What to Expect for You and Your Child Every Sunday Morning.
Forgive the mess! This page is under construction!
Our Pastor
Caitlynn Carpenter
An excellent and faithful children’s ministry always starts with leadership. We have the best at Harbor. Pastor Caitlynn exemplifies the heart and life of a Christian, loves our children, and works hard to create a safe and nurturing environment for them to belong, serve, and grow.
Caitlynn is not just our pastor, however. She also serves as the children’s ministry director for the entire Northwest Indiana District.
Take a moment to get to know her!
Favorite Book of the Bible
Revelation
Favorite Books/Movies
Star Wars
The Lord of the Rings
Her Time at Harbor
November 2021 - Present
Her Family
Keith Carpenter (Husband)
Asher (8)
Ella (7)
Caitlynn’s 5 Goals
We believe the goal of any children’s ministry should be nurturing their faith by helping them engage with and learn the stories of the Bible and what it means to have faith in Jesus. These are the five goals we seek to achieve for your child by the time they graduate out of Harbor Kids:
We take the safety and security of your child seriously. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted near the front entrance by a member of our team who will register you, your child, and check them in to the appropriate classroom. You’ll receive TWO tags - one for you to stick to the back of your child and a security tag for you, which will be needed to check on and check-out your child. You’ll also receive a booklet sharing more about Harbor Kids and a Parent Handbook to learn our procedures and policies.
After checking-in your child, you’ll be able to escort them to the children’s area at the back of the church where they will be taken to their room. Those serving your child will connect with you via text message during service if any need arises.
***Check-in Station closes at 10:15am.
***Every person serving our kids has completed sexual abuse awareness training, completed a background check, and has been trained on emergency procedures. We also have a mandatory policy of a minimum of two persons serving in each room to ensure child safety.
Welcome to Sunday Morning
Checking In
Sunday School
We offer Sunday School classes for each age group every Sunday from 8:30-9:15. We use the curriculum, Eureka!, which teaches your child the stories of the Bible through self-discovery.
Want to check it out? You can download a sample lesson HERE or visit our publishing house, The Foundry Publishing!
Harbor Kids Café
Every Sunday morning after Sunday School, from 9:20-9:50, we provide donuts, various juices and water for all our kids if the parent so desires. This is a great time for them to connect with new friends and enjoy a snack (and a great time for you to do the same in our Fellowship Café!). After they’re finished, Pastor Caitlynn and staff have various activities prepared so your child can enjoy play while waiting for service to begin.
Kids café closes promptly at 9:50am, so make sure to get there early if you’d like your child to participate!
Sunday Classrooms
Discipleship — not Daycare
We’re intentional about ensuring your child leaves hearing the Good News of Jesus. Pastor Caitlynn has tailored age appropriate lessons, crafts, and activities to help them learn the most important story of all time. Here’s a brief glimpse into your child’s room and how we’re achieving that goal.
Nursery and 2s-3s
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Preschool - Kindergarten
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Elementary
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Checking Out
After Sunday service is over and when you are ready to pick up your child, you’ll make your way to our check-out station at the front of the sanctuary. There you’ll present your security badge that you received on check-in to the member of our team doing check-out. They will then check-out your child, stamp your security badge, and allow you access to our children’s are. From there, make your way immediately to your child’s room, present your security badge to the adult in the room, who will then verify that your child has been checked-out and then release them into your care.
***Only the person who checked your child in or those person’s you’ve added as a “trusted person” in our system are able to check-out and leave with your child.
More Than Sunday
We believe that a church isn’t only a place to learn and serve, but also a place for you to belong. We’re intentional about giving our children as many opportunities as possible for them to build friendships with other students and grow closer to the family of God - for their lifetime! Below are a few of our regular efforts to make that a reality for your child.
VBS
We love VBS! Every summer we use Cokesbury to host an extremely fun and energetic VBS for the kids in our church and community. From puppet shows, to games, crafts, Bible stories, and missions opportunities, your child will grow closer to the God who loves them and to each other!
NERF & NACHOS
Sometimes kids just need a night of fun at their church! Nerf & Nachos happens various times throughout the year. We provide all the gear and all the snacks as your child enjoys a night of sweaty fun. Pastor Caitlynn also has a devotional moment so your child leaves knowing more about the God we serve.
MINI CAMP
A couple of times a year, Pastor Caitlynn hosts a 3-day mini camp for our children. Think of it as a mini-VBS - songs, puppets, activities, and stories - all designed so you and your child connect with God, each other, and the students at Harbor. You don’t want to miss these!