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The children’s programs at Pullen are designed to offer opportunities for children to experience and learn about God.

Complete the  Kid’s Ministry Information Form  to help us better serve your family.

Stay connected with Pullen Kids through Pastor Tommy’s weekly emails. They are full of info and activities for your children grades K-5, as well as weekly Zoom links.

Interested in helping? Click the link below to sign up!

Contact:  Tommy Cook, Minister with Children and Families
919.828.0897, x212 | tcook@pullen.org

Children do not need to be taught how to “know” God; they are naturally intuitive about their relationship with God. Our mission at Pullen is to foster an understanding of that relationship and offer ways to explore and deepen that relationship.

The children’s programs at Pullen are designed to offer opportunities for children to experience and learn about God. The curriculum for Sunday Groups incorporates stories from the Bible and contemporary sources that focus on people’s relationships with God. In Children’s Worship, children are offered the opportunity to “come close to God” in a worship setting (with a few tweaks that accommodate more wiggles and giggles). In our Wednesday night programs, children learn ways that they can be leaders in the church through the music ministry and through participation in church mission projects. They even learn how they can impact their community and the world and how that is connected to their relationship with God.

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Pullen Kids Sunday Groups

Pullen Kids Sunday Groups

September 14–November 9 (except November 2)

9:30–10:40 am in Rooms 122–124

This fall, children in grades K–5 will experience a vibrant Sunday morning ministry through Pullen Kids Sunday Groups. Grades 4–5 enrolled in Our Whole Lives (OWL) will attend a nationally-recognized sexuality education series led by trained facilitators. The OWL curriculum includes: Sunday sessions (September 14, 21, 28; October 26; November 9); an overnight at Pullen, and a fall retreat. OWL begins with a required parent/child orientation on September 6. 

Children not participating in OWL will join the Why Church? series, exploring what it means to be part of the church through storytelling, games, crafts, and surprises.

On four special Music Sundays (Oct. 12, 19; November 16, 23), Grades 3–5 will join the Children’s Choir — preparing music for worship and a collaboration with the Oak Choir on December 7. Grades K–2 will attend Music Friends, a joyful, age-appropriate introduction to music and movement.

-Tommy Cook, Minister with Children and Their Families

Kids Quest 2025

Kids Quest

Wednesdays

6:15–7:30 pm

Kids Quest begins the weekly fall schedule on September 3. Pullen children can enjoy fun-filled activities on Wednesday nights! For preschoolers, there’s free play in Room 120. For older children—free play and story time in Room 125, craft time in Room 122, and game time in Room 116 and on the playground.

 Kids Quest meets each Wednesday, September–December 2025 (excluding October 29; November 26; December 17, 24 and 31). 

-Tommy Cook, Minister with Children and Their Families

Pullen PALs Summer Storytime

Pullen PALs Summer Storytime

Wednesdays

10:30–11:30 am, RSVP to Shelby Forrest for Location

Parents of babies and toddlers are invited to join us on Wednesdays for Pullen PALs Summer Storytime! We will have a story and songs, followed by free play. All are welcome to join this community event. For information about the meet-up location, contact Shelby Forrest. shelbymforrest@gmail.com

-Tommy Cook

Pullen Kids Our Whole Lives (OWL) Program (Grades 4-5)

Pullen Kids Our Whole Lives (OWL) Program (Grades 4-5)

This fall, the Our Whole Lives (OWL) curriculum will be offered again for children in grades 4-5. OWL is sexuality education covered in 10 workshops. This program is designed to help children gain the knowledge, life principles, and skills needed to express their sexuality in life-enhancing ways. Lynn Jarrard, Shane Barham, and Tommy Cook are trained facilitators who will lead this journey for our families, as part of the Pullen Kids Sunday Group curriculum.

Activity Schedule

  • September 6 (9:30 am–noon, starting in Finlator Hall) — Requiredorientationfor parents/caregivers and children.

  • September 12–13 — Owl Overnighter at Pullen

  • September 21 and 28, October 26, and November 9 (9:30–10:40 am in Rooms 122 and 124) — OWL classes during Kids Sunday Group

  • November 1–2 — Owl Overnight Retreat

If you have not received the information email about OWL, or if you know someone in our community who might want more information, please email Tommy Cook as soon as possible. 

