Jesus made it very clear that children have a supreme place of importance in all our lives when He said, “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:14). As faithful Christians we can do no less than to give our children our very best. You will find our Children’s Ministries here at Duluth First United Methodist Church to be top quality. If I can help you in any way please don’t hesitate to call.
Yours in Christ,
Leslie Yokeley
Director of Children's Ministries and Christian Beginnings Preschool & Kindergarten
email - lyokeley@duluthumc.org
Website and Social Media Links
Children's Ministry website: https://dfumckids.com/
Children's Ministry Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DFUMCKids/
Children’s Ministry Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/dfumckids/
Christian Beginnings Preschool & Kindergarten Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChristianBeginnings
Christian Beginnings Preschool & Kindergarten Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/cbkids/
CHRISTIAN BEGINNINGS PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN is offered Monday through Friday during the school year from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for children ages 1 through 5 years. Our program provides a loving Christian atmosphere for the growth and nurture of each child. They will have fun and make friends while attending our accredited, award winning school. Christian Beginnings won the “Best of Gwinnett” award in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023! We also won the “Gwinnett Daily Post Reader’s Choice" award in 2019.
For more information, please contact Leslie Yokeley by e-mail at lyokeley@duluthumc.org or Pat Szathmary at pszathmary@duluthumc.org or call 770-497-1743. Registration forms for the 2024-2025 school year are available by clicking on Christian Beginnings Preschool & Kindergarten Registration Forms.
CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL classes are available for preschool children through 5th graders at 11:00 a.m. Children are grouped by age/grade level determined by their age as of September 1st. Sunday school is a time for our children of Duluth First UMC to learn with their friends about God and His Word through stories, activities, songs, games and fellowship using United Methodist curriculum.
9:30 a.m.
Infants (birth to toddler): Childcare Ministry
Toddlers (2 years): Childcare Ministry
3 and 4 year-old (as of September 1st): room C123;
Kindergarten through 2nd grade: room C120;
3rd through 5th grade: room D126.
11:00 a.m.
Infants (birth to toddler): Childcare Ministry
Toddlers (2 years): Childcare Ministry
Preschool (3 & 4 Year Olds): Childcare Ministry
DULUTHKIDS is an exciting Wednesday night opportunity for kids ages Kindergarten through 5th grade and resumes on August 14th. They gather together for fellowship, Bible study, mission opportunities, games and music with the youth praise team! Programming is age-appropriate with curriculum designed for kids. We meet from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Youth Center (“The Fish Tank”), located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center!
If you have any questions or would like to be involved in this ministry for children, please contact Leslie Yokeley, Director of Children’s Ministries, by e-mail at lyokeley@duluthumc.org, or call 770-476-3776, ext. 138.
BOOK BUNCH, a story time for three and four-year olds, will meet in The Louise McDaniel Memorial Library, located on the 2nd floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center library, on Wednesday evenings from 6:15 to 6:30 p.m., will resume meeting on August 14th. Children will hear a story being read from a guest reader and they will have an opportunity to check out a book from the library.
If you would like to be a volunteer reader, please contact Leslie Yokeley, Director of Children’s Ministries, by e-mail at lyokeley@duluthumc.org or call 770-476-3776, ext. 138.
CHILDREN'S CHOIR: Children, ages 4 through 5th grade, are invited to participate in a special children’s choir event. We will sing with the Genesis Youth Choir and Chancel Choir for Music & Worship Arts Sunday on September 15th, at the 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship service.
Rehearsals will be held on Sundays August 4th through September 15th as part of a music time during Sunday school. There will be one additional rehearsal on Sunday, September 8th, from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Please contact David Daniel by e-mail at ddaniel@duluthumc.org for more information.
CHILDCARE AT DULUTH FIRST UMC: Did you know that there was a fully trained childcare staff available at our church? We have a fabulous group of ladies who come here several times a week just to take care of your children. Children, newborn through pre-Kindergarten, are eligible for childcare in the Duluth First United Methodist Church's Childcare Ministry during the 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services. During the 9:30 Sunday School hour, the 3, 4, and 5 year-olds go to their own Sunday School class, while those under 3 stay in the Childcare Ministry.
We also offer childcare several times during the week. It is available to any parent who is here at the church participating in a church sponsored activity (Bible study, choir, etc.) This includes Sunday nights and Wednesday nights throughout the year, Monday nights for women's ensemble as needed, and Tuesday nights as needed for women's Bible studies. Before you say "No" to joining a group at the church because of childcare worries, check and see if childcare is available. There is a good chance that it will be! We look forward to seeing you there.
For more information about the Childcare Ministry at Duluth First UMC, please contact Linda Wettlaufer, Childcare Director, by e-mail at lwettlaufer@duluthumc.org, or at 770-476-3776, ext. 122.
ACOLYTES are 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders who serve at one of the three worship services. They assist during the services with lighting candles, offertory, baptisms, and communion. If you have an interest in being trained to be an Acolyte, please contact the church office at 770-476-3776.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Our 2024 Vacation Bible School, held June 24th – 28th, was a great success!! Our 2025 Vacation Bible School will be held mid-June 2025.
CUB SCOUTS is a group of both male and female children, ages Kindergarten through 5th grade. Children are taught about family values, building self-esteem, duty to God, citizenship to their community and country, as well as learning how to help others by community service projects. We explore the outdoors through camping, hiking, and learning about nature. We meet on Monday nights from 7 to 8 p.m. during the school year. Being a Cub Scout is a confidence-building positive experience. If interested, please contact Tracy Brookshire at 770-757-9648 or by e-mail at bb1288@aol.com.
SCOUTING FOR BOYS is a year-round value-based program centered on family, duty to God, and service to others. It teaches youths (7 to 18) self-confidence, citizenship, and a Christian way of living both in the outdoors and at home! Cub Scouts Pack 420 and Boy Scouts Troop 419 currently meet at Duluth First United Methodist Church.
SCOUTING FOR GIRLS is available at Duluth First United Methodist Church for girls ages 5 to 17. We offer Daisies, Brownies, Junior Girl Scouts, and Girl Scouts. All of the scouting programs for girls emphasize developing self-potential, relating to others, developing values, and contributing to society.