FAMILY
Combining the light of the church with the love of the home to make a spiritual difference in our families.
VISION
Southridge Family Ministry exists for three reasons:
- to partner with parents;
- to spiritually develop children from 0-18; and
- to invite children and youth into a lifestyle of full devotion in age-appropriate ways.
This includes:
-
- a vibrant spirituality,
- experienced in community,
- where kids are making a difference.
We believe in a partnership between the church and the home to make the greatest spiritual impact in the lives of our kids.That’s why we are committed to partnering with parents by equipping them to be the primary spiritual leaders in their home. We do this through Life Groups, weekly handouts, parent dedications, marriage enrichment, Sunday messages, and resource suggestions. Contact Carrie Jones (cjones@southridgechurch.ca) for more information.
We use the Orange curriculum in our programs, and recommend that parents download the ParentCue app, which is published by Orange. It provides weekly updates and resources related to what children learn in church on Sunday mornings.
We also recognize the importance of having other adults, in addition to parents, involved in a child’s life. For this reason, small group leaders facilitate and nurture healthy relationships with our children.
We take our role seriously when you invite us to be a part of your family and so we’ve created a spiritual development plan for your child from 0-18. This plan focuses on the big ideas that are most vital to your child’s spiritual growth and formation.
SAFETY
All of our staff and volunteers are screened through an application process, reference checks, police and vulnerable sector checks, and mandatory participation in a Plan to Protect (abuse prevention, health and safety) workshop. Police checks are renewed every five years and our Plan to Protect is reviewed annually.
REGISTRATION
First-time registration and weekly check-in happens for all of our programs. For children in grade 3 and younger, parents receive 2 matching alphanumeric receipts, which must be presented to pick up the child after the service.
SPECIAL NEEDS / INCLUSIVITY
Our Special Needs Ministry is a growing part of our Family Ministry that intends to reach children and families with special needs to show them that they belong and can fully-participate in the church. We want children with special needs to not only take part in our existing programs, but find true belonging, and experience friendships that make a difference.
We offer supports within our programs to equip our leaders to best support children with special needs. Our Family Ministry leaders have received Inclusivity Training and we have dedicated supports, such as: Quiet Areas, Movement Areas, and Sensory Bins. We are working toward making all of our facilities totally physically accessible. Our Family Ministry Support Leaders have a heart and passion for those with special needs and work one-on-one with children on Sunday mornings. One-on-one support is currently available in St. Catharines and Vineland.
For families who are interested in learning more about how Southridge has a place for their family, please email Tamara Moes (tmoes@southridgechurch.ca). Families with children who have special needs are encouraged to complete an All About Me sheet, so that our leaders are prepared to best support your children!
LITTLE LIGHTS
Safe and child-friendly environments available during all of our Sunday morning services.
Safe and child-friendly environments for babies, toddlers, and young children are available during all of our Sunday morning services.
Our nursery provides loving care for infants, babies, and toddlers up to about age 2.5 The nursery has safe play areas with lots of toys, rocking chairs, change tables, and a nearby washroom.
The nursery is staffed with screened volunteers and equipped with a paging system. Once your child is checked in, you will receive a pager. If the pager vibrates, please return to the nursery.
For preschool children aged 2.5 to Junior Kindergarten, we offer a fun program that introduces them to the God of the Bible through age-appropriate activities, such as stories, singing, crafts, and activity-based learning.
Click here to view our developmental plan for your children during their time in Little Lights.
We provide take-home resources to equip you as the primary spiritual influence in the life of your child. Parents can also stay connected through the SouthridgeChurchFamilies Facebook and Instagram accounts.
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Large and small group experiences to encourage and invest in your child available during all of our Sunday morning services.
Children from Senior Kindergarten to Grade 5 can participate in Movers & Shakers, which consists of large and small group experiences to encourage and invest in your child, available during all of our Sunday morning services.
Our Movers & Shakers students participate in both large group and small group activities in a dedicated space on Sunday mornings. This experience includes relevant Bible teaching, high-energy music for praise and worship, and small group conversations to reinforce learning and build friendships.
We strive to make M&S the high point in every kid’s week.
Click here to view our developmental plan for your children during their time in Movers & Shakers.
But Sunday morning is just the tip of the iceberg for a child’s spiritual development, and so we partner with parents and families to encourage conversations about Jesus throughout the week. Each Sunday we provide take-home resources to equip you as the primary spiritual influence in the life of your child.
Parents can also stay connected through the SouthridgeChurchFamilies Facebook and Instagram accounts.
