Christian Education

One of the greatest priorities at First Congregational UCC is spiritual formation and Christian Education. We are formed, transformed, and reformed by all that we encounter in this faith community. The words we speak in liturgy, the songs we sing, sharing our celebrations and concerns, welcoming our children into worship, the challenging and comforting words we hear from the pulpit, gathering together in friendship after service—these all have the power to shape who we are and how we live in this world.

We are also formed through the small groups in which we participate, beginning (but certainly not ending) with our Sunday school classes. We have classes for all ages, with dedicated teachers who create a welcoming and loving environment. See our Children & Youth page for details about Sunday school and other programs for children. Sunday school begins at 9:15 a.m.

Our vision for Christian Education at First Congregational is one that attends faithfully to the biblical narrative; explores our individual, collective, and denominational identity in Christ; and echoes the biblical call to justice and peace as a people who recognize that we belong to one another. How we educate our children, young people, and adults in these matters—the process of education—plays a vital role in the life of our community. We believe we must be creative educators who act out the stories of our ancestors, solicit the wisdom of the elders among us, and listen to the voices of our children. We must be creative educators who attend to spirit of the artist, the soul of the believer, and the mind of the questioner who exists within all of us. It’s an exciting task, and we invite you to join us!

2008 Adult Sunday School Classes 9:15-10:15am

Two New Adult Sunday School Classes: Feb. 17 – March 30

1. Why We Sing What We Sing —Led by Lea Sageser.
This class will explore the origins and influences of the music of the Christian Church. From Pope Gregory I, Martin Luther, J.S. Bach and Charles Wesley to Mahalia Jackson, Bill Gaither, Amy Grant, John Rutter, and many in between, we will discuss and listen to the music that has shaped how Christians worship today.

2. Listening to God and Talking with Each Other about God — Facilitated by Don Pfister and Terri McFadden.
This class will consider short essays from two anthologies: “What does God Look Like in an Expanding Universe?” (including Thomas Berry, Matt Fox, and Rosemary Radford Ruether) and “The Life of Meaning: Reflections on Faith, Doubt and Repairing the World” (including William Sloane Coffin, Studs Terkel, Dalai Lama, Jimmy Carter and Desmond Tutu). We will also look within through a Quaker practice of silence, listening, and speaking about our experiences of God. Copies of “What Does God Look Like” and copies of essays from “The Life of Meaning” will be available from Don in the Friendship Hall after the service on Sunday Feb 10 and subsequent Sundays. For more information: contact Don at pfisterdon@yahoo.com.