Children's Home Page

DGFUMC provides a range of educational opportunities for children of all ages, including nursery care provided during worship hours, Pathfinders (Sunday School), and midweek family fellowship that is linked to children's choir rehearsals. The goal is to help children grow in faith, and become familiar with the Bible through a variety of methods, including storytelling and drama, music, video, games, science, cooking and art.

Vacation Bible School

July 14, 2023 - 10:10pm

Join us for Hero Hotline Vacation Bible School (VBS), where our participants (called Heroes) experience Bible stories through music, drama and storytelling, games, and more. Join the Professor and Super Meer as young Heroes learn to strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up as we are taught in Romans 14:19.

VBS is for children entering kindergarten through sixth grade and is only $15 per child. Pay for registration online at dgfumc.org/giving. We hope to see your kids there!

Let Pastor John know you're coming or if you want to volunteer by filling out the form below. For more information, contact Pastor John at john@dgfumc.org or 630.968.712, x204.

Outdoor Family Movie Night

Outdoor Family Movie Nights take place every Wednesday evening and the whole family is invited!

We'll begin gathering at 7:30 p.m. for fellowship and start the movie when it's dark. There is NO cost! 

Schedule of Wednesday Summer Movies:

July 5  Coco

July 12  Matilda

July 19  Finding Nemo

July 26  Holes

You're welcome to join us for one Wednesday or come each week - whatever fits your schedule! For more information contact John Smoke at john@dgfumc.org or 630.968.7120, ext. 204.

Date: 
Wednesday, July 5, 2023 - 7:30pm

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School
Join us for Hero Hotline on July 18 – 20 from 9:00 a.m. to noon! As our Vacation Bible School (VBS) kids, called Heroes, experience Bible stories through music, drama and storytelling, games, crafts, and more they’ll learn that heroes are called to follow Jesus, help others, work together, listen to God, and show grace! And, best of all, they’ll be invited to answer this call at VBS, at church, at home, and every area of their lives.

Offered for those who are entering kindergarten through sixth grade. For questions or more information, contact Pastor John Smoke at john@dgfumc.org or 630.968.7120, ext. 204. All materials and a pizza lunch are included. Register your child to attend or sign up to volunteer through this link: /sites/default/files/2023_vbs_registration_form_halfpage.pdf

Date: 
Tuesday, July 18, 2023 - 9:00am

DGFUMC Summer Camp

Camp lasts only one week — but what campers take home can last a lifetime.

Campers who will be in 2nd – 8th grade in fall 2023 are invited to join us for summer fun at camp from Monday, June 26 to Thursday, June 29. Camp is located at Wesley Woods Retreat Center in Williams Bay, Wisconsin on the beautiful shores of Lake Geneva.

Why Join Us at Camp?

Our camp offers children and youth the opportunity for a unique time with children, youth, and adults from the church community while enjoying and experiencing God's creation! Games, arts and crafts, nature activities, Bible study, swimming, yoga, campfires, music, and much more are offered!

Register Early

The earlier you register, the easier it is for our camp directors to plan and prepare for an awesome experience. A $50 deposit saves a spot and is due at the time of registration. You may make your payment online by going to https://dgfumc.org/giving. Full payment is due by the start of camp. The registration deadline is June 14, 2023.

More details and the registration form are available in the Summer Camp brochure (see the link below). For any questions, contact Pastor John Smoke at john@dgfumc.org or 630.968.7120, x204.

| Summer Camp Registration Form |

Location: 
Wesley Woods Retreat Center
Date: 
Monday, June 26, 2023 - 12:00pm

Spring Children's Cantata

April 21, 2023 - 7:11pm

Sunday, April 23, 2023 - 10:00am

Join us as our children's choirs come together to present their cantata, The Agape League during the 10:00 a.m. worship service on Sunday, April 23. Presented by the Cherub, Chorister, and Connection Choirs, the story brings together the high-voltage zap, pow, and zowee fun of the superhero genre with the life-changing truth of God's word and the fruit of the spirit as taught in Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control..."

