Children

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 Age Groups
Summer Camps & Events Children's Events

  • 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.

Sunday and Wednesday Information

  • Sunday Mornings
    SundayNursery Care & Sunday School

    Nursery care is offered during worship and the Sunday school hour for children ages 6 weeks through 4 years beginning at 8:15am on Sunday mornings. Nursery is open through the end of all worship services.
    *Kindergartners are promoted to worship and are no longer in nursery care.

    Sunday School:
    Nursery: 6 weeks-4 years (1st Floor)
    Preschool: 2K Sunday School (1st Floor)
    Preschool: 3K -4K (2nd Floor)
    Elementary: 5K-3rd Grade (2nd Floor)
    RISE: 4th-6th Grade (2nd Floor)

  • Wednesday Nights
    Wednesday6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

    All kids@Canterbury are invited to be a part of Wednesday nights! From 6-7 PM, there will be a choir/ministry combo for the following age groups.

    3K-5K:
    6-6:30 PM Choir
    6:30-7 PM Kids Ministry
    Please check your kids in at our new check in station by the library and walk them to our choir room (211) where they will be greeted by Ms Bella for 30 minutes of fun singing. At 6:30 they will pop over into our PreK activity room in room 209 for a short Bible story and craft or game.

    1st-3rd grades:
    6-6:30 PM Kids Ministry
    6:30-7 PM Choir
    Please check your kids in at our new check in station by the library and walk them to the 2nd and 3rd grade classroom (207) where they will talk about the Bible and play a game or do a craft together. Then at 6:30 they will move to the choir room (211) for fun singing with Ms Bella.

    RISE 4th-6th grades:
    6-7 PM Kids Ministry
    Please check your kids in at our new check in station by the library and walk them to the Rise room (previously Hallelujah Hall) for games, Bible study and community time.

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.

    If you have questions about the Nursery, please contact Breana Stallings (breana.stallings@canterburyumc.org).

    Playcare Payments

  • 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 first and 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, their own programs, and their own director 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

  • Wednesday Nights
    Wednesdays

    All kids@Canterbury are invited to be a part of Wednesday nights! From 6-7 PM, there will be a choir/ministry combo for the following age groups. Questions? Please email Eleanor Christiansen at eleanor.chrisitiansen@canterburyumc.org.

    3K-5K
    6-6:30 PM Choir
    6:30-7 PM Kids Ministry

    1st-3rd grades
    6-6:30 PM Kids Ministry
    6:30-7 PM Choir

    RISE 4th-6th grades
    6-7 PM Kids Ministry

    Register Here

  • RISE Roller Skating Night
    April 25

    Let’s meet up with other elementary aged kids from Birmingham United Methodist Churches and ROLLLL towards summer! Join us on Friday, April 25! Drop off at Canterbury at 4:15 pm in the Chapel lot and pick up at Canterbury at 7:30 pm in the Chapel lot. Cost: $15 covers the cost of skating and dinner at Roller Motion Skating Rink.

    Register Here

  • 2K Milestone: I Can Sing!
    APRIL 27

    Faith Milestones are a chance for the church to celebrate exactly who your child is right now and connect that to important parts of our faith practices here at church. It is a great opportunity for you to have guided faith conversations with your kiddo and get to know some of the other families who are doing life with you here at Canterbury!

    We are so excited to see you and your 2K kiddo to join us on April 27 at 9:15 in room 211. We will be learning about why singing is important as we praise God together.

    Please RSVP so that we will be prepared with materials for your family.

    RSVP Here

  • 6th Grade Milestone: I Can Join My Church
    MAY 18

    Faith Milestones are a chance for the church to celebrate exactly who your child is right now and connect that to important parts of our faith practices here at church. It is a great opportunity for you to have guided faith conversations with your kiddo and get to know some of the other families who are doing life with you here at Canterbury!

    We are so excited to see you and your 6th grader to join us on May 18 at 9:15 in the Dining Room. We will be learning about what it means to join the church through Confirmation and the YAC experience!

    Please RSVP so that we will be prepared with materials for your family.

    RSVP Here

Summer Camps & Events

  • Camp Sumatanga Day Camp | Rising 1st-3rd graders
    JUNE 2-6

    Camp Sumatanga is unique among camping experiences because it has an explicit focus on spiritual growth and provides kids the opportunity to meet kids from all different backgrounds from across North Alabama. Every summer, Eleanor Christiansen volunteers to lead a Day Camp for early elementary kids. She’d love to have your kids join her at Sumatanga for Day Camp this summer on June 2-6.

    We will prioritize registration for Canterbury Kids and if we have enough space on our bus, we’ll be happy to open it up to friends on April 1st.

    Cost: $165
    Register through Sumatanga, click the link below.

    Register Here

  • Camp Sumatanga | Rising 4th-6th grades
    JUNE 8-13

    Camp Sumatanga is unique among camping experiences because it has an explicit focus on spiritual growth and provides kids the opportunity to meet kids from all different backgrounds from across North Alabama. Every summer, Eleanor Christiansen volunteers to be on the leadership team of the upper elementary overnight camp. She’d love to have your kids join her at Camp Sumatanga for Elementary 1 week this summer on June 8-13.

    Cost: $450
    Register through Sumatanga, click the link below.

    Register Here

  • Connect Serve Week | 4th-6th graders
    JULY 21-24

    We are switching up things for our upper elementary kids this year by helping them have their own unique week that is separate from VBS. Canterbury Rise students will gather with other upper elementary kids from Birmingham UMCs for a whole new experience we’re calling Connect Serve Week. Thematically, we will round out our exploration of Wesley’s 3 simple rules by experiencing what it means to “Do good.” In the morning kids will play games, worship, and have small group Bible study & snacks. After lunch, we will go out into our community and serve our neighbors together. We’d love to have your Rise student be a part of the fun!

    We will prioritize registration for Canterbury Kids and if we have enough space on our bus, we’ll be happy to open it up to friends on April 1st.

    Canterbury is tentatively scheduled to host on our campus.

    Limit: 39 Kids
    Cost: $25

    Register Here

  • Vacation Bible School | 4K-3rd graders
    JULY 28-31

    Our rising 4K-3rd graders are going to have a blast at Dive Deep, Exploring God’s Grace! We will go on our deep water adventure July 28-31, from 9-noon each day. Come jump in for all the fun!

    Cost: FREE

    Register Here

  • CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS for Vacation Bible School
    JULY 28-31

    Our rising 4K-3rd graders are going to have a blast at VBS week, Dive Deep! We will go on our deep water adventure July 28-31, from 9-noon each day. Jump in as an adult volunteer…and dive into this adventure with us!

    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.

Highlight Videos

Stay In Touch

Eleanor Christiansen

Director of Children’s Ministries

Breana Stallings

Children’s Nursery Director

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.

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