We love kids

at First Congregational UCC

 

Children and youth are one of our greatest priorities at First Congregational. They are welcomed into active participation in worship, and we have a variety of other opportunities created just for them. Here’s what you need to know.

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL

We have Sunday school for all ages, September - May. Nursery care is available starting at 9:00 on Sunday mornings. You are welcome to drop off your child in the Nursery (it is located in the top floor of the education building right beside the stairs) with one of our paid workers or to keep your child with you.
The Sunday school hour runs from 9:15 – 10:15am. 

Children who are in 3^rd grade or younger need to be picked up by a parent. Please pick your child(ren) up promptly so our teachers can clean up and everyone can get to worship on time.

    

WORSHIP

Worship boxes for children in preschool – 3^rd grade are available in the narthex, just inside the main door to the Sanctuary building. These boxes—which contain children’s bulletins, pencils, crayons, and other activities for kids—can be picked up on your way into worship. We value children’s presence and participation in worship. During worship, all children are invited to the front of the sanctuary for what we call "Time with Children." Many children choose to bring their offering at this time. After the Time with Children, children in kindergarten and under go to the preschool room for Extended Session. They sing together, make crafts, and play games indoors or outside (depending on the weather).

First grade is considered a transitional year because all first graders are not ready to sit in worship for the entire service. We encourage parents to make the decision whether to keep their first grader in worship or send her/him to Extended Session; we ask only that the child remain in worship once a month so she/he can begin making that transition toward staying in worship every week. Please pick your children up promptly after worship, the paid workers need to start cleaning up the rooms by 11:45. Parents (and other adults) are asked to volunteer in Extended Session to help us limit the number of paid workers.

Once a month, typically the second or third Sunday of the month, we have a special Extended Session for 1^st– 3^rd graders. This is a time for children to be out of worship and enjoy crafts, games and learning about our community. Catherine Gibson and Kristi Schleder will facilitate this group, which meets in the library.
Please pick your child up promptly after worship and take them to Friendship time in the Friendship Hall.

 

ADVENTURERS

The Adventures group is for children in 2nd-5th grade and is currently led by Tadd Clarkson, Cindy Sturdivant, and Marie Warlick. This group meets once a month (usually Sunday afternoons) to build friendships, learn about justice, and serving our community.

 

YOUTH GROUP

We have two youth groups, one for middle school youth and one for high school youth that meet for activities, fun, and service. The high school youth group (TGIS) meet on the first and third Sunday evenings of the month. This group is led by Pam Clarkson, Dianne Harper, and Michael Hester.
The Middle School youth meet once a month and are led by Julie Cummins and Seth Hendler-Voss.

 

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Annually, we offer three Special Programs for children and youth. The first is the Christmas Pageant, which will be led this year by our Minister of Music, Gary Mitchell. The second is the Our Whole Lives faith and sexuality class, which is offered on a rotating basis to Kindergarten-1st graders, 5th-6th graders, and 7th-9th graders. In January we will offer the OWL class for our 5th-6th graders. The class is a total of 8 classroom hours and will run for two consecutive weekends. OWL provides a comprehensive sexuality education that incorporates faith, engages children/youth in a group setting, and assists them in clarifying values. It offers accurate, age appropriate information about human sexuality and prepares kids for the normal and unique changes they experience as they grow and develop. Our third Special Program is Vacation Bible School which has been offered in August for the last two years. Our High School youth lead VBS for children of all ages and Middle School youth.

 

If you have any questions or comments about our programs for children and youth, feel free to talk to any of the following people:

 

Minister of Christian Education                                Rev. Amanda Hendler - Voss

Pastor                                                           Rev. Joe Hoffman

Christian Education Committee Co-Chairs                     Catherine Gibson & Katherine Daven

Children’s Sunday School Coordinator                          Linda Burke

Special Programs Coordinator                                  Beth Magill

Adventures Leaders                                            Tadd Clarkson, Cindy Sturdivant, Marie Warlick

Middle School Youth Leaders                                  Julie Cummins and Seth Hendler-Voss

High School Youth Leaders                                     Pam Clarkson, Dianne Harper, Michael Hester

Childcare Workers                                             Kesi Stoneking and Melissa Wardwell

          the nursery and preschool room are located on the top floor of the Education building

K-1st grade teachers                            Sherry Holder, Teresa Stephens, David Bair, David Langrall

          the classroom is located on the ground floor of the Education building 3^rd door on the right

2^nd - 3^rd grade teachers                       Noel Nickle, Meg Word-Sims, Alicia Chatham

          the classroom is located on the ground floor of the Education building, 2^nd door on the left

4^th – 5^th grade teachers                       Virginia Himmelheber, Emily Townes, John Whitener

          the classroom is located on the ground floor of the Education building 1^st door on the left

Middle School teachers                        Amanda Hendler-Voss, Jeanine Siler Jones, Joe Hoffman   

          the classroom is located on the 3^rd floor of the Sanctuary building, 1^st door on the left

High School teachers                          Leslie Boyd, Brenda Lewis, Doug Lebbon

          the classroom is located on the 3^rd floor of the Sanctuary building, 1^st door on the right