Children & Youth

Mayflower welcomes each child who enters our doors. We offer educational opportunities for children and youth ages three years through grade 12. Please register your children (birth through grade 8) for Sunday School at the blue information desk in the education wing. Youth grades 9–12 take part in Youth Group during the education hour (9:45–10:45 a.m. on Sundays).

This Week At Mayflower
This week at Mayflower, our Children and families have a couple of fun and interesting events to look forward to:

February 11 (Saturday)
F.A.M.I.L.I.E.S. event – 6:30 – 9:30 Dinner at BUCA. Details to follow! Childcare provided by Venture Crew. Please contact Trish Perry at 612-823-3483 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to R.S.V.P. Please join us - it will be an evening of great fun!

February Christian Education Notes
February news and events for children from Rachel Williams, Acting Director of Children and Youth Ministries. These can also be found in the February Ship to Shore newsletter.

Children In Worship
Children are encouraged to attend worship services and to participate in communion. Rainbow bags for younger children and journals for older elementary-age children are provided at the back of the sanctuary. Worship services can be heard in the narthex if parents need to step out with restless children.

Sunday School
Sunday Church School is held on Sunday mornings during the school year from 9:45-10:45 a.m. for ages 3 to grade 12 at the 9:45 a.m. Sunday education hour. Adult volunteers, who are supported by professional staff, teach the grade-level classrooms. More info.

Sunday Morning Child Care
Child care is available on Sunday mornings for infants through age 5, from 8:30 a.m.—noon. Each month in Mayflower’s child care rooms children are introduced to a simple faith theme, faith word of the month, and simple craft and activity stations. Maria Groos is our childcare coordinator. She is assisted by nannies and adult and teen volunteers.

Youth Group
High school students meet Sunday mornings from 9:45–10:45 a.m. for fellowship, study and discussion. More info here.

Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education For K–Grade 1
In January and February we explore the Our Whole Lives curriculum (for children and parents), beginning with the “3 Rs” of childhood sexuality education: respect, relationships, responsibility. During this eight-week course, we will consider health and safety, love and family, puberty and growing up, sex and gender, communication and decision-making. Class will meet during first (8:30 a.m.) and second services (10:45 a.m.–noon). There will be no class on Presidents' Weekend, Feb. 19. Space is limited so please register by contacting This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 612-226-9395, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 612-722-4029. Questions can be addressed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 612-824-0762 x120.

Confirmation
In 9th grade, youth have the opportunity to explore the Christian faith and to ask spiritual questions as part of the confirmation program. More info.

F.A.M.I.L.I.E.S.
Mayflower’s F.A.M.I.L.I.E.S. community group is where Parents with Young Children and Parents with Teens and Tweens come together to celebrate and share all that is families with kids. We are a supportive group founded on the basic tenets of Community and Caring....It takes a village to raise children and we are a village!

Parents with Young Children: A community group for parents with children age birth to 9ish.
Parents with Teens and Tweens: A community group for parents with kids age 10ish-18ish.

Social events are offered each month on the second Saturday. These events are planned to alternate between those which include parents and children and those which are planned for parents only. Expert speakers on a variety of issues, from sexuality to learning styles to alcohol and drug-use prevention, are offered periodically throughout the year. Mayflower also has a FAMILIES Resource Room (Room 104) with books and materials on parenting, visit with other parents and have a cup of coffee!

Mayflower Early Childhood Center
The Mayflower Early Childhood Center (MECC) offers year-round programs, Montessori activities, as well as part-, full- and extended-day programs. MECC is a mission of Mayflower, with a non-religious curriculum, and is located in the education wing of the Church near Diamond Lake Road and I-35W. For more information, visit MECC's website at mayflowerchildren.org.

Friday Morning Out
This cooperative child care program for infants, toddlers, and pre-K children is offered Friday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to noon. It was established 35 years ago to give parents of preschool-age children some time to themselves and to give the children an opportunity to play with other children and learn to separate confidently from their parents.

Friday Morning Out is located in the education wing of Mayflower Church. Each room is staffed by a childcare provider employed by the program. While the program is not a preschool, crafts, stories, songs and games are provided for 2- to 5-year-olds. Weekly fees are $12 per child. For more information, (612) 824-0762 x156 or email Debbie Keyes at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Download full details for the 2011-12 year by clicking here. Download the 2011-12 registration form by clicking here.

Scouting
Boy Scout Troop 187 and Cub Pack 187 are among the oldest and strongest Scout programs in the Viking Council. More info.