Children's Ministry

Newborn - 5th Grade

What To Expect

New To North Park?

Our Children’s Ministry wing is on the second floor, down the hallway to your left. Some of our classrooms are on the third floor as well. The rooms are clearly marked, but if you have any questions, contact our Children’s Ministry Director, Kelly Laird, or one of our friendly greeters right outside the nursery.

Secure Check-In

Upon arriving at NPC, please stop by one of our Check-In Stations. They’re located on the 1st and 2nd floors. You will sign in your child(ren) for any of our programs that day. Parents will be given a parent safety tag and a child identification tag. The ID tag gets placed on the child, and the parents present the safety tag when returning to pick up the child.

How To Check-In

Staff and Volunteers

Anyone over 18-years-old that is working with children at North Park must submit up-to-date Child Abuse and Criminal History clearances. Volunteers are asked to fill out an application each year. Paid nursery workers are interviewed and offer 2-3 references that are checked before hiring. Our nursery workers are certified in CPR, First Aid, babysitting, and AED training. If you’d like to volunteer with our kids – fill out an application.

Child Safety Policies & Procedures

We have a Child Safety Policy that is reviewed and updated regularly.

Programs

NURSERY
NURSERY

Sundays

Care for our littlest ones (birth to 36 months) is offered during worship services, Sunday School, and other church events. We hire paid workers with their current clearances and babysitting, CPR, First Aid/AED, and other lifesaving certifications. Nursery workers will welcome families and do their best to make a child’s time with them pleasant, comfortable, and fun. Be sure to inform us of any allergies or special accommodations your child needs. If you have any questions or concerns, contact our Children’s Director.

3-YEAR-OLD
3-YEAR-OLD

Sundays

Three-year-olds are cared for all Sunday morning by our loving volunteers. A blend of playtime, storytime, Bible reading, prayer, and snack. This helps kids this age transition from the nursery to our preschool-level program.

KIDS' WORSHIP
KIDS' WORSHIP

Sundays
During Worship Service
(Dismissed in Service)
3-year-olds through 2nd grade

  • Children remain in the worship service until dismissal.
  • At KW, children are led in a small-group prayer time, engaging Bible lessons from Explore the Bible Kids (Lifeway), missions, and Biblical application to their daily lives, all in a safe & fun setting.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sundays (September-May)
9:00-10:00 a.m.

Classes are offered during the school year (September-May) for 3-year-olds – 5th grade. Our experienced, kind, and compassionate teachers use the Dwell Curriculum from Faith Alive Christian Resources. In addition, children attending Sunday School go through the Bible several times throughout their time with us.

TREKKERS
TREKKERS

Second Sunday of Each Month
4:30-6:00 p.m. | Room 112

Trekkers is a monthly ministry for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. Each month, we meet to study God’s Word and how it applies to our everyday life, play games, and eat a meal together. This year, we’ll be discussing God’s Purposeful Design for Humans.

Dates For 2023-2024:
April 14, May 5

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

June 10-14, 2024

VBS is our annual summer camp that attracts kids from far and wide. This weeklong camp is filled with fun, faith forming activities, and kids leave knowing that God loves them very much.

Child Registration

All visitors are asked to register their child(ren). This may be done in person or online. Regular attendees are no longer required to register their child(ren) each year except to update contact and emergency information.

Volunteer Renewal

If you work with kids at NPC, we ask you to update your contact information each year and your clearances every five years, as deemed appropriate by the state of Pennsylvania.

Children's Membership & Baptism

Covenant Baptism

As Presbyterians, we view our children as essentially being part of the church family until they may opt out by their own choices. Therefore, we apply to our children the covenant sign of water baptism. This is preferably done as soon as possible.

Once baptized, a child is regarded as a “baptized member.” Note that we only baptize children with at least one parent who is an active church member.

Learn more about our Baptism here.

Confirmed Membership/Communion

We long to see our covenant children come to a place where they can personally confess faith in Jesus. When a parent feels a child has reached this point and can make a credible profession before the elders, this is the time for an interview to be admitted to the Lord’s Table and to the confirmed membership of the church. Parents may call the office, contact the Senior Pastor or approach any elder about this.

Children's Membership Manual

A children’s membership manual has been developed for parents who desire to assist their children in preparing for confirmed membership. This is a home-study version of a communicants class, covering the basics of the gospel, what Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are about, and what church membership involves. This material is offered at no charge and is entirely optional.

Children’s Manual | Parents Guide

Adult Membership

Once they turn 16, young people at NPC will be encouraged to attend regular adult membership courses or special teen membership classes when offered. Upon completing the class requirements, at least two elders will interview a teen who desires to become a full adult member. If the teen has already been approved for communion and membership, this will be a teen shepherding checkup; otherwise, it is a regular membership interview.

More Information

Click here for more information.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Senior Pastor or an Elder.

Questions?

The safety of our children is extremely important to us. We are constantly evaluating our procedures and updating our security policy to protect our children.