Our Children’s ministry remains connected to our littlest ones through online curriculum, events, and parades. This shows the creativity and flexibility of our staff to adapt quickly to meet our children’s needs during this unique world event.
CURRICULUM
Sunday School has streamed weekly videos online with a lesson, Bible story and video. VIEW HERE
Worship Notes for children to follow along during Sunday service have been made available on our website.
Check-in with Mom to Mom group. Help plan summer “social hours” and virtual Bible study.
Researched new curriculum for Sunday School as our current one is being discontinued.
CRAFT AND PROJECTS
Resurrection Eggs to-go, where pre-made kits were picked up by parents.
VBS has gone Virtual as lessons have been recorded and will be made available through the Suncreek website. VIEW HERE
Moms of young children received survival kits in May.
Mother's Day craft video was distributed through Facebook and the website.
Palm Sunday craft
EVENTS
Birthday cards continue to be mailed.
Sunday School teachers receive e-cards for their birthdays.
Other e-cards sent to various groups.
Children's Ministries contributed to the Boyd School Supply drive.
Triple B (Bible, Bop and Boogie) - Wednesday Class at Stryker Park SEE DETAILS
PARADES
A pick-up "parade" with VBS in a bag and visits from various characters.
Participated in the Preschool send-off parade.
Palm Sunday Virtual Parade.
LEADERSHIP MEETINGS AND NETWORKING
Met with Communications Director to find best methods of distribution.
Children's Council continues to meet online to plan and implement special events and Sunday School materials.
Participated in Zoom Meetings with the NTC regarding resources for children and summer camp options at Bridgeport.
Met with other Children's Ministers to brainstorm ways to work during these times.
Created and continually update the Suncreek Kidz JAM Facebook page.
CREATED A DISCIPLESHIP-FROM-HOME WEB PAGE - VIEW HERE
Lists ways church members can put our faith in action
Ways to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ through simple, practical at home disciplines
Gathered information about online small groups with contact forms to join
Ways to volunteer to serve in outreach, or donate to charity--all with just one click!
CLASSES AND GROUPS
Created a 1-stop web page for people to learn about & join any of our groups currently meeting online. VIEW HERE
Almost ALL of our adult Sunday School classes and the Women's Sensible Shoes Book Club have made the switch to an online format and continue to meet weekly for fellowship and study.
The Men of Suncreek 2nd Saturday Breakfast, Young Adults Group, and SWIM (Suncreek Women in Ministry) book club also have moved their monthly meetings to the online format.
Pastor Barry led a 3-week class for parents about how to answer your kids questions about faith & God that reached families not already connected with another adult class.
Pastor Milton has started a summer study on the Gospel of Mark
Our Mom to Mom group is also making plans now for summer gatherings.
Several new classes or groups are in the works, so stay tuned for more information!
Pastor Milton's Christian Believer class continued their learning online & completed their 32-week study.
Our Wednesday Night Prayer Group with Pastor Milton receives recorded lessons in which they continue to pray over our church's joys and concerns weekly and to preview the next Sunday's scripture lesson.
The final sessions of the "Spiritual Practices for Lent" class met online.
Pastor Tami started a Wednesday noon Zoom prayer group that prays through our church prayer list and offers a time of interactive pastoral prayer for the joys and concerns of those who join in. We'd love to have a few more participants! If you like to pray for others, or would like to be prayed for, CLICK HERE
HELPFUL VIDEOS DURING QUARANTINE - WATCH HERE
Suggestions for improving your at home worship experience
Learning to pray with scripture (Lectio Divina)
Stress & Anxiety - 5 Senses Exercise
Practicing presence through breath prayer
A service of "Hope & Healing" to honor the various losses members of our community have experienced due to COVID/during this time
STEPHEN MINISTRY TEAM
9 new Stephen Ministers continued their meetings and were able to complete their 52 hours of training in order to be commissioned in April.
Provides 1-on-1, confidential support to those experiencing any kind of crisis--from divorce to job loss or death of a loved one, personal health concerns or difficult relationships. CONTACT HERE
CONGREGATIONAL CARE
Numerous volunteers assisting with grocery purchases & delivery to senior church members
Volunteers also helped deliver special care packages to senior members & young moms
Mailing cards of encouragement to our seniors and young parents
Sending Get Well and Sympathy Cards as well as "Journey Through Grief" booklets to church members who have been hospitalized or lost a loved one
Making phone calls to EVERY church member/family and guest who has worshipped with us since last September! These calls continue every few weeks, so if you would like to get involved, sign up through our Discipleship at Home page. CLICK HERE
Two groups were developed for the Boyd Treat Team to reach out to during this time:
Boyd teachers, school administration & employees associated with Suncreek UMC
Medical & first responders associated with Suncreek UMC
We have been sending weekly devotionals & words of encouragement to each group. Many others have delivered home baked goods, sent cards or emails to encourage the men and women who are doing so much during this time of change.
