Children and Family Ministries

Spend Your Sunday with Our Littlest Ones!
There’s nothing quite like spending a Sunday morning with our littlest friends! This fall, Children & Family Ministries is looking for caring adults to volunteer in the Nursery. Spend time playing, reading stories, sharing smiles, and helping our youngest children feel happy and at home at church. It’s a fun and meaningful way to serve, whether you volunteer once or make it part of your regular Sunday routine. Volunteers must be 18 or older with a background check on file. Sign up today by clicking the button below, and come enjoy some time with our littlest ones! Contact Dayna Ratliff at dratliff@fumcbirmingham.org with questions.

Registration Opens October 21, 2026
Unite 3 on 3 is a youth basketball program for kids ages k-4th grade (5th grade for girls). We focus on faith, fun, fellowship and basketball skills.
Come join us for fun, faith and basketball. This skill-based league meets once per week on Saturday mornings during the winter months. Players ages young 5's-4th grade (5th grade girls) are welcome to join us. Each week the players have practice time, game time and a time for a faith moment. There is also a mission component that we focus on for each season. We strive for players to learn basketball and life skills! You do not need to be a member of the church to join-all community families are welcome.

Click here to visit our UNITE PAGE for registration, volunteer information, and more.

Acolyting is a meaningful leadership experience for children in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade.  This role offers a unique opportunity to take an active part in worship by lighting the Christ candles at the beginning of our services in the main sanctuary. As acolytes, children will wear a special robe and cotta provided for them. This important role not only enhances the worship experience but also often becomes a treasured part of their children’s church journey.

We generally ask our acolytes to commit to one Sunday per month from September to May. If your child is considering becoming an acolyte, please contact Dayna Ratliff at dratliff@fumcbirmingham.org for further information.

SPARK -SEPTEMBER THROUGH MAY: SPARK Begins September 17, 2026
Spark is our mid-week children’s program which runs in tandem with Children’s Choir rehearsals on Thursday afternoons from 4:15-6:00 p.m. in the Christian Life Center at Birmingham First. This program is tailored for children ages 3 through 5th grade. As part of this program, children will participate in choir rehearsals and perform during church services (approximately 8 times during the year.)  SPARK offers a fun-filled afternoon of joyful music rehearsals and a variety of engaging activities such recreation, Bible stories, and fellowship.

Children are welcome to join the choir without attending SPARK. Parents can drop off and pick up their children directly at their designated rehearsal spaces. Additionally, children can join the choir or SPARK at any time during the school year to accommodate sports seasons or other activities.

Click here to visit our SPARK PAGE for more information, to register your child, or to register as a Spark Student Worker or Volunteer.

All NEW families or current families with new changes to their information are asked to complete a Family Registration Form to identify anticipated participation in programming.

All participants in Nursery, Sunday School, or church events must have a Medical Release form on file. If you have completed a medical release form since June 2024, you do not need to submit an updated form.

Click the button below for printable forms.

Co-Director, Children and Family Ministries 

mklapp@fumcbirmingham.org
248-646-6407 ext. 3131