SPL KIDS – Children’s Ministry
The SPL Kids Team is led by the Director of Children’s Ministry, along with Jennifer Suckow, Assistant Director, and Kristin Harman, DCE. Our mission is to partner with parents to empower kid-sized grace-filled disciples in the Decatur area who live and love others as they are loved by Jesus.
We know children are not just the future of the church – they are the church today!
OUR MISSION
We exist to:
Partner with parents by equipping and encouraging parents as the primary spiritual influence for their children.
Empower kids through intentional relationships with volunteers serving within their giftings and real life application.
Grow grace-filled everyday missionary disciples in their school, home, community, and church… wherever they are, right now.
Help kids live like they are loved as full known, fully loved, fully forgiven, fully launched people: The Church of Now
Get Connected with SPL KIDS
SPL Kids: Sunday Education Hour
During the school year, SPL Kids offers a mini-VBS experience on Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:15 AM for children in PreK – 6th Grade. Students participate in a time of Small Groups where they grow in relationship with their consistent small group leaders, peers, and Jesus. They travel to the Great Room for Large Bible Story, Music, and Fun. Then they return to their small groups for age-appropriate, life application discussions and activities. Grown ups bring their PreK – 6th Grade students to the second floor for the secure check-in process and walk their students to the appropriate small group space. They pick their students up from the same space at 10:15 AM. To pre-register, CLICK HERE.
SPL Parents: Sunday Education Hour
Also on Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:15 AM during the school year, all parents/caregivers are invited to gather in Room 122 for community and Bible-based discussion about parenting. Children ages 0-3 years old can join their parents for this time. We are excited to support parents as they build the home… brick by brick. You can also connect with SPL Parents on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/SPLParents
SPL Kids: Nursery
Children ages 6 weeks to 3 years old are invited to the Nursery located near the Worship Center during regular worship services, Sunday Education Hour, and F3 classes. Grown-ups and children will be greeted by friendly staff, led by Nursery Coordinator Leah Pierantoni. They will be securely checked in before being led into the room for a time of play, singing, snack, and stories.
SPL Littles: 10:30 AM Worship
We love having kids in worship, because we know how important it is for kids to see their parents’ faith in action! But we also understand that it’s a big transition to go from being in the Nursery full-time to being in worship full-time. In order to offer support to grown-ups through this transition, we offer a story, prayer, music, and activity time during the sermon at 10:30 AM worship on Sundays for 4-6 year old children (not on holidays). These activities will be different from what happens upstairs during Sunday Education Hour, so 4-6 year olds are able to participate in both. Before worship (10:15-10:30 AM), participating families will check-in near the Dining Room outside the Worship Center and grab a name tag.
SPL Kids: Additional Worship Support
At SPL, we believe that worship provides an amazing opportunity for families to love God and build the home together. In order to help children be engaged in worship, pews are equipped with the Jesus Storybook Bible and SPL Kids Cards. During worship, there’s a special Kids Word before the sermon to help prepare our youngest minds to receive the teaching. Kids can also grab a Kid Kit when they arrive which contains engaging activities such as coloring sheets, sensory activities, sermon notes just for kids, and more! We even have rocking chairs in the back row to support young families.
We love hearing children’s voices in worship, because we know that means God is at work in the next generation. We also understand that sometimes you may feel its best for you to step into the Fellowship Area to give your child a break. Know that we love you and your children and we are full of grace here at SPL!
SPL Kids: F3
F3: Family-Faith-Formation meets Wednesday nights during designated sessions (Fall, Winter). After family dinner, opportunities are available for children of all ages – SPL Kids provides classes for our youngest children in our nursery area, all the way to 6th grade. (Registration is usually available in the month prior to each session, in August and December at SPLDECATUR.ORG/FORMS)
SPL Kids: VBS
Every summer, our SPL Kids Team creates a week-long Vacation Bible School experience to help kids and families know Jesus and the church love them, and they belong. Mark your calendar for VBS: Ready, Set, MOVE! coming June 13-15, 2023 from 6:00-8:30 PM at Fairview Park in Decatur!
SPL Play Dates
During the school year, the whole community is invited to join us for a Play Date in the SPL Field House on the first Wednesday of the month (starting September 7, 2022). The Field House will be open from 9:00-11:00 AM (story and prayer at 9:30 AM). We will have a toddler bounce house, tunnels, balls, and more waiting for you in this grace-filled space. While these gatherings are geared toward young children and their parent/guardian, school-age kids can respectfully play in a dedicated area.
SPL KIDS: Family Resources and Events
Join us for annual events big enough for the whole family like Jingle Jam and Family Night.
Keep an eye out for at-home resources like Family Advent/Lent Kits. Make use of our Worship at Home Tool Kit.
Join our SPL Kids Facebook Group to stay up-to-date with what’s happening with SPL Kids!
Visit and subscribe to our SPL Kids YouTube Channel to view our latest video content like Kids Word and Ask Ms. Kristin episodes.
Download the Parent Cue app for at-home content specific to your child based on the curriculum.
Email Kristin Harman at kristin@spldecatur.org to be added to the weekly devotional email for the most up to date info.
ST. PAUL’S EARLY LEARNING CENTER
The purpose of St. Paul’s Early Learning Center is to serve families of the church and community who desire a Christ-centered care, learning, and growth experience for children ages 6 weeks – 12 years. The Early Learning Center features daily options for ages 6 weeks – 5 years (Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-5:00 PM), and a before/after school, days out program, and summer-time Camp ELC program for school-aged youth.
We are blessed to note that among our qualified and caring teaching staff, there is a total of 90+ years of teaching experience among them at our Early Learning Center alone (not counting the other years of experience they had prior to coming to the ELC). Several of our teachers have been with the ELC for 5-10 years each and three of our teachers have been with the ELC for almost 20 years each. We value our teaching staff and their dedication, and they are passionate about providing this Christ-centered care day after day for the children of our community.
St. Paul’s Early Learning Center is located at 1 Bachrach Court (corner of West Mound Road and Taylor Avenue), within St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Contact the Early Learning Center for more information about classroom availability, preschool or school-aged programs, or schedule a tour today at 217-424-9183.
Find out more
LUTHERAN SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is one of five member churches forming the Lutheran School Association (St. Paul’s, St. John’s, Trinity, Concordia, and Mt. Calvary) and a proud supporter of the school as an extension of our ministry. The school was organized in 1959. In addition to Kindergarten – 8th grade, the LSA established a High School in the fall of 2000. Families have access to a Christian-centered education for their students in Kindergarten through 12th grade right here in Decatur.
Connect with the Lutheran School Association at LSADECATUR.NET or by calling 217-233-2001. Visit the campus at 2001 East Mound Road in Decatur.