The Gethsemane Lutheran Children’s Ministry (GLCM) is designed to meet the needs of children through an inclusive preschool program that offers a variety of activities and expressions while providing an environment that emphasizes the basic Christian values of love, trust, peace, cooperation, and respect. GLCM is a safe and affirming environment that promotes acceptance of all children and families.

The teachers and staff purpose is to facilitate the children’s growth and development as they move through the classroom levels, and each level has defined educational curriculum assigned. 

Well Rounded Care and Education

At GLCM, we provide supplemental programming with the goal of further enriching the development of the children beyond what’s delivered in the classroom curriculum. Through weekly and seasonal programs, as well as special assemblies and field trips, children are exposed to new and diverse experiences that help build a strong spiritual and cultural foundation.

Weekly Programs

Our weekly enrichment programs incorporate religion, music, physical fitness, and foreign language learning. Each week the children have the opportunity to participate in:

• Chapel: Each Thursday or Friday, the entire preschool gathers in the church narthex to hear a special lesson from the pastor. During this time we’re able to incorporate our weekly Bible curriculum by listening to a relevant Bible story, singing songs, and saying prayers.
• Music with Ms. Dar: Once a week, children from 2 years of age through prekindergarten go to “Music with Dar Joy” where Ms. Dar introduces the children to musical instruments, new songs, and dances. Although children in the infant and toddler rooms don’t have a structured music lesson each week, Ms. Dar travels to these classrooms, playing her guitar and singing songs to and with the children, so they are exposed to music at a young age.
• Spanish: Ms. Lupita teaches español children from 3B through pre-kindergarten Spanish each week with an interactive lesson geared toward basic foreign language development.
• Stretch-N-Grow: Children who are potty-trained and age 3 and above can enroll in this weekly class with Coach Bob McLucas. The program is designed to promote exercise and wellness for preschool children and assists parents and childcare providers in developing good health and fitness habits in young children. There is an additional monthly charge for enrollment in this program.

Seasonal Programs

Every season brings new opportunities to expand the children’s cultural awareness through the celebration of holidays and notable calendar events.

In the fall, each classroom hosts a Halloween party and goes “trick or treating” from room to room. We also come together to partake in a schoolwide potluck Thanksgiving meal to share time with teachers, staff, and families and use the event to teach the children about fellowship and being thankful for life’s blessings.

Winter brings an opportunity to celebrate Christmas and teach the children about the meaning of the season, as well as host our annual Christmas program. We also participate in several projects aimed at giving back to our community and providing for those who are less fortunate.

In the spring, we celebrate Valentine’s Day, Easter, the Week of the Young Child, and educate the children about good dental hygiene during National Children’s Dental Health Month (February).

Our summer programming is filled with outdoor activities, Splash Days, a Fourth of July bike parade, and Vacation Bible School.

Special Assemblies

Throughout the year, a variety of guest speakers and visitors are brought into the school to increase children’s exposure to the wonderful resources in our community. We enjoy hosting visitors from the Austin Humane Society, the Austin Fire Department, and other community-based resources, as well as fun-filled adventures with Safari Greg from the Austin Zoo and the Mad Science team.