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.

  • 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:
    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

    All kids@Canterbury are invited to be a part of Wednesday nights from 6-7 PM.

    Wednesday night programming is now on summer hiatus. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in August!

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).

    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 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

  • On Sunday, August 10 during the combined 10:30 AM worship service
    in the Sanctuary, we will have a special moment to bless the backpacks of all
    our children returning to school! Make sure to bring your child’s special bag
    or backpack to worship that day.

  • Donut Party

    August 10

    On Sunday, August 10 during the Sunday School hour, we will celebrate a new school year and a brand new year of ministry with a Donut Party! Make sure to join us in Canterbury Hall for this “sweet” event. Also that Sunday during the 10:30 AM worship service in the Sanctuary, we will have a special moment to bless the backpacks of all our children returning to school!

Vacation Bible School

  • 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!

    Registration Deadline: July 13 (Now closed)

  • 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
  • If you are unable to serve as an adult leader, you can still be a part of VBS week by helping us decorate! On Wednesday evening, July 23 we have two shifts (5-6 & 6-7 PM) that will bring our halls to life and turn Canterbury into a beautiful ocean scene. Childcare provided. (Youth welcome!)

    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 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.