OUR MISSION: Guide and Grow kids to a “deeply-rooted” personal faith in Jesus. Teach them his ways. Empower them to serve the local and global community.
WHO CAN I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS?:
Page Timmerman, Director of Children & Families, can be reached at page@birminghamumc.org.
Sunday mornings are the heart of our children’s ministry at BUMC! From nursery care for the littlest ones to interactive Sunday School classes for Preschool through 5th grade, the Treehouse is where kids grow in faith, build friendships, and discover the love of Jesus in age-appropriate and joy-filled ways. Whether it’s worship, Bible stories, music, or hands-on activities, Sunday is the best day of the week to be a kid at Birmingham UMC!
In everything we do, our Treehouse Sunday School has four simple goals:
Read a Bible story, pray together, have fun, and offer every child a safe and loving place to belong.
These values guide every lesson, every snack, and every smile on Sunday morning.
If you’re the parent of a child 2 years old or younger, we invite you to check them in downstairs in the Education Building (the Treehouse area!). Nursery care is available during both worship and Sunday School hours, where your little one will be cared for by our dedicated staff and some of the most loving, committed volunteers around. We’re honored to care for your child in a safe, nurturing environment where they can begin to experience God’s love, even in the tiniest of ways.
We encourage all our preschool and elementary-aged children to begin in the Sanctuary with their families. Before the service starts, please check in your child(ren) at the stations in the Narthex, then head in to find your seat.
Following the Children’s Moment, kids will be invited to leave with their teachers and head to The Treehouse in the lower level of the Education Building. There, they’ll explore the day’s Bible lesson, do some crafts & games, and be offered a light snack.
Please plan to pick up your child promptly after worship, unless staying for the second hour activities.
Children’s Choir meets Sundays from 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM, led by Jennifer Marietta. This joyful time of music and movement helps children lift their voices in praise while building confidence and community.
New this year: we’re introducing a focus on modern worship music. This will give kids the opportunity to engage with the songs they hear in worship in a fun, age-appropriate way!
The Treehouse is nestled just downstairs in the Education Building, right where all the fun and faith come to life! While it may not be in an actual tree, it’s full of wonder, color, and kids growing in God’s love.
If you’re not sure where to go, just look for a friendly face in the Sanctuary (they’re everywhere!) and ask; they’ll be happy to guide you to the right spot.
Safety is a top priority in The Treehouse, and we’ve got systems in place to help give you peace of mind!
When you arrive, please use one of the computer check-in stations located in the Narthex or the Treehouse Welcome Area to sign in your child. If this is your first time, we will ask you to complete a short info sheet on your family so we can add them to the system. You’ll receive a printed name tag for your child and a matching security label for you. Hang onto that label! Our volunteers will need to see it before releasing your child at pickup to make sure every child leaves with the right grown-up.
All of our volunteers are required to pass a background check and complete a safety and child protection training session before serving. We want you to know your children are surrounded by trusted, prepared adults who care deeply about their well-being.
In addition to check-in, we have safety procedures in place for both weather-related and people-related emergencies. Our volunteers are trained for these situations. Each Sunday, we also have a uniformed police officer on campus and a team of plainclothes security personnel to help maintain a safe and secure environment.
We’re here to create a space where kids can grow in faith, and where parents can relax knowing they’re in good hands.
We love having little ones in worship, and you are absolutely welcome to keep your newborn with you during the service! We know babies sometimes have their own plans, so if you need a quiet moment to rock, feed, or soothe your child, we’ve got you covered.
There is a Cry Room located just off the Narthex. You can see and hear the service from inside, so you won’t miss a thing while taking a few minutes to collect yourself and care for your baby.
We want you to feel comfortable and supported, no matter what stage of parenting you’re in (squishy newborns included)!
Great choice! While your child is lifting their voice in joyful praise, you’ve got a few wonderful options:
You’re invited to check out Birmingham Believers, an adult Sunday School class that meets right in the Treehouse area during Children’s Choir. This group dives into studies on marriage, parenting, Scripture, and more, and they’re always happy to welcome new faces. (Seriously, they’re some of the friendliest people around.) link to SS page
Or maybe what you need is just a few quiet minutes to yourself. We get it. Grab a cup of coffee from the coffee cart in the Cloister, kick back in one of the rockers, and take a breath. No pressure, no judgment. We’re just really glad you’re here.
At Birmingham UMC, we believe in grace, God’s love reaching out to us before we even know it’s there. That’s what we call prevenient grace, and it’s one of the reasons we joyfully baptize people of all ages, including babies!
There’s no age requirement for your child to be baptized, and many families choose to baptize their infants as a sign of God’s claim on their life from the very beginning. In the United Methodist Church, parents must be members of BUMC before scheduling a baptism. If you’re not yet a member, don’t worry, that’s your first step. We’re happy to walk alongside you. You can fill out our membership form here, and if you have questions, our church office can connect you with someone who can guide you through the process.
Not baptized yourself? We’ve got you covered! Adults seeking baptism are always welcome and encouraged. Just let us know on the membership form, and we’ll make sure to follow up.
And yes, we’re typically sprinklers, not dunkers (unless we’re at the pool party). It’s not about how much water we use, but about the deep theological truth that baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace, and a celebration of God’s love that is already at work in your life. But hey, if you’ve always dreamed of a good old-fashioned dunking, let us know. We’re happy to work with you.
The Treehouse is growing—and we need YOU!
Whether you’re great at leading games, telling stories, handing out snacks, or simply showing up with a smile, there’s a place for you in our children’s ministry. Volunteering just a little of your time helps plant big seeds of faith in little hearts. Training and support are provided.
Open to 3rd, 4th & 5th Graders!
Acolytes help lead worship by bringing the light of Christ into the Sanctuary, which symbolizes how God’s light goes before us and with us. It’s a meaningful way to grow in faith, serve the church, and be part of something bigger. We’ll show you everything you need to know, no experience required!
Want to know what’s happening in The Treehouse?
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VBS! SAVE THE DATES!
Registration will open in early March. VBS is a half-day program at Birmingham UMC for rising 4-year-olds to rising sixth graders. Middle school and high schoolers are encouraged to be teen helpers.