St. Andrew United Methodist Church offers the community two summer “to-go” programs: “Family Ministry Summer Enrichment” a paid, professionally designed program with weekly themes for early childhood to lower elementary ages, now through July 27, and “Faith at Home,” a free program, June 7 through August 9, for early childhood to 12th grade age groups. Program participants do not need internet or a computer to complete activities, and they are not required to be members of St. Andrew United Methodist Church.
“With many in-person camps and activities canceled, parents are searching for ways to keep their kids engaged this summer,” said Rev. Kim Meyers, associate pastor, Family Ministries. “Our ‘Summer Enrichment’ program provides fun, hands-on activities with a variety of themes, from beaches to outer space! If you have multiple children in the home, activities will be similar but developmentally appropriate for each age, making it fun for the child and easy for all family members to participate together.”
Packages for the Family Ministry Summer Enrichment program, June 1 – July 27, are available for purchase weekly, monthly, or for the full summer and include four daily activities based on science, physical games, snack ideas, and fun crafts. Each activity will take approximately one hour a day and can be planned around a family’s schedule. Weekly themes, in order, are beaches, sea life/oceans, real superheroes, camping, patriotic/July 4, zoo animals, circus, dinosaurs, and outer space. Packets may be picked up weekly and include a passport-to-fun guide for each activity, theme-specific supplies, and recipes as well as a shopping list for snacks needed for the week. Package pricing is $35 weekly; $100 monthly; and $200 for the full summer package. Visit https://standrewumc.org/News/enrichment
“During this time of COVID-19, we also know that in the physical absence of church ministry leaders, the greater responsibility of guiding our children in their faith is falling on families,” added Rev. Meyers. “Our staff has created ‘Faith at Home,’ providing daily, age-appropriate activities up to 12th grade that align with our sermon series.”
Faith at Home is free and designed to support families on their faith journeys with daily, age-appropriate activities aligning with St. Andrew’s sermon series, June 7 – August 9, titled “The Good News of Matthew.” Families may follow the activity sheets, which offer daily activities, Monday through Saturday, for the early childhood, elementary (K-5), and student (6th-12th grade) age groups. Visit https://standrewumc.org/News/FaithAtHome
“This summer could be challenging for parents, and it is our hope that these programs will provide special times each day for families to engage and unplug together,” added Rev. Meyers. “If you have any questions, we would love to answer them. Please email Kelley Dock at Kdock@standrewumc.org. We hope you will join us this summer in one or both programs as we navigate these challenging times together.”
St. Andrew United Methodist Church began in 1986 in the spirit of its namesake, a disciple of Jesus. The life of the Apostle Andrew embodies the church's mission, which is to invite the Christian-ish and the unchurched to become passionate servants of Christ. The congregation of St. Andrew follows Jesus, lives in relationship, serves others, and takes risks in faith. Worship includes four services each weekend on a 21.2-acre campus at the corner of Plano Parkway and Mira Vista in Plano, Texas, where more than 2,000 people gather each weekend. Recent renovation allows the Sanctuary to host worship in both Traditional style, with the classic pipe organ, and Contemporary style, with a new LED center screen and lighting technology. Small groups and Bible studies gather on campus and throughout the region every day of the week. Mission opportunities serve our local area, neighboring regions, and global communities. The church has been repeatedly selected as a "Best Place to Worship in Plano” by the readers of the Plano Star Courier. St. Andrew United Methodist Church is located at 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093. Visit www.standrewumc.org; call 972-380-8001.