Children and youth learn about faith first at home, second at church. The purpose of this guide is to paint a broad picture of what children and youth will experience while participating in the life and ministries of Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church. This is not a checklist, but simply a road map for each child’s spiritual journey.

If you have any questions about the Discipleship Plan, please reach out to Director of Children and Family Ministries Julie Hawkins at juliehawk@tmumc.org.

All Children and Youth...

  • Are invited to receive Holy Communion, regardless of age
  • Are invited to attend Sunday school, worship and small groups
  • Are invited to participate in all programming relating to their current school grade/preschool class
  • Are protected by the Trietsch Ministry Safe Policy
all kids are invited
how to help your kids grow in faith

Parents can help their children grow in their faith by...

  • Being caring and responsive to their child’s needs
  • Talking with their child about God, community, and love at home
  • Supporting the development of their child’s abilities and understanding of their own identity as a unique child of God
  • Showing their child that God is important in their daily life and talking about how God works in our lives
  • Teaching their children to give their best to God through stewardship by caring for their church, all people, and the earth
  • Being open to ways children experience God and are not sure how to articulate
  • Participating in mission opportunities with your child to teach the importance of sharing and caring for others
  • Serving as teachers, leaders and helpers with Children and Youth weekly opportunities and special events to be able to continue the conversation at home
  • Accepting their child is going to have questions you may or may not be able to answer, but being willing to hear their questions and have open conversations about them
  • Attending a Baptism class to prepare for baptism
  • Participating in a Life Group or other small group
  • Working on your own spiritual growth, which is one of the best gifts you can give your child

Birth - Walkers

  • I am beginning to see God’s love through my caregivers
  • I am being introduced to music and Bible stories at church and at home
  • I am loved by my personal family and my church family
  • I feel safe in my home and church
Parents are invited to present children for infant baptism

Toddlers - Twos

  • I am learning that church is a friendly, loving, and caring place
  • I am learning that I am a child of God and God loves me
  • I am learning simple prayers as I observe parents, caregivers, and teachers praying
  • I am learning that the Bible is a special and important book
  • I can sing and pray
  • I can participate in Sunday morning programs, preschool music, and summer programs
Parents are invited to serve with Sunday morning programs, and summer programs

Threes - Fours

  • I am beginning to recognize Bible stories and symbols of faith
  • Guided play helps me learn about and appreciate others
  • I am learning about prayer & can pray for others
  • I can sing songs about Jesus’s love for me
  • I can participate in Sunday School, preschool music, and summer programs
Parents are invited to serve with Sunday morning programs and summer programs

K - 1st Grade

  • I continue to learn Bible stories and symbols of faith
  • I can offer prayers for others
  • I am beginning to learn about Worship
  • I am being introduced to the Lord’s Prayer at home and church
  • I am learning about generosity
  • I can participate in Sunday morning programs, The Anchor, children’s music, and summer programs
Parents are invited to attend The Anchor at any time. Reinforce the lessons of The Anchor by downloading the Parent Cue App. Parents are also invited to serve with Sunday School, The Anchor, children’s music, and summer programs.

2nd - 3rd Grade

  • I receive a Bible from the church as a third grader
  • I am learning to use my Bible at church and home and apply it to my life
  • I am beginning to understand the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion
  • I am learning about generosity through gifts of service and my weekly offering
  • I am learning about worship and my church
  • I can participate in Bible presentation (3rd Grade), The Anchor, Children’s Choir, summer camps, and summer programs
Bibles are presented each September during worship. Parents are invited to attend The Anchor any time. Reinforce the lessons of The Anchor by downloading the Parent Cue App. Parents are invited to serve with The Anchor, children’s music, and summer programs

4th - 5th Grade

  • I am developing a deeper understanding of the many ways to pray and many types of prayers
  • I am becoming more familiar with and beginning to understand the acts of worship through participation in The Anchor and participation in Children’s Choirs
  • I am learning how to live out Jesus’ Greatest Commandment in my home and community
  • I am learning that the Bible is a special and important book
  • I can sing and pray
  • I can participate in Sunday morning programs, preschool music, and summer programs
    • “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37 (NRSV)
    • “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39 (NRSV)
  • I can participate in Sunday School, The Anchor, Communion workshop, Children’s Choir, summer camps, and summer programs
Parents are invited to attend The Anchor any time. Reinforce the lessons of The Anchor by downloading the Parent Cue App. Parents are invited to serve with Sunday morning programs, The Anchor, children’s music, and summer programs.

Meet Children's Staff

Julie Hawkins

Julie Hawkins

Director of Children & Family Ministries

Julie specializes in developing the faith and spirituality inherently living in our kids, but she also believes that children's ministry is incomplete without the love and support of family. She wants to help parents grow in their faith alongside their kids.

Email Julie→

  • 972-539-8547 Ext. 216
Rebecca Lessly

Rebecca Lessly

Faith Voyage Coordinator

Rebecca works tirelessly to make sure everything is in place for your kids to have a great experience in Faith Voyage. She works with volunteers, coordinates lesson plans, and can help you find anything you need when you step into the children's wing.

Email Rebecca→

  • 972-539-8547 Ext. 230
Stephanie Pippett

Stephanie Pippett

Preschool & Childcare Coordinator

Stephanie organizes preschool programming, childcare reservations, and manages the childcare staff. She loves working with kids and always has a smile on her face. She believes that from the first moment your baby is born, they are a part of this church community and should be surrounded in love.

Email Stephanie→

  • 972-539-8547 Ext. 268

Safety Information

Background Checks

There is nothing more important to us than protecting your sweet kids and creating a safe space for spiritual growth. We require that all adults involved in Children or Youth Ministries, including staff, childcare workers, and volunteers, submit themselves for a background check as a safety precaution.

MinistrySafe

MinistrySafe is a safety training program that all volunteers (including teenagers), staff, and childcare workers are required to complete and renew every 2 years. MinistrySafe was created to help ministries meet legal standards of care and reduce the risk of sexual abuse using tools and technology tailored to fit the needs of churches, camps and ministry programs.