It Takes a Friend
How A&M UMC helps children find a place to belong
Every week at A&M United Methodist Church, children laugh, sing, learn, create, and make friendships that help shape their faith for years to come.
As we begin a new school year, our Children's Ministry is excited to welcome both returning families and those joining us for the first time. Whether your child is stepping into Sunday School for the very first time or is already asking, ‘what's for dinner?’ before Sunday Night programming begins, there's a place waiting for them here.
More than anything, our goal is simple: help every child feel the love of Christ and find a place where they belong.
Through Bible study, shared meals, games, and plenty of time simply having fun together, children build friendships and trust that carry across the week. The learning of Wednesday nights and the play and celebration of Sunday nights work together, creating relationships that make deeper conversations about faith possible. Along the way, children have a place to belong, grow, and be refreshed for the week ahead.
More Than a Program, a Place to Belong
Research shows that children who develop lasting faith are connected to multiple caring adults in the church. Savannah Salas, A&M UMC’s Director of Children’s Ministry, said she believes that's exactly what Sunday nights are about. Before kids can grow in their faith, they need to know they're loved.
"If a child comes one time and makes a friend, they'll want to come back," Savannah said. "You can't grow if you don't have a friend."
Every week, college students, volunteers, and church members spend time simply being present, playing games, laughing together, and building friendships. That's why every activity, every game, and every shared meal is designed to help children build relationships that make church feel like a home away from home.
Sunday Mornings: Discovering the Big Story of the Bible
There's many ways for children to get involved on Sundays, including by being an acolyte. Outside worship, Sunday mornings remain the foundation of the Children's Ministry. Sunday School Through age-specific classrooms, children journey through Scripture from beginning to end, discovering how every story points to God's love and redemption. Rather than learning isolated Bible stories, children begin to see the Bible as one connected story, from Genesis all the way to Revelation. Learn more about Sunday School classes.
Sunday Nights: Worship, Dinner and Fun
Sunday evenings begin the moment families arrive upstairs in the Christian Life Center (CLC).
New families are welcomed at check-in before children head to a choir session, where they'll spend time a half-hour singing with Rachel Richards. Every few weeks, they'll share what they've learned during worship, but the atmosphere is intentionally relaxed as children are welcome whether they attend every week or only occasionally.
After choir comes one of the most anticipated parts of the evening: dinner.
“One of the first things I hear on Sunday mornings is ‘what are we eating tonight?” said Savannah. “We’ve got a great volunteer team of parents and church staff who feed our kids on a weekly basis, and they always get rave reviews.”
Nearly every Sunday evening is different, from the meals to the games. One week might feature Nerf Wars, while another might be an art night full of creative art projects. There are giant group games, themed evenings, and semester favorites like the famous Egg Drop Challenge and the end-of-year auction, where children spend the "Gracie Bucks" they've earned throughout the semester. “Gracie” is the unofficial mascot of Children’s Ministry – Savannah’s fluffy little dachshund will even make an appearance in-person, occasionally.
The goal isn't simply to entertain. It's to create a place where children can't wait to return each week because they've found friends, mentors, and a church family.
Wednesday Nights: Growing in God's Story
While adults gather for Bible studies on Wednesday evenings, children have a place to learn and grow too. Unlike Sunday mornings, which walk through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation over the course of the year, Wednesday nights focus on practical topics children face every day.
Conversations tend to be about questions, like ‘How do I be a good friend?,’ ‘What do I do when I'm worried?,’ and “how can I love like Jesus in my every day life?”
Wednesday Night Schedule
Children meet in smaller age-based groups, allowing older kids to naturally encourage younger ones while everyone learns together in ways appropriate for their stage of development.
“While they’re learning about the Bible, our kids are also nurturing their own leadership skills,” said Savannah. “Our second graders will help our kindergarten kids read the Bible, and our third and fourth graders naturally look up to the seventh and eighth graders.”
It's another opportunity to help children connect the lessons of Scripture with everyday life.
Come When You Can
“One of the biggest misconceptions families have is that if they miss a few weeks, it's too late to come back,” said Savannah. “We know how busy families are and have designed our Children’s Ministry so that so families can jump in whenever they're able.”
Sports seasons, busy schedules, and life happen. Whenever you return, you'll be welcomed just as warmly as if you'd been there the week before. We simply want church to be a place where your family can rest, reconnect, and be refreshed.