Easter Egg Hunt

Grab your favorite basket and hop on over to hunt for eggs inside DGFUMC! All children ages 3-12 are invited to join us. Bring the entire family and a friend or two to enjoy the hunt!

The fun begins in the sanctuary at 9:00 a.m. sharp so don’t be late as this event moves fast!

Location: 
Sanctuary
Date: 
Saturday, April 8, 2023 - 9:00am

Children's Choirs Start Soon

September 13, 2022 - 3:26pm

We hope you and your children will join us for choir this year! We have choirs for all ages from four through grade 12! Join anytime with a lot, a little, or no experience!

Children’s choir rehearsals will begin on Wednesday, September 14. Come to the parlor a few minutes before your choir rehearsal time to register for choir or register online.

Choir ages/grades and times are below. Please note that we have changed some of the ages and grades for the choirs this year.

Register for Children’s Choir in the Parlor then to rehearsal: 4:15 – 5:45 p.m.

  • 4:30 p.m. – Angel Choir (4 & 5-year-olds & K) – Room 16
  • 5:00 p.m. – Cherub Choir (1st – 3rd grades) – Chapel Hall
  • 5:00 p.m. – Chorister Choir (4th – 5th grades) – Fellowship Hall
  • 5:45 p.m. – Connection Choir (6th – 8th grades) – Fellowship Hall

| Online Choir Registration |

Have a child in high school? Join Chapel Choir!

Join Chapel Choir (grades 9-12) for rehearsal on Sundays. They will be rehearsing on September 4 at 11:15 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. It's not too late to join! For more information, contact Nick Loos, Chapel Choir director, at loos.nicholas@gmail.com or stop by a Sunday rehearsal.

Sunday School Registration

September 13, 2022 - 3:18pm

Registration for 2022-2023 Sunday School is taking place now. Every family needs to register annually; this is how we collect emergency information and allergy Information for each child. Bring your form with you (each family received one by mail) and give it to Pastor John on Sunday or drop it off in the church office during the week. If you prefer to register online, you may do so using the following Google form link.

| Registration Form |

Blessing of the Backpacks

August 20, 2022 - 9:40am

Join in celebrating children and youth all over the world at our 10:00 a.m. worship service on Sunday, August 21.

Children will provide the music for the service and Pastor John Smoke will give a blessing of the backpacks to get the new school year off to a great start. Children of all ages are asked to bring their backpacks to church for the blessing.

Sunday School and Nursery Care

There will be no Sunday School this week so that families may worship together for Children's Sabbath Sunday/Backpack Blessing.

Care for children under age 3 will be provided in the first-floor nursery during worship.

Children and Youth Choir Meet & Greet

Stop by the Children and Youth Choir Meet and Greet in the North/back parking lot this Sunday following the 10:00 a.m. service until 12:30 p.m.

All children and youth from grades 4 through 12 and their parents are welcome. Meet Nick Loos, who is our new Connection and Chorister Choirs director, and the Chapel Choir director. Choir registration begins on Wednesday, September 14 so this is a great time to learn more about choir from Nick and Pastor John!

Outdoor Family Movie Night

Outdoor Family Movie Nights take place every Wednesday evening and the whole family is invited!

We'll begin gathering at 7:30 p.m. for fellowship and start the movie when it's dark. There is NO cost! 

Schedule of Wednesday Movies:

July 6  Ramona and Beezus

July 13  Luca

July 20  Remember the Titans

July 27  Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (interactive!)

You're welcome to join us for one Wednesday or come each week - whatever fits your schedule! For more information contact John Smoke at john@dgfumc.org or 630.968.7120, ext. 204.

Date: 
Wednesday, July 6, 2022 - 7:30pm

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First United Methodist Church 1032 Maple Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515 - Phone: 630.968.7120 - E-mail: dgfumc@dgfumc.org

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