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Our Christian Education ministry is focused on the well-being, spiritual formation and education of individuals and the church as a whole. Specifically, the Sunday School program provides an introduction to the traditions and stories of our faith in a loving environment. Intergenerational events provide many opportunities for fellowship, education and spiritual formation.

The Christian Education Ministry is carried out by a group of adults who facilitate all aspects of Christian Education. Anyone with an interest is invited to participate in this important ministry of the church.

Children and Youth at First Parish

Let the children come to me for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Luke 18:16
All young people are welcome in our worship every week. Throughout the year we have days designated as Family Sundays, which are Sundays when the children participate in worship by singing in our Sunday School choir and hearing a message especially for them. On these Sundays, the older youth serve as liturgists, readers and greeters. Children are welcome to receive Holy Communion, at the discretion of their parents. Holy Communion instruction is offered to our 4th & 5th grade class.

Curriculum:

Sunday School starts for children at infancy and continues through the eighth grade. Confirmation is a two year program for youth in 9th and 10th grades. The youngest children in our program use the Godly Play curriculum, which through storytelling teaches the bible stories and traditions of our faith. The older children use the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum, one that follows the lectionary cycle of seasonal readings for the church year. Both curricula highlight the love and grace of God for all God’s children and the welcoming message of the gospel that Jesus proclaimed.

Nursery:

Sundays 9:30 am. to 11:30 a.m.
Our professional caregiver, assisted by volunteers welcomes and cares for children from infancy through age 3 on Sundays from 9:30 a.m. until the end of the 11:00a.m. service. Nursery care is also available during some of our educational events and special programs.

Godly Play for Age 4 through Grade 3:

Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
Engaging the whole child: heart, mind, hands, senses, intuition. Godly Play is a Montessori related approach to learning which enables children to experience the presence of a loving God and discover how to "speak the language" of their biblical faith.

The Godly Play curriculum is focused on both the Old Testament and New Testament scriptures. It is a discovery method of learning using storytelling and props which enables young children to encounter God. Its intent is not so much to tell about God as it is to invite children to experience God’s presence as real and loving. Godly Play is offered at First Parish on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. for children ages 4 through grade 3, in three rooms designed for Godly Play.

Godly Play also happens at other times - at an adult Bible Study, during Confirmation, as part of our Holy Communion class, on adult retreats and occasionally as the Sunday morning sermon! Godly Play is a powerful, proven way for people of faith to enter into the stories of the tradition and for - adults as well as children - to enter into God’s graceful presence.

Bible Time for Grades 4-5:

Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
Bible Time is Godly Play for Older Children. Following closely the principles of Godly Play, the children continue to encounter the Word by exploring the biblical test. Bible Timers are also introduced to the Bible itself, what it consists of, how to find their way around it, and how to read and study the Scriptures for themselves. After reading the story, the older children may discuss the story more deeply, or work with the story by studying the history of the time, making maps or murals, or creating a drama or journal. Bible Timers also prepare for Holy Communion by studying the words of Jesus, exploring Holy Week and encountering the meaning of Holy Communion through Godly Play stories and in our worship services.

Micah Ministry/Youth Group Grades 6-8:

Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
What does the Lord require ofyou by to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
During the middle-school years, we experience service projects as a way to worship God, and we look at other faith traditions and compare them to our United Church of Christ tradition. The goals of our middle school program are building community, establishing relationships which honor each individual’s gifts and talents as necessary for the life of the group, and unfolding a basic understanding of the call of God on all of us to live in accordance with God’s Word.

Confirmation for Grades 9 and above:

Our two-year confirmation process strikes an important balance between the community and the individual. Our pastors and deacons provide instruction using the curriculum Affirming Our Faith.

Through classroom lessons, service work, and retreats, the young people begin to understand the Christian Faith as lived in community. At the end of the 2-year cycle, a confirmand chooses whether to be confirmed and become a member of the church.

High School Youth:

Throughout the year programs are offered for our High School youth. Recently, the high school youth put on a series of benefit concerts, "Music for Milk" for the Salem Mission. High School youth play an active role in our Sunday School as teachers and volunteers. Service projects and mission trips are offered yearly.

Events for Families with Children:

In addition to our Sunday morning school, families with children participate in our Family Worship services, as well as a number of intergenerational events: the Homecoming Jazz worship and picnic dinner in September, All Saints Day, decorating and filling Thanksgiving Baskets for needy families in November. In December we offer an Advent Family Workshop and the Christmas Pageant. On Christmas Eve at 5:00 p.m. there is a Family Worship service when children participate in a festive Christmas service and the lighting of the candles during Silent Night. Our Epiphany Family Worship Service and potluck luncheon celebrates the arrival of the three kings and the gift of the light to the entire world. In February or March, the older youth offer a Family Worship service and on Palm Sunday the church school processes from the Chapel to the Sanctuary following Jesus and the donkey. We celebrate with our children in May on Children’s Sunday with our celebration worship service and teacher appreciation luncheon.

First Parish Playgroup:

First Parish offers a weekly playgroup for the greater community, which meets in the chapel.

Adult Programs:

Adults at First Parish are offered a range of programs throughout the year that provide fellowship and instruction in our faith and spiritual formation. Recent adult programs have provided instruction in our congregational tradition, explore the intersection of Christianity and culture and provide spiritual formation. Some of our on-going programs include:

• Women’s Fellowship, four times a year making the seasons of the year through worship.
• Soup and Conversation, wintertime after worship.
• Walks with God, offered in the fall, an exploration of the congregational tradition.
• Weekly bible study.
• Women’s group engaging in bible and book study, offered monthly.

Small Group Ministries:

Small groups provide places of nurture and opportunities to learn Christian practices of prayer, forgiveness and hospitality.
Small groups at First Parish have included:

• Women’s Creative group, which explores our tradition through mediation and the arts.
• Book group which explores theology.
• Blanketeers, which meets during Lent to make blankets for children in the hospital.
• Care Team, which provides visitation and meals.
• Sunday Morning group, which meets at 8:30 a.rn. for study.