Collected 3 large bins of crafts, small toys, sidewalk chalk and other items to donate to the students from Boyd Elementary who live in apartments to keep them entertained during the quarantine.
Hosted a very successful food drive to collect items for Boyd students this summer for sack lunches and non perishable items to help restock the food pantries that are seeing more clients than ever before.
A group of amazing volunteers have sewn masks for senior citizens, health care workers and others. They have given generously of their time and talent so others can be safe during this time.
The daily bread run has continued and has been so greatly appreciated by the agencies that receive the bread. The Allen Community Outreach center had over 140 cars in line last week to receive food and the bread was very much appreciated. Our volunteers have taken all precautions to be careful and stay safe.
Purchased toiletries, craft kits, and other prizes for the senior citizens at Wesley Rankin who took their weekly bingo game on line. The winners of the bingo games are loving the prizes that are delivered to their door by volunteers from the center.
Generous Communion offering in March helped with the Saturday lunch program in Juarez and has also gone to support emergency food baskets for families since the quarantine started.
WORKING WITH AND SUPPORTING CASA LINDA UMC (our sister church)
Purchased 50 toy bags sponsored through a toy store in Dallas for the children of Project Transformation.
Supported a summer intern who will provide zoom and online learning and activities for the children all summer.
Annually support Casa Linda UMC with $500 to help with their utility costs for hosting Project Transformation in the summer. This year we sent this budgeted amount in the form of a love offering to be used to purchase grocery gift cards to help families with additional challenges due to the pandemic.
WORSHIP SERVICES
Sundays have combined both traditional and contemporary styles of worship into one blended service that has contained hymns, songs, past recordings, and other music with the help of our worship team, pianist, organist, and Daniel Ingram.
Each weekly service has been recorded on Saturday mornings and published Sunday morning.
Services have incorporated other special recognitions such as our new Stephen Ministers, Confirmands, Graduates, baptisms and new members.
EQUIPMENT UPGRADES PROVIDED BY GENEROUS DONORS
We were able to install upgrades to our sanctuary’s audio/visual equipment
Upgrades included new projectors, a new sound board, cables and professional tuning.
ADULTS
Our chancel choir, while unable to sing due to how singing can potentially spread the virus, has been meeting through Zoom to share in a time of socializing, prayer requests, and prayer.
Our worship team has split their worship contributions between live worship recordings in the sanctuary and creating individual audio recordings which are then edited together.
YOUTH
Like the chancel choir, Cantate has been meeting through Zoom for a time of group discussion, prayer requests, and prayer.
Cantate’s one graduating senior was gifted a framed copy of “Be Not Afraid” which was signed by the composer.
In the process of creating a Cantate t-shirt for this summer to take the place of the tour t-shirt.
Our Youth Praise Band met at the church and recorded the music for Graduate Sunday
Small groups are meeting for Bible studies, discussions and games
Recorded a choir piece in small groups for a future Sunday service.
CHILDREN
Our Children’s music ministry, W.A.M. (Worship Arts and Music for Kids), has been posting numerous musical activities, recordings, and news updates via Facebook. VISIT HERE
We visited the graduating 5th graders who participated in W.A.M. and gave them their own hymnal with their name on it.
We have been hosting weekly Zoom meetings for youth to dig deep in the word to grow stronger in their faith: Wednesday Nights with RÜST and Sunday Nights - UMYF
CONFIRMATION CLASS
Completed classes through May
Designed yard signs with Ashley Southard
Delivered signs to the 2020 Confirmation Class with Kimmi Cramer and Pastor Barry
Confirmation class was also celebrated through a video showing the high points of the 36 week confirmation journey on our service that honored our confirmation class of 2020.
GRADUATES
Youth-led Graduate Sunday with 3 graduate speakers and a graduate children’s time leader with worship led by the Youth Praise Band - WATCH THE SERVICE
Created a highlight video of past mission trips and graduate video of seniors saying where they are going to college/university next year
Shelia Hurst and friends delivered 23 Senior Gifts: throw blankets for college with the Graduates' names and the SCUMY logo.
