Aurelia Wood is Director of Children's Ministries at Monroe FUMC. Aurelia has 30 years experience in the field of Early Childhood Education, Child and Family Development and Christian Education.

She attended Young Harris College, one of our two year Methodist colleges, earning an Associate Degree in Science. Aurelia earned a double degree from the University of Georgia in Family and Consumer Sciences and Education, obtaining degrees in Child and Family Development and Early Childhood Education. While teaching at the University of Georgia McPhaul Center, Aurelia completed a Masters Degree in Child and Family Development.

Aurelia was a stay at home mom while her boys were small, teaching evenings at Athens Technical College. While staying home, Aurelia taught Sunday School and was also coordinator for Children's Ministries for the Athens Elberton District of the United Methodist Church.

Aurelia has had a varied career working with children and families. She was a long time volunteer for the Georgia 4H program and later was employed as a county 4H program assistant. Her boys were both active 4H'ers going to state and national competitions. When Sandy Creek Nature Center in Athens-Clarke County expanded its facilities and programs Aurelia became a board member and also a summer camp leader and naturalist.

While a member of Tuckston United Methodist Church, Aurelia became the first coordinator of Children's Ministries there and held that position for five years, in addition to teaching a preK class in the Tuckston Preschool. Aurelia came to Monroe in July 2005 to assume the position of full time Director of Children's Ministries.

Aurelia and her husband, Jim met at Young Harris College and have been married for 32 years. They have two sons, Mike, 28, who lives, works and goes to school in Blowing Rock, North Carolina and Charley, 25, who lives, works and goes to school in Tifton, Georgia.

The Children's Ministry at Monroe FUMC is thoughtfully and prayerfully planned by a Children's Ministry Team, a diverse group of church members. We are committed to bringing each child into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ while having a GREAT time,. We want all children to know that church and Sunday School are places to feel safe and secure, places to build biblical knowledge and places to have a fun time of building memories of church family and fellowship.