Year-round Children’s Activities
Several times during the year families and children of Hillcrest UMC are given the opportunity to participate in mission activities. Recent activities include:
Pennies For Missions:
Each week children are encouraged to collect pennies to bring to worship to give to a special offering taken as the children come to the chancel area for the Children’s Moment. Don’t be surprised when the adult nearest your child gives them change to add to their offering! Everyone gets
involved in this mission project! Each year the children of Hillcrest UMC collect over $1,000 to support
missionary work in the world.
Valentines Party “Give Love to Others:
Children joined together to make Valentine cards for children in the Madison Children’s Home and gathered supplies to create Back Seat Bags to keep in their family car to give to homeless persons they may meet as their family travels together.
School Supplies for Children:
One of the ways Hillcrest UMC supports children in need in our local community is by providing basic supplies for school. During the month prior to the first day of school, children and their families are encouraged to purchase and donate school supplies to be given to local children who need these basics to start their new school year
Angel Tree:
Each Advent season families are asked to take an angel from the Christmas tree in the Welcome Area. The angel will give you a child’s name and their wish for a Christmas present. For many of these children the Angel Tree ministry is the only way they will receive presents this Christmas. Families are encouraged to shop and wrap the present together as a way to become involved in giving to others during the Advent season.
Clothes Collection:
New and clean used children’s clothing can be placed in the bins in the Education Building Hall. The clothing is given to a local family shelter.
Look for colorful baskets during the Easter Egg Hunt as the children gather in the Welcome Area to hear the Easter story and to make several Easter crafts. The children are divided into age level groups for the Easter Egg Hunt and each group has a special spot on the church grounds to hunt for eggs. Kids should bring their Easter Baskets for the hunt. Moms and dads bring your camera!
Vacation Bible School is offered each summer in June for children ages three through sixth grade. Each year the theme is developed through Bible study, crafts, drama, and other fun activities. Volunteers are always welcome to help make VBS a wonderful experience for the children. How? By volunteering to be a
teacher or helper, collecting craft supplies from home (list provided each spring), offering to work out a
carpool so others can attend, and praying for the teachers and participants.
Costumes, crafts, and games are plentiful during this fun filled activity. Each fall, on a Sunday
night near the end of October, Hillcrest offers the Fall Festival to encourage fellowship among the
children and their families. Face painting, games, a costume contest, and other activities all add up to a night of fun.