Binkley wants to maximize family participation in Sunday morning activities. We strive to provide a nursery where parents feel confident about their children’s care. Part of Binkley’s dedication to new infants and their families includes a congregational commitment to nursery care. Every member of the congregation (except those who have asked not to participate) rotate as volunteers during the worship hour. The church also employs two caregivers to ensure continuity and smooth operation of the nursery. Several members of the congregation serve as nursery greeters between Sunday School and Worship. The nursery is open from 9:30 am to the close of Worship.

  

Click here for a detailed brochure about Binkley's 2010 Winter Spring Church School classes!
 

Children in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade rotate this worship leadership opportunity. At the beginning of worship, teams of two children work with an adult to bear symbols of God’s presence among us in Light and in Word.  In addition, older children and youth occasionally serve as banner bearers during processional hymns.

Worship With Children
Each Sunday, we gather to be renewed for faithful living in the world (10 am in the summer; 11 am in teh school year).  This year, we are excited to welcome our new minister, Peter Carman.  We're working to increase inclusing of children in worship and to celebrate the many ways children already participate in Binkley worship: 

- Serving as acolytes during the school year
- Singin in worship
- Leading as liturgists
- Presenting bibles to second-graders each year
- Blessing and dedicating infants and children
- Participating in worship with adult support: lt support: (singing hymns, standing and sitting, passing the peace, praying the Lord's Prayer, signing and singing the Doxology, listening, praying, being present!) 

Binkley generally offers a morning Vacation Bible School during the second week of July. The children work on Bible stories, crafts, games, music and having fun! The success of our VBS lies in the capable hands and enthusiastic hearts of our adult teachers and youth assistants. We accept children who are age 4 by August 31 through completed 5^th grade.

When children reach Second Grade, they receive a Good News Bible from the church. This presentation takes place on Launch Sunday (early September) in Worship. This gift from the church affirms the growing faith of the child, the child’s ability to ask questions and engage scripture, and the importance of the community to educate and to nurture.

Since 1965, early childhood education has taken place in the Binkley Church facilities as a community mission. Binkley Church provides free use of the church classrooms and other church facilities to Binkley Preschool. In exchange for this arrangement, the Preschool agrees to offer a limited number of scholarships for children who could not otherwise have a preschool experience. Please visit the Preschool website for more information: www.binkleypreschool.org

 

______________________________________________________________________________

 
Daycare
Operation New Life Child Daycare is housed in the education wing of Binkley Baptist Church.  ONL is a separate organization from Binkley Church, and provides day-long care for infants through five-year-olds.  Click here to go to the ONL website to learn more. 
___________________________________________________________
 

Some of the intergenerational traditions Binkley enjoys….
 

Launch Sunday: This annual event takes place the Sunday after Labor Day. On Launch Sunday, we return to the regular programs of the church, following a summer break. There is an opening assembly at 9:30 in the Sanctuary, and Worship returns to its 11:00 meeting time. A potluck lunch follows Worship.  It is a wonderful occasion of reconnecting with one another and rekindling the Spirit of learning and growth!
 

Christmas Crafts and Caroling: On a Sunday afternoon each December, Binkley starts off the Christmas season right! People of all ages spend time making crafts to keep and to share, followed by caroling to homebound members and nursing home residents. 

 

Christmas: In December, the children lead in worship by reenacting the nativity of Christ. Prior to Christmas, the last Church School meeting of the year is an intergenerational gathering to welcome the Christ Child. On Christmas Eve, a family-focused worship service is offered in addition to the service of lessons and carols.

Lent and Easter: This season of the year provides more opportunities for the church community to gather. We joyfully gather for Shrove Tuesday Pancakes and Talent Show. The next day, a family-focused worship service is offered in addition to the Ash Wednesday evening service. During Holy Week, Binkley sponsors with area congregations a Labyrinth in our sanctuary. People of all ages come to walk, watch and pray. In place of church school, we joyfully resurrect the Alleluias during a scrumptious Easter Breakfast. 

 
Church-wide Picnics and Retreats: In May, at the conclusion of the Christian Education year at Binkley, we celebrate our teaching and learning with a picnic at a local park. Also, about every two years, a church-wide retreat is held over a weekend at a conference or retreat setting.