Welcome to HWCkids at Houghton Wesleyan Church!
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16, NIV
Here at Houghton Wesleyan Church, children are important to us because they are important to God. We want our children to be loved, valued and nurtured in their faith in a way that will help them connect with God, connect with the Church, and connect with each other while learning to live like Jesus. We offer many children’s ministries throughout the week for all ages. If you are interested in getting your children involved or if you would like to be a part of our team please contact the Children’s Ministry Director, Emily Spateholts.
Join our HWCkids Facebook page to stay in touch and receive important updates!
PARENTS, REGISTER AND UPDATE your KIDS’ INFORMATION ONLINE HERE!
Kids Connect (age 3 – 6th grade)
Kids Connect is for all ages from 9:45-10:45 on the first and second floors of the Christian Education Building. Our goal is to bring Scripture and everyday life together so that God’s Word transforms us as individuals, as families and as a broader church family.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH (ages 3-6, Pre K-1st Grade)
Children’s Church provides our younger children, ages 3-6, with age appropriate learning during part of the 8:30 worship service. Children will begin in the worship service with their families and will be dismissed during the song or greeting time before the sermon. Children’s Church meets on the first floor of the Christian Education Building.
NURSERY (ages 0 through 36 months)
The Nursery provides a fully staffed, loving, nurturing, secure, and clean environment for children ages infant through three years old. The Nursery is located on the first floor of the Christian Education Building and is available during the 8:30 and 11:00 worship services, as well as during the Kids Connect/Discipleship hour at 9:45. The nursery contains interactive toys and books as well as a cozy sleeping area. We have a stringent release policy in order to insure the utmost safety for our little ones. We have installed a wireless paging system so parents can be contacted if needed.
Valley Preschool
Valley Preschool welcomes children ages 2-5 years old to the Church on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9:00 am – 11:45 am. (September – May, following the local public school schedule). The early childhood program of VPS is designed to augment home experiences, providing opportunity for social, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and physical growth and development. If you are interested in more information about your child attending VPS, please contact the director, Casda Danner casdadanner@hwchurch.org.
Valley Preschool admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Find GENERAL INFORMATION and APPLICATION FOR VALLEY PRESCHOOL FOR 2022-2023 here.
Kids’ Club (Grades PreK-6)
Kids Club for ages PreK – 6th grade meets one Saturday a month from October to May for an extended, thematic time of spiritual formation, including a Bible lesson, games, food, activities, crafts, service projects, and more. Families are welcome to attend together, or children can participate on their own. Childcare for babies and toddlers is available during this time.
Family Room – Baby Care
Below the sanctuary, families will find a cozy, relaxed space to take young children during services. Equipped with a smart-TV for streaming the service, parents can enjoy the worship and sermon while children play (books, toys, infant play mat and chair, coloring materials, etc.). The room also offers a changing table with emergency supplies and a curtained, private corner for feeding or rocking.
Nursing mothers can also find a quiet spot to feed and change babies in a separate room connected to the women’s restroom on the first floor of the Christian Education Building. Parents are welcome to feed and change babies in the nursery as well; changing tables are available in all men’s and women’s restrooms. Diapers, wipes, clean clothing in all sizes, and a bottle warmer are available for those unexpected emergencies!
Playground
Our newly renovated playground is available for community use at any time. Swings, slides and climbers are available for children of all ages and abilities.
Special Events
Throughout the year, HWCkids sponsors special events in coordination with the Church calendar, as well as provides at-home discipleship activities to families for the Advent/Christmas and Lenten/Easter season. Past events include “Nativities Around the World” at Christmas, Stations of the Cross at Easter, Harvest Festival, Prayer Vigil children’s activities, Easter egg hunt, drive-through ice cream party, “Family Friday” gatherings and more. Follow our Facebook page for announcements!
LIBRARY
The Church Library, located on the 1st floor of the Christian Education Building and open to the public when the Church is unlocked, contains over 10,000 items in various forms, which will appeal to all ages and promote Christian growth through the renewing of our minds. The library has a section of books, videos, audio books and music for children, youth, and adults.
Curriculum
HWCkids uses an engaging, discipleship-based curriculum from GROW. This non-denominational curriculum, put together by a diverse team of ministry leaders from all over the country, walks kids through the major stories of the Bible in a three-year cycle, spending equal amounts of time in the Old and New Testaments. Students will gain a broader and deeper understanding of who God is through Bible stories, Scripture memory, worship, games, activities, lesson videos, and more. Digital materials are provided to all families each week for use at home as well. Weekly children’s sermons offer additional lessons for families.
Certain classrooms focus on additional skills.
- 2nd grade: learning the books of the Bible
- 6th grade: Wesleyan Church catechism
Special Needs
Our Connections class provides a safe and loving environment for children and adults needing more individualized attention due to special needs requirements. Students are encouraged to engage with Bible stories and developmentally appropriate activities as well as the Church family.
Teachers with students needing sensory support during classroom time are equipped with tools for varying needs including things such as noise-cancelling headphones and fidget toys.
The Christian Education Building is handicap accessible. If your child requires other services, please contact us. We are here to serve you and make your child feel welcome and loved!
SAFETY & Security Committment
At Houghton Wesleyan Church, we take the safety and security of our children and team members seriously. All HWCkids team members are required to complete a thorough application process including a signed Children’s Ministry Volunteers Application and Code of Conduct, references, interview, and completion of a sexual abuse prevention training from Darkness to Light/Stewards of Children.
All HWCkids check-in at our Welcome Desk in the Christian Education Building on Sunday mornings. Younger children will receive printed name tags with urgent allergy information as well as a unique code that matches a caregiver tag, enabling only their caregiver to pick them at the end of the morning. In the event of technology glitches, physical tags will be available.
Each classroom and volunteer is equipped with supplies and information on how to handle emergency situations, including medical, fire, inclement weather, or lockdown/evacuation.
Updated November 2022