Children are a vital part of the church today. They are not the next generation, they are part of our faith community now. We need them. They inspire us. At Christ Church we are passionate about creating environments where children and servant leaders can engage with one another and where we give space for the Holy Spirit to move and form these young hearts and minds. Creative teams teach the bible and lead worship, spurring our children to love Jesus wholeheartedly and carry His light into their world. Our Children’s Ministry is a place where kids ages birth-fifth grade receive tangible expressions of God's grace and truth amongst a vibrant, loving and caring community of faith.
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Christ Church Family Retreat
January 25-26 | Great Wolf Lodge | Gurnee
Saturday & Sunday, January 25-26 | Welcome Session: Saturday, 11:00 a.m. | Great Wolf Lodge, Gurnee
Here at Christ Church we believe in the transformative power of "Time, Talk and Tribe" in family faith development.
Time:This retreat is aimed to provide families with an opportunity to break their busy cycle to come together and have fun. During the weekend families will splash together at the water park, play together in the arcade and share meals together at the many phenomenal restaurants.
Talk:Throughout the weekend families will come together during our worship sessions to have important faith conversations and collaborative spiritual activities.
Tribe: During the weekend you will be surrounded with other families that are passionate about their relationship with Jesus and striving to raise their families in faith.
Join us for this awesome weekend getaway as we launch our first ever family retreat!
Family Retreat Program Fee - $99
Covers the cost of our facility use, session/craft supplies, and family content. This does not reserve/include a room at Great Wolf lodge.
NOTE:Immediately after registering online here families must contact: Great Wolf Lodge Group Services (1-844-485-9653) to reserve a room in the Christ Church Family Retreat room block. We have negotiated a special fee ($159 + tax) for “Wolf Den Suites” (typically $350 for this weekend) for use by our families. Mention “Christ Church Family Retreat” or Block Code 2001CHRI to receive the discounted rate.
No childcare will be provided at the Family Retreat.
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Family Nights | Oak Brook
Parents birth - 5th grade: 2nd Saturdays of the month
Parents 6th-12th grade: 4th Wednesdays of the month
Family Nights!
Join our community of parents! Both Family Nights groups gather each month for interactive teaching, engaging conversations, and encouragement in faith formation and community.
Parents of Birth - 5th Grade | 2nd Saturdays of the month | 5:00–6:30 p.m. | Oak Brook
October 12, November 9, December 14, January 11, February 8, March 14, April 11 and May 9
(5:00-6:00 p.m., Parents and children have programming; 6:00-6:30 p.m., families share a meal together.)
On second Saturdays, Childcare is available for birth - 3 years-old. Children ages 4 to 11 go to KidZone for worship in the Discovery Center.
Parents of 6th - 12th Grade | 4th Wednesdays of the month | 6:30–8:30 p.m. | Oak Brook
October 23, November 20, No meeting in December, January 22, February 19, March 18 and April 22
(6:30-7:00 p.m., Families share a meal; 7:00-8:30 p.m., middle schoolers attend COW and Parents have programming.)
On fourth Wednesdays, Childcare is available for birth - 4 years old. Middle school children meet for COW group programming from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Weekly rehearsals begin Sunday, September 8 and run through December 22 and again from January 12 - April 26. Periodically present music in Sunday morning worship services, as well as Thanksgiving Day, Spirit Village, Messiah-CarolFest Concerts, Christmas Eve, and Palm Sunday; they will present a full musical in the spring. Detailed calendar will be provided.
Acorn Choirs
Children age 4 through 1st grade. Rehearses Sunday mornings from 8:45-9:15 in room 140. Note: Parents of 4 year olds are required to stay with their child at least through October to be sure they are ready for this experience.
Kids of the Kingdom Choir
Children in grades 2-6. Rehearses Sunday mornings from 10:15-11:00 in room 140. All Children's Choir participants will be escorted from their respective rehearsal to WonderZone, KidZone and COW for the remainder of each Worship hour. Parents may pick them up from those areas after service.
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Special Needs Ministry
SERVING CHILDREN WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS
We believe in God's value for every human life, and we believe that Jesus loves every child dearly. Our Early Childhood and Children's Ministries are committed to helping provide a safe, welcoming environment where we can focus on loving Jesus with our heart, mind and soul.
Our desire is to:
Encourage each child to enjoy worshipping Jesus.
Come alongside parents to encourage their spiritual nourishment.
Secure a volunteer buddy to be with your child if needed.
If you have a child with additional needs and would like to connect with us, please contact:
Children enjoy playtime and activities in the Children's Discovery Center, an indoor playground built just for kids. It houses the Oak Tree Climber, a playhouse perfectly sized for children, a puppet theater, and plenty of floor space with obstacles for open play. The center is also used for Sunday morning children's worship, Preschool play, Early Childhood programs, special events, and open play time.
Open play is available for infants-5th graders only, when they are supervised by a parent or caregiver, who must remain present at all times.
Open play hours are as follows:
Monday - Thursday from 2:00 - 4:30 PM
CLOSED: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
DISCOVERY CENTER POLICIES
Please no climbing on the outside of the Climber and the Clubhouse.
Please sign-in your child(ren) before playing.
Food and drinks are allowed ONLY in the tiled-floor rooms.
Please keep our play area clean and return any equipment back to its proper place.
Children MUST be supervised by an adult caregiver at all times.
Please help your child be safe and kind to others while playing.
Restrooms are in the yellow-tiled room.
Diaper-changing station is in the restroom.
Garbage receptacles are located throughout the play area for your use.
Christ Church of Oak Brook is not responsible for any injuries or the security of your personal property.
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Vacation Bible School
June 22 - 26, 2020 | Oak Brook
Vacation Bible School: Mark your calendars
4 Years Old - Incoming 5th Grade - 9:00 am - 12:30 Noon
Bring a friend along this summer as children explore God’s love for each one of us. Please save the date to join us this summer.
Our registration will open in eary 2020!
Serve at Vacation Bible School!
Make a lasting impact on our youth who attend VBS. We need over one hundred committed volunteers to make this week safe and memorable. There are many small and large-scale opportunities to make a diference. Register to volunteer at this year's VBS by clicking the button below.
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Rock 'N Canoe
July 19-22, 2020 | Baraboo, WI
Incoming 4th & 5th Graders - Mark your calendars
Join in on an exciting adventure at Rock ‘N Canoe Summer Camp! Bring a friend! This is a great chance for the kids to be away on their own, meet new friends, build stronger relationships, and try new experiences like rock climbing and canoeing! Above all, they will have the chance to develop the most life-impacting, valuable relationship of all – a friendship with Jesus!
Registration coming in early 2020 for our next Rock 'N Canoe trip in July.
