Welcome and Introduction

We welcome you and your little one to the childcare programs and ministries of Lewisburg UMC. We seek to offer childcare during worship and any other church activity during which childcare  is needed.

On Sunday mornings, the nursery is open to children 5 years of age and younger during both worship services (9:00am and 11:00am) and during the Sunday School hour (10:00am). 

The nursery is also open throughout the week for various Bible Studies, Fellowship Groups, Special Worship Services and Ministry Team meetings when persons within the various groups need childcare for their children.

 As members of the United Methodist Church, we uphold the rights of children and acknowledge that children are a sacred gift from God. In proclaiming that sacredness, we in the Church carry a commitment to enable all children to experience the fullness of life as Jesus proclaimed.

“He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.’" - Mark 9:36-37

"…Permit the children to come to me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." - Mark 10: 14.

At Lewisburg United Methodist Church we promise to surround our children in a community of love and forgiveness that they may grow in their service to others. Our intention is to minister to the needs of all children and provide them with a caring community where all may be nurtured in a dignified and loving manner. When arriving at the nursery, please be sure to sign the child in with your name and the current time. Generally, children will adjust more satisfactorily if parents do not linger in the nursery. Our competent nursery staff will notify you if your child is having difficulty adjusting in your absence. Our nursery has a pager system.  When you bring your child to the nursery, you will be given a pager.  If your child becomes upset or needs you for any reason, the nursery staff will page you.  So, you can rest assured knowing that you are only a "page" away should your child need you. 

We also ask that you, as the parent, sign your child out of the nursery.  Please do not send older siblings to sign your child out.

Information Cards

All parents are asked to fill out an information card. This lets the childcare providers know important information (such as allergies) regarding the care of your child. Please help us keep your child’s information up to date. 

Pagers

Pagers are given to parents when they arrive in the nursery.  If your child needs you, becomes upset or becomes ill, the nursery staff will page you.  Your pager will vibrate, alerting you that you are needed in the nursery.  So, you can relax during worship, Sunday School and other church activities knowing that that nursery will be be able to contact you immediately should your child need you.

We have a limited supply of snacks in the nursery.  We take into consideration food allergies.  If your child requires feeding (as with a bottle) while in the nursery, please supply the caregiver with explicit instructions.

Sick Children

We ask that you do not bring a sick child to the nursery.  Some signs of childhood illnesses include: coughing, sneezing, runny noses and eyes, fevers, vomiting and fatigue.  We also encourage you to notify the nursery staff should your child contract a common childhood disease such as chicken pox, so that we may inform other parents of possible exposure.

Should your child become ill while in the nursery, our staff will notify you immediately.

Certain behaviors (for the safety of all children present) are not permitted.  Biting, kicking or hitting are impermissible at all times.  Consequences for such behavior first includes a warning and then a time-out.  If this behavior persists, then the staff is obligated (based on discretion and maturity) to notify the parents of the child.

What to Bring?    

We invite you to bring with your child any of his or her favorite toys or books. We promote active sharing in the nursery. Thus it is a good idea to have your child’s personal belongings labeled so that you are able to recognize his/her possessions upon departure.

If your child requires the use of diapers, we ask that you supply one diaper for each hour he/she will be in the nursery.  A minimum of two diapers is suggested.

How you can help

All parents who use the nursery service at least once in a six month period are asked to volunteer at least four times a year in the nursery. Although we have a paid staff, additional volunteers are needed.  Finally, we invite you to continue to pray for our children and for our nursery staff.

Staff

Presently, our nursery is staffed with a core of strong volunteers from our church family and three paid staff persons. The paid staff members are easily recognizable in their staff t-shirts.

Comments and Feedback

We continually welcome your comments and feedback. Should you have a concern, please bring your concern to the awareness of Lara Nunley Edwards, Minister of Children and Christian Formation, one of the pastors, or one of the nursery staff members. Thank you. It is our hope to continually provide a safe, secure and nurturing environment for your child.