Children’s Ministry
At Zionsville UMC, we deeply value children and believe in their unique role in God's story. We partner with families to help children know, love, and serve Jesus, laying a strong foundation for lifelong faith.
Together with parents, we are raising up young disciples by creating spaces where every child feels safe, known, and loved—and where they can discover their God-given purpose and build lasting friendships.
What We’re About
Our Sunday ministry invites children to:
Explore and discover God through: Worship, Learning, Prayer, Serving, and Play
Build friendships and faith in environments designed especially for them
Be supported by consistent, caring leaders
Feel seen, heard, and valued as part of our church family
We’re here to support you as a parent, equipping you to lead spiritually at home, while we walk alongside you at church.
What Does a Typical Sunday Look Like?
Here’s what you can expect on a Sunday morning:
Ages 3–1st Grade
Check in before worship
Go directly to age-specific classrooms for the full service
2nd–5th Grade
Begin in worship with their families (first 20–25 minutes)
Dismissed to classrooms with peers for the remaining 35–40 minutes
This rhythm allows kids to experience church as the body of Christ with all ages while also engaging in meaningful learning at their own level.
Why We Do It This Way
We believe:
Worshipping together as a church family builds unity and belonging
Children benefit from hearing the Word in a way that connects with their age and understanding
Strong relationships with trusted adult leaders help faith stick
Church should be a place where kids feel known, safe, and loved
When & Where
Children’s Ministry (ages 3–5th grade) meets every Sunday at 9:30 AM & 11:00 AM during both worship services.
Have Questions?
We’d love to connect with you! Contact Tracy Vermillion, Director of Children’s Ministry: tvermillion@zumc.org
You can read through more FAQs about what to expect on Sunday mornings, here: What to Expect on Sunday Mornings
Childcare (0-2 year olds)
If you have younger children who are not yet old enough for one of the Sunday morning classes, we have several options for you.
Bring Them With You Into the Sanctuary Your children are always welcome to join us in the main sanctuary. We have activity bags you can pick up from an usher and you can definitely bring snacks from home if you find those helpful.
Childcare We have childcare spaces set up for our families in the classrooms down the children's ministry hallway. You'll find a nursery space for infants-2 year olds available in Room 10! Our volunteers, including childcare leaders, must submit to a background check and attend mandatory child protection policy training. For your child's safety, our volunteers never serve alone.
Parent Resource Space If you find your child has a little too much energy for the sanctuary or is talking a little louder than you'd like, you can watch the service from our parent resource space. This space has puzzles, books, and some toys for your child and for parents, comfy couches and chairs as well as a large TV to livestream the service. You'll find this space off the lobby behind the welcome center.
Nursing Mothers If you are a nursing mother we have space set aside for you while you're here on a Sunday morning. As you exit the sanctuary, turn left and you'll a room with several rocking chairs, plus chairs, and a couch for your convenience and comfort. We also have a TV in this space so that you livestream the service.
Route 45 (4th & 5th Graders)
Sunday Mornings
Route 45 meets Sunday Mornings at 9:30 in Room C113 from Labor Day to Memorial Day. Join Andrew and the crew to dive into the Bible, have conversations, play games, and build friendships. After checking in, please start the service in the sanctuary with your family, and then come to your room once all children and youth are released from the service.
Beyond Sunday Mornings
Each month Route 45 (4th and 5th Grade Kids) meets on a Sunday afternoon from 2:00 - 3:00pm for planned activities that are a blast and help build friendships. Activities can range from a huge game of hide-n-seek around the entire church to water balloon competitions in the summer or a retreat where kids dive into God’s word and do a service project.
Photography Announcement
Periodically, we will have a photographer take pictures of our ZUMKidz Sunday experience and events. We capture these experiences to share through our website, printed material and social media. If you prefer not to have your child photographed for this purpose, please contact Tracy Vermillion (tvermillion@zumc.org).
Parent Resources
Topics include:
Faith conversations
Emotional conversations
Click here to access our Parent Resources page.
Parent Newsletter
Would you like to receive our weekly, parent newsletter via email? The newsletter is the best way to stay up-to-date on all things children’s ministry at Zionsville UMC.
Click here to send an email to Tracy Vermillion, Director of Children's Ministry.
Christmas Musical
We're ready to kick off our rehearsals for the ZUMC 2025 Christmas Musical and hope you are, too! We'd love for your kid(s) to return to sparkle and shine as heavenly stars in this year's production called Star Stomp!! This fun story tells how the heavenly stars got front row seats to the excitement taking place on Earth... the coming of the Savior!! Use this link to register your child for the show. Please fill out one form for each child (but no need to repeat the contact info on the second sheet if all info matches).
Here are some of the details to know:
Who: Any child in K-6th grade. No need to be a member or even attend ZUMC. Please feel free to forward this invite to friends in the community!
When: Rehearsals start in September for our December performance. Rough dates to know:
9/17, Wed, Parents Zoom meeting to find out more and ask questions
9/21, Sun, 11:00-12:00 Sunday rehearsals begin
9/22, Mon, (times TBD) Day 1 of auditions for 3rd-6th graders for speaking parts (come for 15 min)
9/23, Tues, (times TBD) Day 2 of auditions for 3rd-6th graders for speaking parts (come for 15 min)
Note: Kids only need to attend one 15 minute time block. You choose the best day and time. Registration to follow soon.9/24, Wed, 6:00-7:00 Wednesday rehearsals begin for K-6
10/8, Wed, 6:00-7:00 rehearsal for K-6th and begin 7:00-8:00 for speaking parts 4th-6th
12/6, Sat, 9:00-12:00 Tech rehearsal for 3rd-6th speaking parts
12/13, Sat, 9:00-12:00 Dress rehearsal for ALL performers
12/14, Sun, Musical Performance at 9:30 and 11:00 services
Questions: Please use this email: zumcchildrenschoir@gmail.com to connect with Mary Hilton, Lauren Rodenbarger, and Katie Wierich.