CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
We want to help your children come to know the love of God through Jesus and help them live out their belief in God in their everyday lives.
We are a “Safe Sanctuaries” church, which means all trained volunteers and staff working with children have been screened and passed a background check.
Children of all ages are invited to attend Worship. Sunday Worship Services are at 9AM and 11AM and include a special message for children, as well as Activity Bags that are located in the Gathering Space near the church’s front doors. Following the Children’s Message, parents may escort their children (ages 3 years – 1st grade) to Children’s Church in the Ministry Facility.
Ages 6 weeks through 36 months may check in to our nursery in the Ministry Facility. For details, see When You Bring Your Child.
Please scroll down to read about each of our child ministry options.
Children's Church
Children’s Church is a special time focusing on age-appropriate faith activities modeled after the adult service. Children are introduced to various aspects of worship (praise, prayer, passing of the peace, message, Scripture reading, the Lord’s Prayer) and then encouraged to put them into practice in worship with their families. As United Methodists, worship is the most important practice of our faith tradition. Children are a vital part of worship at Harbor and we are intentional about including them.
All classes are held in the Ministry Facility during the 9:00 and 11:00 AM worship services.
Sunday School
10:10AM-10:50AM
Deep Blue is our Sunday School resource for children ages 2 through 5th grade. It incorporates Bible stories, science activities, arts and crafts, animated video storytelling, and active games into a lived-faith experience that will help children discover what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ today!
The Deep Blue kids—Asia, Edgar, and Kat—will lead the children through the Bible using animated videos that tell the story. The student resources-the Bible Story Stuff, the Kids Activity Stuff, and the Deep Blue Kids Bible—are colorful and engaging, encouraging the children to “dive deeper” into the Bible and explore their faith in fun and age-appropriate ways. Check out Deep Blue .
Wednesday Nights
Kids Crew is our time for kids ages 3 through 5th grade on Wednesday nights. We meet in the Ministry Facility from 6:30 PM-7:30 PM (September-May). The children rotate through groups that are filled with awesome music and fun, age-appropriate activities. We share our music in worship every 4-6 weeks and have a special program for Easter and Christmas. All children are encouraged to participate for great fun and fellowship!
Mission Mariners
Our service group for children in grades 2 through 5 meets once per month to plan our church, community and global service projects. We are learning that doing good deeds doesn’t help us get to Heaven – God’s Grace alone does that! We do good deeds because they are pleasing to God and they are fun!
Our group volunteers at First Fruit Ministries and The Good Shepherd House. Agape Shoe Boxes is a new project for children in Armenia. We have adopted 2 New Hanover County Sheriff deputies through the Adopt a Cop program. We participate in Work on Wilmington, a community-wide service day in April. Please join us!
Vacation Bible School
Sunday, June 21st through Thursday, June 25th, 6:00-8:30 PM for children ages 3 through 5th grade
Register at Cokesbury VBS Page for Harbor UMC
Pay VBS Registration here:
2020 Summer Camp
2020 Summer Camp General Information
- are for children ages 2 through 5th grade (just completed)
- Children will be in groups based on their age.
- Hours are 9:00 am-12:00 pm
- Cost is $125 per week per child
- 10% discount will be given for registration for all 6 weeks paid in one transaction.
- Preregistration and prepayment are required, and no refunds will be given.
- Early Drop off (8:15 am) and Lunch Bunch (12-1) are available. $5.00 per day per each session. Advance sign up and advance payment is required.
- Snacks and materials are provided each day
Please note:
Please send a filled water bottle each day with your child’s first and last name.
Only closed -toe shoes are allowed. No flip flops or sandals.
Please apply sunscreen and bug spray in advance. We are not permitted to apply.
If your child is doing Lunch Bunch, please send lunch each day. No Peanut or other Nut Butters permitted.
Please register and make payment on MyProcare.com
Weekly Schedule:
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Week # 1- 6/15-6/19 – FROZEN & Pirate Week – Do you want to build a snow man or maybe steer the pirate ship? This is the week to beat the heat with freezing ice games and activities. Pirates will try to crack the code to find the frozen treasure before it melts but it will take all hands-on deck!
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Week # 2 -7/6-7/10 – Camping & Nature Week – A classic camper favorite! From little explorers to advanced trailblazers, we will discover Gods beautiful world, roast a marshmallow or two, and have some water fall fun so plan for a water day on Friday.
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Week #3 -7/13-7/17 – Star Wars -The force will surely bewith all ages this week at camp! Make a light saber to try out during recreation, wear a Chewbacca mask and communicate using only Wookiee language, or help to create Hans Solo’s spaceship!
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Week #4 7/20-7/24– Art Spark Week – From the tiniest of hands to advanced artists; campers will spark their imaginations in our art studio and unleash their creativity with art tools and supplies and take home a lasting memory.
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Week #5 7/27-7/31 – Adventures In Storybook Week–Wonder and adventure await all children able to turn the page of a book! Books will be incorporated into all activities, with so much fun and laughter campers are sure to leave camp wanting more! Friday is Don’t get the book wet day! Wear your bathing suit and bring a book and a towel!
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Week # 6 8/3-8/7– Olympics Week–It’s not Tokyo but it might feel like it! Campers from our little Olympians to our competitive athletes will participate in our camp wide Olympics! Friday is Trike, Bike, Scooter, or Skateboard day, bring your bike and protective head gear! We will hold our closing ceremony on Friday as well!
YOUTH MINISTRY
Calling All High School Youth!
On February 16th at 10:00am in Room 230 join us for a special class designed just for you. Want to graduate college with no college loans? Want to own a car with no car payment? Want to travel or shop with no credit card debt. Want to donate to others? You can do all of this and more by learning about how to make money work for you starting right now. Join us for 9 weeks of Financial Peace for Teens. It is an online video discussion study to show you how to control your money and what God says about money. The materials and online access are $25. Please contact Tonya Raines with any questions and to sign up. traines@hotmail.com or 910-200-4178
Join us for YOUTH ACTIVITIES on Sundays!
5:00pm – 5:45pm H20 Youth Band – Sanctuary
5:45pm – 7:00pm UMYF – Room 235
Join us for WAVE on Wednesdays!
5:45pm – Congregational Dinner; 6:30-7:30pm – WAVE – Room 235
Follow the links below for a monthly Youth Ministry Calendar
February 2020 Youth Ministry Calendar
March 2020 Youth Ministry Calendar
April 2020 Youth Ministry Calendar
May 2020 Youth Ministry Calendar
Click here for our Safe Sanctuary Policy
MOTHERS OF PRESCHOOLERS (MOPS)
MOTHERS OF PRESCHOOLERS (MOPS)
HARBOR MOPS day group meets the first and third Wednesdays, September to May, from 9:30AM – 12 noon. HARBOR MOPS night group/ MomsNext meets on the 1st Thursday evening from 6:30-8:30 PM.
In both groups, we share our experiences and encourage one another through small group discussions & quest speakers. We also enjoy refreshments and making crafts. While the moms are meeting, our children have a great time in the MOPPETS program, with loving child care workers providing Bible stories, crafts, games, a snack, and songs.
COME JOIN US!
If you are interested in coming or receiving more information, please contact us via our FaceBook page at Harbor MOPS or speak to Lisa Southerland (lisa@harboronline.org) at the preschool. Registration for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) International is just over $30, which pays for a wonderful welcome kit, weekly emails, and tons of online resources. Harbor MOPS also charges a fee each semester to help cover the cost of childcare, craft supplies, and other necessities.