Christian Education
ANNUAL CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
"THE BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER"
SUNDAY DECEMBER 21, 2008
10:15 A.M.
Children and Youth are a vital part of our congregation at First Congregational U.C.C. We offer programs to provide for the spiritual growth and fellowship of our young people.
Whoever we are, whatever our age, we encounter and interpret the biblical story through the lens of our life experience. We learn from it and grow with it and when we share our understandings with others, we learn and grow even more.
In this safe environment, children and youth are invited to learn and explore the stories of our faith through storytelling, discussion, games, drama, crafts, exploration (cooking and science), discovery and fellowship. They are then encouraged to live their lives as disciples of Jesus Christ. Please plan to join us for any of our educational programs and invite your friends to join us too.
For more information about any of the Christian Education programs at
First Congregational, U.C.C. please feel free to contact:
Rev. Lois Bucher
847-741-4045 extension 19
or any member of our
Ministry of Christian Education
Michael Blackwood (committee chair), Jan Embree, Wendy Hargrave, Evelyn Johnson (committee secretary), Deb Leberecht, Shannon Lile, Beth Mitchell, Debi Sell, Colleen Stauffacher (committee treasurer)
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Next Christian Education Ministry Meeting
Wednesday
Dec 17, 08 @ 6:30 pm
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2008-2009 SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS
K-2nd: Ms. Pfister, Ms. Sobolak, & Ms. Treacy
3rd - 6th Storytelling: Ms. Lile and Ms. Ruf
3rd - 6th Crafts: Ms McMinn
3rd - 6th Games: Ms Lebrecht
3rd - 6th Drama: Mr Blackwood, Mr McCoy, & Ms. Powers
3rd - 6th Discovery: Ms Sell and Ms Carrara
Junior High: Ms Mitchell and Ms Aldred
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10:30 - 11:30
(Children attend worship at 10:15 with their family and are dismissed after the children’s message)
Nursery (Babies - 3year olds)
This class is held in the nursery on the main level. The babies will be cuddled and the toddlers will be taught about the love of God through play, story and song.
3rd grade - 6th grade
Sunday School consists of approximately 25-30 minutes of storytelling and then 25-30 minutes of a "monthly activity," rotating between crafts, games, drama and exploration/discovery. Our Sunday School uses the Live Big! Curriculum. The curriculum is designed to help people of all ages encounter the biblical story, learn how to interpret the faith story, and connect it to their lives as disciples.
Outlined below is a brief description of each of the educational components in the Live Big! Curriculum.
Storytelling: Each Sunday students will be engaged in one of the many stories of our faith. With the use of their imaginations, emotions, and minds, students will be invited into the biblical world, its dilemmas, and situations. By entering into the biblical story, persons of all ages may come to imagine themselves, their community, and their world in new ways.
Crafts: Arts or Craft classes will be held once a month. During craft time students will use their creative talents to make a variety of crafts that reflect biblical themes.
Games: Once a month classes will have the opportunity to learn more about the biblical story through games. Sometimes these will engage the students in active group games while other times they may be playing related board games.
Exploration/Discovery: Monthly, students will experience the story through cooking or science activities in this class.
Drama: Each month, students will live the lives and experience the situations & events of biblical characters and situations through skits, improvisations & dramatic games.
Jr. High (7th - 8th grades)
Discussion and Action: Students in this age group will use the lens of their faith to explore issues affecting their daily life. Through the discussion of current events, teen pressures, moral dilemmas, and decision making they will seek to discover ways the biblical story connects with their daily life.
Sr. High School
The Senior High class will remain in worship through the sermon each Sunday and will leave the service during the hymn after the sermon .
* On the first Sunday of the month the class will remain in church for the entire worship service so that students can participate in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
* On the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month, the students will meet in their upstairs classroom for a sermon and faithful living discussion.
* On the 3rd Sunday of the month, the students will go to Ravenheart Coffee across the street for their sermon & discussions.
Confirmation
This class is held every other Wednesday night at 7:30 - 9:00 p.m in our church office. In addition to classes there will be: field trips, service projects, youth activities, participation in the life of the church, and study with a mentor. It is a program of faith formation leading young people to publicly profess their own desire to be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.
Frog Friday
A youth group for kindergartners through sixth graders is held on the third Friday evening of every month.
F.(friends)R.(relying) O. (on) G. (God) Friday begins at 6p.m. with a dinner (pizza) followed by story, crafts, music, games and fellowship. The evening ends with a closing circle at 8:30 p.m. There is a $5 charge for this group which covers the dinner and crafts.
Youth Group
A youth group for junior high and senior high youth is held in conjunction with FROG Friday. The youth assist with FROG Friday and then stay for youth group activities until 11pm. Other youth group outings are planned at various times during the month. These are highlighted in the Church Life newsletter and in the Church Bulletin. For more information contact Pastor Lois.
Click here for information about Adult Fellowship