sunday school & nursery care
Sunday School / Faith Formation
Sunday School / Faith Formation
Sunday School / Faith Formation
Our vibrant Sunday school program runs during the school year from September through May. During this time they are taught biblical stories, lessons, and teachings that remind them how loved they are, and how important it is to show that same love to others.
Focusing on the power of love, every child in our congregation is raised to affirm that love is the strongest force in the universe. Led by an incredible staff of Sunday school teachers, our children are exposed to multisensory learning techniques, as they act, draw, craft, sculpt, build, and sing the biblical stories they are taught. From biblical charades to scriptural puppet shows, our Sunday school kids get to do it all!
During the summer months, our children are encouraged to attend worship services and to be an active part in the leadership of the church. From reading the liturgy to scripture lessons, our children learn that they have a voice and are valued leaders in the church, even at their young age. The first Sunday of every month is "Family Sunday" where all children (except birth through 3 yrs.) remain in worship.
Nursery
Sunday School / Faith Formation
Sunday School / Faith Formation
We provide nursery care every Sunday for our kids that are in preschool and under. If you are interested in utilizing our nursery, our qualified caregivers will take care of your children so you can experience a much-needed moment of worship. Our nursery kids and caregivers become the best of friends, reinforcing from a young age that they are beloved members of our congregation.
Confirmation
In the United Church of Christ, confirmation is an affirmation of baptism. Through baptism, we enter the worldwide community of the Christian church. In confirmation, we affirm this. Confirmation is just one step in a person's faith journey. It is a time of exploration and deepening of faith.
Here at First Congregational Church, our 8th graders spend nine months in our confirmation program. They meet monthly with the pastor to learn about the history of the UCC, the traditions of our congregation, and to explore their own theological beliefs. This education time is supplemented with regular field trips to broaden our youth's religious education; we take trips to visit a Catholic service, a Jewish synagogue, a Muslim mosque, other Protestant churches, a local Jewish museum, and more. Our youth also receive support from adult mentors in the congregation as well as youth mentors who have recently completed the confirmation program and joined the church.
The confirmation experience is a delightful opportunity to join together in intentional community, caring for one another in radical ways, holding tension and nuance with gentle care, and embodying the creative and curious Spirit of God in the world.
youth group
As our youth learn about faith and love in a Sunday school setting, we work to expand those horizons in our monthly youth group activities. Open to grades 7 through 12. Our youth group strives to be an positive force of love in our local community.
One month we might focus on a fun activity with the kids (such as a lock-in, bowling, laser tag, and more) while the next month we focus on putting faith into action through volunteering in the community. Learning about the needs in our surrounding area, our kids have helped serve meals to the less fortunate, helped stock shelves at a local food assistance organization, and raised funds for causes they care about. This helps our youth learn about the needs of others outside of our church walls while still having fun!
