SUNDAY SCHOOL (Regular Program Year)
September through June, our Sunday School meets each Sunday for ages 4 through the 8th grade. The Bible stories we learn each year follow biblical figures and concepts coinciding with our program year theme.
GENERAL SUNDAY SCHOOL INFORMATION
We offer Sunday School to children age 4 through the 8th grade. Our PK/K children follow a structured classroom time, while our 1st-8th graders use the Rotational Model of teaching, where our children experience the same bible story over 4 weeks. Each week, they are taught through various disciplines, such as art, cooking, games, service and spiritual practices. All of our classes are taught by an outstanding volunteer team made up of teens, parents, and other adult members, all Safe Conduct trained for the classroom.
Each week, our children begin in the Sanctuary, and after dismissing from there, our PK-8th graders worship with their peers for a short while in our ‘Chapel Time’. Once our PK/K dismiss to their classroom, our older children continue in the Chapel learning a bible story utilizing PowerPoint images and maps, then break out into their age appropriate classrooms, where our children have a time of prayer and discussion, then participate in their rotation for that Sunday.
SPECIFIC AGE GROUPS
CHILDCARE THROUGH AGE 3:
We offer childcare for infants through 3 years of age each Sunday in our Nursery room. This childcare is available all year long in our Nursery (located on the bottom floor of the Education building) from 9:30 a.m. until the end of worship at 11 a.m. These children are overseen by our three hired childcare workers, who provide guided play time, snacks, and a short bible story time. These children can be picked up from this location after worship.
Pre-K/K:
PK/K begin in worship with their families, and dismiss from the Sanctuary to a short time in the Chapel before moving to their classroom, located across from the Nursery on the bottom floor of the Education building. This class is taught by our Safe Conduct Trained volunteer teachers who take the children through a structured time of singing, storytelling, snacks and crafts, following the rotation story for the month. The PK/K children can be picked up from this location after worship.
1st-8th GRADE:
After dismissing from the Sanctuary, then 'Chapel Time', our first through eighth graders head off to their age specific classrooms where they are taught by Safe Conduct Trained volunteers. Children through the 6th grade should be picked up from these locations by their parents after worship in the Education Building.
Our 7th-8th graders follow the bible theme from the monthly unit all children are following, however these youth do not follow the rotations. After 'Chapel Time', they are taught by trained teachers who lead our youth in a discussion-oriented setting, experiencing connection to God and each other through art, service, and spiritual practices.
9th-12th GRADE:
Our youth is very active on Sunday mornings, serving in various capacities throughout morning worship time, and in the evenings. Please see our youth page for information on activities for our 9th-12th graders on Sunday evenings and throughout the school year. We also offer a two-year Confirmation Program for 9th and 10th graders facilitated by volunteer mentors and our clergy.
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The purpose of our program is to teach children about our faith, while providing an accepting and nurturing atmosphere to help them develop a deeper connection with God and others as they learn about God’s love. The stories of our faith are taught in dynamic ways addressing the different emotional, physical, and spiritual stages in their lives. We strive to be a place of affirmation for all forms of family, recognizing that it is God who calls a family together, and we welcome and affirm children of all abilities, working to find ways so all children can thrive. From PK to 8th grade, our children follow similar stories and themes throughout the year, creating a consistent and comprehensive curriculum. It is our hope that the children who call First Church their home will grow in faith, wonder, and trust in the God who loves them, as they learn stories and practices of the Christian faith. Ultimately, we hope they understand that God is for them and this place is where they are beloved members of God and this faith community!
OTHER IMPORTANT INFO
Communion: On the 1st Sunday of each month, our children will receive communion in ‘Chapel Time’, served by a deacon and Confirmation student. Occasionally, children will come back into the service to partake with the larger church family.
Summer Ministries: In addition to our regular program year of September through June, we offer summer Sunday School for the months of July and August for children through the fourth grade (Children 5th grade and older are welcome to assist with Sunday School or worship with their families).