-Tommy Cook, Minister with Children and Their Families

Children’s Worship

Children’s Worship at Pullen

Aug 18

Each Sunday (excluding First Sundays)

11 am–noon in Room 126

During Children's Worship, kids (grades 1–3) can "come close to God" in a setting designed to accommodate more wiggles and giggles. Pullen uses the Godly Play Curriculum, which incorporates the Montessori method of teaching. Parents are welcome to accompany their children.

The regular schedule resumes on September 14.

-Tommy Cook, Minister with Children and Their Families

Preschool Care

Preschool Care

Sundays

9:30 am–noon in Room 117 (infant / toddler); Room 120 (two years and up)

No childcare will be available August 24 and 31; September 7; December 21 and 28.

Note: The fall schedule resumes on September 14.

While adults engage in our impactful Sunday Groups, we provide dedicated childcare for preschoolers. During worship services, preschoolers are lovingly cared for in our nursery. All paid and volunteer staff who care for the children have gone through Pullen’s “Safe Congregation” training and have been background-checked. 

If you are interested in volunteering in the nursery, please contact Tommy Cook.

-Tommy Cook, Minister with Children and Their Families

Pullen PALs (Parents and Littles): Family Dinner

Pullen PALs (Parents and Littles): Family Dinner

August 23

5–7:30 pm at Transfer Co. Food Hall (500 E. Davie St., Raleigh)

Are you the parent, grandparent or guardian of a baby, toddler, or preschooler and want to connect with other parents at Pullen? Join the Pullen PALs for this family dining experience! Siblings and caregivers are also welcome. To learn more, please contact Maggie Zeillmann at 919-757-3658.

-Tommy Cook, Minister with Children and Their Families

Social Activities for Kids and Families

(Throughout the year we have fun activities for families)  

  • Monthly Family Gatherings

  • Children’s Camps

  • Halloween Carnival

  • Children’s Christmas Play

  • Easter Egg Hunt

  • Camp Pullen (Weeklong Summer Day Camp)

  • Cookouts and Parties

Volunteer

Volunteers for Pullen Kids- Making Pullen a Place of Love and Safety

Each time we have a child dedication service we covenant as a community to be a place of love, nurture and faith for children.  It is important that the children in our midst know that they are loved and valued as vital members of our community. How do we do that? We pray. We love. We teach. We build relationships.

As we are coming BACK to our in-person community, we need volunteers for Sundays and Wednesdays starting in September to spend time teaching, learning and playing with our children. There are opportunities with our nursery to our fifth graders.

Not sure you know enough about the Bible? That’s okay. Not sure you have all the answers to kids’ questions? Good! We all struggle with our theological beliefs.  SS Teachers are not expected to know everything about God or the Bible.  You are invited to be a partner in learning with the children. Kids don’t mind if you don’t know where a book is in the Bible or if you get Elijah confused with Elisha (who doesn’t). And children can have fresh, new perspectives that will give you lots to ponder.

Never worked with kids before? That's okay, no teaching experience is needed.  Volunteers work in teams; curriculum is provided.  We will provide the necessary training when all volunteers go through Pullen’s “Safe Congregation” orientation to be scheduled.  

Check out the list below to find a place to volunteer. Then, contact Tommy Cook at 828-0897, ext.2, or tcook@pullen.org to get more information. 

Job Descriptions for Children’s Ministry

Sunday Morning Family Greeters 

  • September through May commitment

  • Check in Pullen families, and gather important information from visitors

  • Sundays, 9:15 – 10:30 AM

  • Assist workers and provide an extra layer of safety for our children

  • Four or Five volunteers are needed to serve once a month

Infant Care (ON CALL AS NEEDED)

  • September through May commitment

  • Sundays, 9:15-10:30 AM and/or 10:30- Noon

  • Be available when members or visitors need care for babies (pre-toddlers)

Toddler Sunday School Teacher

  • September through May commitment

  • Sundays, 9:15-10:30 AM

  • Work with paid children’s caregivers

  • Primary goal is to build relationships and offer consistency to children

  • Each week, one volunteer leads a lesson while paid children’s caregivers assist with the activities (lesson plans are provided). No formal teaching or theological training is needed. Come experience the stories anew with the children

Preschool Sunday School Teacher

Twos, Threes and Fours class

  • September through May commitment

  • Sundays, 9:15-10:30 AM

  • Work with paid children’s caregivers

  • Primary goal is to build relationships and offer consistency to children