Children's Ministry

NURSERY & PRESCHOOL ELEMENTARY Worship Arts FOR MOMS & FAMILIES Events

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

Growing in Faith, Together

At FUMC Dothan, we believe discipleship is for every age and stage. From our youngest children in the nursery to our fifth graders preparing for their next chapter, Children’s Ministry offers age-specific opportunities for children to worship, learn, build relationships, and discover what it means to follow Jesus.

Throughout the week, children experience Scripture in ways designed especially for their stage of development through worship, Sunday School, music, midweek discipleship, and special events. Our hope is to partner with families as we form generations of disciples who know they are loved by God, grow in their faith, and learn to love like Jesus.

NURSERY & PRESCHOOL

Our Nursery & Preschool Ministry creates safe, welcoming, and age-appropriate spaces for our youngest children to begin experiencing the love of God and the church. From dependable nursery care to worship and discipleship designed especially for preschoolers, children are given opportunities to learn, play, worship, and grow alongside caring leaders.

A group of young children, mostly blonde, sit in a yellow toy train indoors. One boy shouts with excitement while another boy smiles at the camera.

Preschool Worship

Sundays | 8:30 & 8:55 a.m. Services Ages: 3P & 4P

Preschool Worship is a worship experience created specifically for our 3P and 4P kids. Each week, children gather in the Rainbow Room to sing, learn a Bible story, explore Scripture through the Wonder Ink curriculum, and learn monthly memory verses that help them know and remember God's Word. Our desire is to help preschoolers discover who God is in a joyful, engaging environment while laying a strong biblical foundation at an early age.

A group of four young children stand around a table, concentrating as they pack snacks and food items from cardboard boxes into clear plastic donation bags.

Preschool Sunday School

Sundays | 10:00 a.m.Ages: 3P & 4P

Sunday School builds on what children are learning in Preschool Worship through hands-on activities, discussion, crafts, and play. Using the Wonder Ink curriculum, children are encouraged to wonder about God, ask questions, and grow in their understanding of Scripture in an age-appropriate classroom environment. Parent take-home sheets are sent home with children to encourage family devotion throughout the week at home.

Young children play in a bright, colorful room. Two girls are near large soft blocks, while an adult pushes other children in a multi-seat wagon.

Play & Praise

Wed | 6:00 p.m.Ages: 3P & 4P

Play & Praise is our Wednesday evening ministry for 3P and 4P children. Each week, kids gather for play, music, and Bible stories that help them learn about Jesus in a joyful, age-appropriate way. It’s a midweek space where preschoolers can grow in their faith while enjoying a safe, welcoming environment with friends.

A toddler in a white shirt and blue shorts stands in a playroom, looking at the camera. Another child plays on the floor and toys are scattered around.

Nursery Care

Sunday AM & PM & Wednesday PM Ages: 6 weeks through 2 years

Nursery care is available for children ages 6 weeks through 2 years on Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings, and Wednesday evenings. Childcare is also provided for many other church events; please check individual event information for availability and schedule details.

ELEMENTARY | K5–5TH GRADE

As children grow, so do their opportunities to explore their faith. Our elementary ministry gives K5–5th grade children spaces to ask questions, build friendships, discover Scripture, worship, serve, and begin making their faith their own. Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights, and special experiences throughout the year work together to help children grow as disciples of Jesus.

A view from behind a group of young girls sitting on chairs, eagerly raising their hands while watching a presentation on a lit stage.

JAM Worship

Sundays | 8:30 & 8:55 AM Grades: K5–5th

JAM — Jesus and Me — is a worship experience designed especially for elementary-age children. Through music, Scripture, prayer, teaching, and interactive elements, kids experience the rhythms of worship in ways created just for them.

JAM helps children understand not only what we do in worship, but why we worship, giving them a foundation they can carry with them as they grow and participate more fully in the worship life of the church.

Two young boys laugh and play together in a classroom, while another boy, a girl, and a teacher are in the background near a table with puzzles.

Sunday School

Sundays | 10:00 a.m.Grades: K5–5th

Sunday School gives children a place to dig deeper into Scripture alongside friends and caring adult leaders. Through age-appropriate Bible lessons, activities, conversation, and prayer, children learn more about who God is and how God's Word connects to their everyday lives.

Children are escorted to their classes after JAM; no additional check-in is needed.

A woman stands at a podium with a microphone, speaking to a large group of elementary school children sitting on risers in front of a blue wall.

Wednesday Nights

Wednesdays | 6:00 p.m.Grades: K5–5th

Wednesday nights give children another opportunity to connect, learn, and grow in the middle of their week. Through Bible study, activities, small-group experiences, and time with friends, kids explore what it looks like to follow Jesus beyond Sunday morning. Bible studies take place 6:30–7:00 p.m., following music activities.

Wednesday evenings also include opportunities to participate in children’s choirs, chimes, and handbells. See times under Children’s Worship Arts.

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP ARTS

Faith is formed in many ways, and music gives children a unique opportunity to participate in the worship life of the church. Our Children’s Worship Arts ministries help kids develop their gifts, learn about worship, and discover the joy of offering those gifts to God.

A large group of young children sing on a wooden stage with their hands raised. A screen behind them displays song lyrics for a church performance.

Children’s Choir

Wednesdays | 6 PM Grades: K5–5th

Children’s Choir introduces kids to music as an expression of worship. Children learn songs, develop musical skills, and prepare to help lead the congregation in worship throughout the year.

More than learning music, choir gives children an opportunity to understand that they have a meaningful place in the worship and ministry of the church.

Two young boys in matching light blue shirts sit side-by-side, intently reading from a book of sheet music on their laps. One boy points to the notes.

Chimes & Handbells

Wednesdays | 5:30 PM

Children can also explore instrumental worship through our chime and handbell ministries. Chimes are open to K5–5th grade children with no prior experience and provide an introduction to ringing and ensemble music, while handbells are for 3rd–5th graders who have at least one year of chimes experience and offer a next step in developing musical skill and leadership in worship.

These groups help children learn teamwork, musicianship, and what it means to use their individual gifts as part of something bigger.

Children's Ministry