th & 6th graders benefit from learning and having fun separately from our Elementary age children. RISE Ministry allows them their own space and their own programs to form stronger bonds before they enter Junior High.

    Sunday Mornings
    Sunday School meets from 9:15-10:15 AM each Sunday morning.

    Wednesday Nights
    6:00-7:00 PM
    RISE students enjoy 15-20 minutes of fellowship time and then move to their Bible study time.

     

Events

  • RISE Climbing with Connect

    September 143:30-6:30 PM

    ****** REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED

    RISE! Let’s go climb to new heights at the Hoover Climbing Adventure complex on September 14 from 4-6pm.

    Drop off: 3:30 in the Chapel Parking Lot
    Pick up: 6:30 in the Chapel Parking Lot
    Cost: $15 which covers climbing and pizza
    RSVP Required…only 26 spots available on the vans!

    Register Here
  • Dad & Me Nerf Challenge

    September 282:00 PM

    Join us for an exciting afternoon of Nerf fun for kids and their dads—or any father-figure! Come dressed in camo or play clothes, bring your favorite Nerf toy (or borrow one from our stash), and get ready for friendly challenges including bigs vs. littles, family vs. family, capture the flag, and more.

    While all ages are welcome, please note that the games are fast-paced and may be best suited for elementary-aged kids.

    Register Here
  • Join us for a 24-hour overnight retreat with area UMCs at Camp Sumatanga on October 17–18! Together we’ll worship, hike, play, and spend meaningful time connecting with one another and with God. Drop-off will be at 4 PM in the chapel lot to catch the van, and pick-up will be at 6 PM the following day (yes, a full 26 hours of fun!). The cost is $125, which includes a t-shirt, three meals, overnight lodging, and supplies.

    Canterbury priority registration ends September 29, with the final deadline on October 1.

    Don’t miss this special opportunity for faith, friendship, and adventure!

    Register Here

Children’s Choir

  • More about Children’s Choir

    Choir is available for children 3K through 3rd grade. The choirs meet during Wednesday night activities and have opportunities to sing as a group during Sunday morning services.

  • Children’s Choir 3K-5K

    3K-5K

    Children ages 3K, 4K and 5K will learn songs in unison, play with age-appropriate instruments, and are encouraged to fully engage with music in a warm and creative environment.

  • Children’s Choir 1st-3rd Grade

    1st-3rd Grade

    Children in 1st-3rd grade learn songs with simple harmonies, are given instruction in music fundamentals and learn to work together as a choir.

Highlights

  • Safe Sanctuary

    Our church is committed to providing a safe environment for every child that enters our doors. Our paid staff and volunteers are trained and have a current background check to help us establish safe leadership in our classrooms. Additionally, we will have at least two adults serving in every room to create a warm and healthy space for our kids. You will find the doors to our space to be secured, so that we can follow safety guidelines like what is present in your child’s school.

    Check in stations with welcoming staff are present on the 2nd floor by the library and on the 1st floor inside the exterior door the children’s building. You may also show your guardian tag to our welcome staff at the main desk where you can gain entrance to the secure space if needed. We want every child to know they are safe and welcome in God’s house.

Eleanor Christiansen

Director of Children’s Ministries 205-871-4695

Breana Stallings

Assistant Director of Children’s Ministries 205-871-4695

Maddie Moravek

Assistant Director of Children’s Ministries 205-871-4695

Amy Cullen

Children’s Ministry 205-871-4695

Social Media

We post frequently to both our Instagram and Facebook pages, and we would love for you to follow along! You’ll find pictures from events, news about upcoming events, and more on these pages.