Supported the local town efforts of Adopting a Senior by making sure that all of our Suncreek Youth were covered! We ended up taking care of 10 High School Graduates and 10 College Graduates. Church families would adopt these grads and shower them with gifts and attention.
SUMMER SMALL GROUPS - SEE TIMES & LOCATIONS
Currently offering many summer Bible studies and book studies throughout each week
6th Grade VBS meets Wednesday afternoons at Stryker Park
Middle School small group meets Fridays at Noon
Rising 6th Graders meet for pre-confirmation bonding on Wednesdays
BIKING AROUND TOWN
Youth minister, Erick Dahl, has visited close to 100 different youth to check on them and let them know we care about them.
Wednesday bike rides with Erick, Trager and company - sack lunch, devotional and fellowship
YOUTH MISSION WEEK, JULY 6-11
Local service opportunities, food, fellowship, and devotionals each day from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
We will be working with organizations like New Hope, Dallas Ramps, ACO, Allen Food Pantry, North Texas Food Bank, Suncreek Trustees and Suncreek Seniors to make an impact in our local community.
Youth can sign up for the whole week or just specific days you are available (includes a t-shirt). Parents can also sign up to help provide lunch. SIGN UP HERE
Our preschool ministry has been vibrant and busy during the weeks of quarantine:
In a matter of 4 days after shutdown, the leadership and staff were able to create online curriculum so that school was able to continue remotely the following Monday. This was an incredible effort by our staff and showcases the dedication our team members have to their students.
We offered online learning for our preschoolers via Zoom, Facebook, YouTube and other unique platforms.
Our teachers worked passionately to provide age appropriate and meaningful online experiences/curriculum. Examples included simple read aloud stories, fun science experiments and even an edible math lesson.
We are proud to say that our main focus was on our bible curriculum, reminding both student and parent of God’s incredible love for us all. It was a wonderful way to minister to our families!
We officially ended our school year with our “Suncreek Kids Send Off Parade.” Parents drove through the circle drive as they were greeted by our incredible staff. Students remained in their cars and were presented a memory book highlighting their year at Suncreek Kids. Music, balloons, sunshine and smiles helped us end thIs unique school year in a happy & joyful way!
While the campus has been closed our Trustees have continued to improve and upgrade the facilities. This amazing volunteer work force has not slowed down during this time, but instead are using the opportunity to implement many improvements on your campus.
CLEANING
Arranged Complete Cleaning of Church according to CDC Standards
Helped clean wax from Pews and stains in the Sanctuary
Cleaned Uppers Windows in Building C
CAMPUS SECURITY & OVERSITE
Completed Quarterly inspections of all buildings and grounds
Worked numerous solutions to closing Stryker Park
Working with City of Allen on Construction at McDermott/Suncreek
BUILDING REPAIRS & UPGRADES
Completed Electronic Exterior Door Locks
Installed Door Guards to all Children classrooms
Replaced Water Heater and repaired leaks above the Men's Bathroom
Repaired and repainted Men's Bathroom
Replaced numerous lights inside and outside the buildings
Installed a new tether ball
Numerous repairs to hoses, valve covers, gutter straps
Replaced Leaking Water Fountain
Repaired Air Conditioning Pressure Line
Retrofitting of LED lights tested at multiple places around the church
Replace the Carpet in much of Building C
Repaint walls in many of the rooms in Building C
GROUND MAINTENANCE & UPGRADES
Repaired Parking Lot Lights
Working on Irrigation Inspection Audit from City of Allen
Cleaned Up Trash around parking lots and Stryker Park
There's a lot going on behind the scenes at Suncreek to keep everything running smoothly week to week.
Tracking Sunday attendance: sending notes and calls to all who sign in as guests
Making calls to Senior Members -- especially those who live alone
Sending written notes to those added to prayer list each week
General cleaning and maintenance around campus
Filling the chancel candles with oil
Delivered Easter lilies
Regularly checking in on volunteers: sending love and encouragement.
Finance committee consistently reviews monthly statements
Weekly staff and creative meetings
Regular website and social media updates
Producing promotional videos for events, groups and classes
Recording, editing and publishing Sunday services
Creating graphics for event and class promotions
Updating Pastor Barry's new blog, Inspirational Walks with Pastor Barry
Updating audio and video production equipment around campus
Creating church-wide surveys, emails and social media content
Parsing and analyzing data