Jesus said “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belong to such as these.” Our kids have a great place to grow up. We have a strong Bible based children’s program that teaches them about Jesus in a fun and engaging way. In each of our groups there is an age appropriate reading or lesson from the Bible and a mixture of games, sport, craft, activities, music and singing. Our goal is that children are taught and discipled in the gospel of Jesus, not only in our church ministries but in their families as well.
Creche
This is child care for children aged 0-3 years during the Sunday 9:30am church service. This ministry has been set up to allow the parents of young children to attend church while their children are being cared for. Toys are provided and children are given personal attention. Children play in a secure indoor/outdoor area in the care of 2 or 3 volunteers.
Kidzchurch
Kidzchurch is primarily a ministry to the children of church families and those of the wider community, operating concurrently with the 9.30am church service. Kidzchurch operates out of all the new halls as well as the old Busy Bees hall which we have been calling “The Den”. This year we have divided our primary section a little differently. After our craft/games and singing time, our groups are divided as follows:
- Primary Boys (Years 3,4,5,6 at school) in “The Den”
- Primary Girls (Years 3,4,5,6 at school) in Tim’s office
- Infants (Years Kinder, 1, 2 at school) Kitchen end of Hall & Hut
- Busy Bees (Preschoolers ages 3-5) Centre room of Hut
Playtime
Playtime meets at 10:30am to 12:30 each Thursday and 10:15am-12:15pm each Friday in term time. Mothers, fathers and children from Gymea Anglican and the wider community can interact in a social setting at Playtime. Each week the children will sing and dance to Christian Children’s Music, hear from the “Rhyme Bible”, make craft and have free play. Throughout the year Playtime was in contact with 45 families with an average of 15 – 20 families each week. Weekly attendance fee per family is $3, with monies collected going towards morning tea, crafts, and Christian books given as Christmas gifts for the children.
Dropzone
Dropzone is for infants and primary school aged children of our community. Activities include a meal, games, discussions and Bible talks. Children meet in the Church Halls on Fridays, during school terms, between 5 and 7pm.
Night Owls Creche
Night Owls is the Sunday 7pm service creche. This Ministry consists of twelve members of the 7pm service, who take turns minding the children who attend the service with their parents. This allows the parents time out to be nourished by God’s word. The time we spend with the children is used playing games, doing craft, reading stories, chatting about God and then calming them down before they go home to bed.
SRE Scripture in School
Special Religious Education (Scripture) continues to be the bedrock of our contact with the wider community at Gymea. The privilege of speaking the gospel to hundreds of children every week of the school year, many of whom would hear it from no other source, is incredible.
All Gymea Anglican Church members working with children have successfully completed the Sydney Anglican Church’s Child Protection Course.
