Lil' Revolutionaries
A movement group for children
The mission of Lil’ Revolutionaries is to be a community where children are discovering God’s love, exploring their faith, and practicing kindness in their daily lives.
Revolution is a church community that believes in action and makes an intentional effort to practice compassion in the world in a Christ-like way. In this same spirit Lil’ Revolutionaries believes it is important for our children to live in love and service. We strive to give our children a foundation of faith that will inspire them to carry out this mission in a world full of brokenness. Please take a moment to read on and experience Lil’ Revolutionaries and the ministries we offer for children and families each week.
For more information visit our F.A.Q. If you have any questions, please contactApril Keltner, Minister of Children and Families. Be sure to check out the Lil' Revolutionaries blog as well! If you are interested in groups for youth, please see our information about leap, a revolutionary new movement group for youth. Thanks!
Discovering Gods Love.
Worship
At Revolution it is important for children to participate in the worship service. Every Sunday the service begins with the children in the Children’s Corner of the Sanctuary, their own space to participate in the opening of worship. During the special children’s song they venture upstairs for an opportunity to learn more about the heritage of our faith. On Communion Sunday (the first Sunday of the month) the children stay downstairs to experience the service and partake in communion with their families. Worship bags are prepared in advance with various activities to help enhance the service.
Music
Music is an important part of worship for Lil’ Revolutionaries too. Whether in a large group or individual classes we sing together, pray together and learn about the seasons of the Christian Year. On special Sundays during class time, the Toddler & Twos, Preschool, and Elementary classes come together for a special music time. What a great way to discover God’s love!
Exploring our faith.
Babbies & Woddlers
The Babies & Woddler class (newborn to 18 months) has childcare for the littlest ones while also building a foundation of faith. These children are involved in a spiritual nursery experience based on simple themes with key words and loving caregivers who read stories, rock them and sing songs. Monthly caregiver newsletters are given to parents to continue the learning the babies and woddlers are experiencing on Sunday mornings.
Toddlers & Twos
The Toddlers & Twos class (18 months – 3 years) continues building the foundation faith established when the children were infants. Through simple themes each month exploring the ideas of God’s love, Jesus growing from a baby just like them, they learn that faith connects to them in very real ways. Centers such as art, games, and science are set up for the toddlers to faith play with these different themes, as well as Bible stories to enforce the idea.
Preschool
The Preschool class (4 to 5 years) focuses on the timeline of Jesus’ life and the Bible stories we all know and love. This class explores these themes through a variety of methods using games, crafts, a story time, and high energy activities to continue to reinforce the lesson and Bible verses for the day. Preschoolers are able to develop their socialization and beginning learning skills.
Elementary
The Elementary class (6 to 9 years) studies Jesus’ life in more depth with activities to challenge their developing critical thinking skills. This group participates in crafts, acting out a Bible story, games and other fun activities to help them explore their faith and learn the Bible lessons. This past fall, the elementary class entered the world of Jesus in a culinary way, making food dishes and cuisine that was popular in Biblical times.
Tweens
New to Revolution, our Tween class (10-12 years) studies issues that are pertinent for tweens as they transition from childhood to youth to adulthood. Cultural issues abound for tweens as well as all of the developmental issues affecting their lives. Some topics this class will cover are making a world of difference, have a positive family life in these turbulent years, bullying and gossiping, exploring what a United Methodist is as well as other spiritual themes.
Practicing Kindness.
Service Projects
From collecting change to buy animals for Heifer Project, making sack lunches for Neighbor2Neighbor, our daily homeless ministry, to helping plant trees on Earth day, Lil’ Revolutionaries constantly learn about the importance of serving others. The children are also encouraged to participate in Revolution Work Days and in activities with our adopted Burmese refugee families.
Special Events
Egg hunts in the spring, parties for our volunteers in the summer, back to school parties and a community-wide Fall Festival in October. We have lots of fun, special and educational events the whole family can attend!
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do with my kids when I get here?
Each Sunday all children begin the worship service in the sanctuary with the rest of the adults for the opening worship songs and then head upstairs for age-appropriate learning activities. The children are welcome to play in the Kids Corner while the service is beginning or sit in the pews with their family. April Keltner, Minister with Children and Families will make an announcement followed by singing a special song, when it is time for the kids to go to their rooms. NOTE: On the first Sunday of the month, the schedule changes, scroll down for the answer to this question.
Where do the kids go?
Lil’ Revolutionaries Children’s Ministry is located on the 3rd floor in Revolution. Children ages newborn to 9 meet on this floor, while the tweens meet in a room on the 4th floor. The main stairs will take you to both levels.
Can I come?
Yes! All parents, especially visiting parents, are greatly encouraged to accompany their children upstairs so that they can see where they will be for the next hour. This is an opportunity to meet the teachers and April, as well as fill out any necessary paperwork in case of an emergency. When children are in a new place they can have a hard time adjusting and it’s helpful for a parent to join them, even if only for a few minutes.
Who are the teachers?
Lil’ Revolutionaries teachers are eager and willing adults who want to share their faith in a lasting way with children. Many are parents, some have done this for years, others are just starting. All volunteers with children are required to attend quarterly training events to keep them current with the needs of children and education. Each volunteer is also Safe Sanctuaries certified, a measure the United Methodist church has put in
What happens on the first Sunday of the month?
We believe it’s important for children to participate in the worship service. On Communion Sunday, which is the first Sunday of the month, the children stay downstairs in the sanctuary for the whole service to learn how big people “do church” and to partake in communion with their families. Children learn best when significant adults in their lives model what is important. Worship bags are prepared in advance for each child with various activities to help enhance the service. We ask that children sit with their families for the majority of the service, so that adults can pay attention also.
What about older kids?
Youth, thirteen years and older, are capable of engaging in a worship service at this age. They can listen to the sermon and relate it to events in their lives. Youth are also encouraged in taking part in worship by reading scripture, helping with the offering or greeting people as they come in. Contact the pastoral staff for more information.
Diaper Changing and Potty Training?
There are three main diaper changing stations. The first is located in the Narthex or north side of the sanctuary through the double doors right outside the bathroom. The second station is located on the second floor in the bathroom at the end of the hall. The third is located in the Babies & Woddlers room in the Children’s Ministry area located on the 3rd floor. If your child is wearing diapers or potty training, please bring extra diapers, pull ups, or underwear. We do not keep these supplies on hand. The Toddler & Twos classroom does have two potty training chairs for children not used to full size toilets.
What if I have more questions?
We would love to sit down with you and share more about Lil’ Revolutionaries. Feel free to call (913)961.9379 or email April Keltner