THE R!OT
Large and small group experiences on Sundays and Thursday evenings as well as annual retreats and service projects.
The R!OT is a community of friends for students in Grades 6-8. We meet every Sunday morning for large and small group experienes during the services and every other Thursday (7-9 pm) for midweek programs. See below for location-specific times.
Our goal is to create a fun, inviting and warm atmosphere for our Junior Youth to learn about God, be mentored via our caring volunteers, and be challenged as they wrestle through scripture, themes, and stories in small groups.
Click here to view our developmental plan for your children during their time in R!OT.
Parents and students can stay connected via the Southridge events page and the SouthridgeChurchFamilies Facebook or Instagram accounts for updates.
THE CURRENT
Large and small group experiences during the week as well as annual retreats and mission trips.
Our CURRENT ministry functions in such a way that students and leaders are encouraged to live their lives together in relationship and discover what it looks like to be the church. We offer large and small group experiences during the week, as well as annual retreats and special events.
Our goal at the CURRENT is to provide high school students the opportunity to build relationships and grow in what it looks like to live fully devoted to Jesus. The teenage years are pivotal in defining who we are and who we are becoming, and so we aim to make a significant spiritual investment during this critical stage of life.
The CURRENT is built on 3 pillars; Inspiration, Action, and Connection. We want our youth to experience vibrant spirituality, and to make a difference, in community.
Once a month, the CURRENT has a Large Group event where students from all three locations come together to be spiritually challenged and grow in their faith. Three weeks each month, students meet in Small Groups, which are guided by our leaders. It’s in these smaller settings, where students and leaders can connect one-on-one, that students are challenged to grow, are supported in where they are at in their own lives and journeys, and have the opportunity to serve the community.
Click here to view our four-year spiritual development curriculum.
For parents and students to stay in the loop, please check out our events page for updates and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
ST. CATHARINES LOCATION
Little Lights (age 0-JK)
Takes place during service – 10:00am every week.
Movers & Shakers (SK – Grade 5)
Takes place during service – 10:00am every week.
R!OT Sundays (Grades 6-8)
Meets during the 10:00am service every week on Sunday mornings.
R!OT Midweek Events
Meets every other Thursday from 7:00-9:00pm at one of our locations, with R!OT students from all three locations. Click the button to get more information on upcoming R!OT events.
CURRENT Small Groups (Grades 9-12)
Meet three times each month, guided by our CURRENT leaders. To connect in a group, get in touch with Keith.
CURRENT Events
Meets monthly for Large Group Events from 7:00 to 9:00pm at one of our locations. Meets seasonally for special events and retreats.. Click the button to get more information on upcoming CURRENT events.
Karley Wall
Youth Pastor
Contact Karley Wall
VINELAND LOCATION
Little Lights (age 0-JK)
Takes place during service – 10:00 am every week.
Movers & Shakers (SK – Grade 5)
Takes place during service -10:00 am every week.
R!OT Sundays (Grades 6-8)
Meets during the 10:00am service every week on Sunday mornings.
R!OT Midweek Events
Meets every other Thursday from 7:00-9:00pm at tone of our locations, with R!OT students from all three locations. Click the button to get more information on upcoming R!OT events.
CURRENT Life Groups (Grades 9-12)
Meet three times each month, guided by our CURRENT leaders. To connect in a group, get in touch with Carrie.
CURRENT Events
Meets monthly for Large Group Events from 7:00 to 9:00pm at one of our locations. Meets seasonally for special events and retreats. Click the button to get more information on upcoming CURRENT events.
Carrie Jones
Family Ministry Pastor
Contact Carrie Jones
WELLAND LOCATION
Little Lights (age 0-JK)
Takes place during the service – 10:00am every week.
Movers & Shakers (SK – Grade 5)
Takes place during the service – 10:00am every week.
R!OT Sundays (Grades 6-8)
Meets during the service every week on Sunday mornings at 10:00am.
R!OT Midweek Events
Meets every other Thursday from 7:00-9:00pm at at one of our locations, with R!OT students from all three locations. Click the button to get more information on upcoming R!OT events.
CURRENT Life Groups (Grades 9-12)
Meet three times each month, guided by our CURRENT leaders. To connect in a group, get in touch with Keith.
CURRENT Events
Meets monthly for Large Group Events from 7:00 to 9:00pm at one of our locations. Meets seasonally for special events and retreats. Click the button to get more information on upcoming CURRENT events.
Jade Bowie
Kids Pastor
