This season we are using the curriculum called Seasons of the Spirit.  It is ecumenically diverse and follows the lectionary (our weekly biblical texts.)  Seasons of the Spirit is a resource for leading worship, planning Christian nurturing, coordinating outreach and much more.

The seasons between Dec 3 – Feb 18, are Advent, (preparing for Jesus
Coming into the world), Christmas (not just a day but a season celebrating God’s presence among us in Jesus, and Epiphany (looking and exploring how God’s presence with us in not privately held, but revealed in and by the whole of life and creation.  We will be studying an ancient prophet, a twelve year old child, two pregnant women, a teacher and students in a grassy meadow, a group of puzzled fishermen, several sheep munching under midnight stars, oblivious to whatever might be going on around them.

We look at the people and times from ancient times, see familiar stories that are hopefully new to us on some level offering new and ancient truth waiting to be encountered and experienced again. We hope each story and their images talk to the participants offering new insight.

This season the curriculum moves in many directions.  Prophetic words bring both a challenge and promise of new life.  What comes to be revealed is not only the good news of Jesus, but also our call, response and commission to be the ones whom God continues to reveal Christ in the world. This season moves us from promise to preparation, from reception of God’s gift to understanding our call to be God’s gift to the world.

We are excited and looking forward in our journey of faith.  Come join us!

Rally Day kicks off the Sunday School year, and is the first Sunday after Labor Day. 
Sunday School is held during worship service, except for school holidays and summer vacation.
Children sit with their family until after the Children's Moment, and then they are dismissed to go to Sunday School classes.

Two programs a year are presented by the Sunday School children.  There is a Christmas Pageant and a Spring Program, both of which are presented during regular worship service.

During some public school holidays, children remain in the sanctuary for the entire service. Pew Activity Packs are available for restless children.

Children in grades 4-6 may become acolytes.  Each Sunday, at the beginning of the service, 2 acolytes light the candles on the altar from the Christ Candle.  At the end of the service, these same 2 acolytes will extinguish the altar candles, and then take the light from the Christ Candle into the world - of course this is symbolic, as they extinguish the flame when they reach the back of the church. 

The Junior Choir performs during worship service once a month during the school year.  They also present a Christmas Pageant and a program in May or June.

All children are welcome to join the Junior Choir if they are between 3 years of age until they join the confirmation class.

The Junior Choir is under the direction of Miss Christina Gregg.

 There will not be a confirmation class for the 2007-08 school year.

CONFIRMATION at First Congregational Church UCC

As we talk about confirmation we ask ourselves these questions:

1. What do we want our youth to know about confirmation?

• The overriding theme of covenant throughout the Bible
• The life and person of Jesus
• The big picture history of the church – how did we get here to today
• What the local congregation does and how it works
• Why we worship the way we do
• The meaning of the sacraments
• The importance of the call to mission
• Themselves a little better
• That it is normal to have questions about their faith and to ask them at any time

2. What do we want them to experience during confirmation?

• A caring fellowship, with whom they can have fun
• Worship that is meaningful and important to them
• Conversations with faithful adults
• Giving to others
• Prayer

3. How would we want their lives to be different because they have completed the confirmation program?

• They look to the church for support and growth
• Their faith grows during the program
• They acknowledge that there is much more to learn and experience and more questions to ask
• They want to continue to learn and experience faith

4. How can we make this happen?  

For our congregation, through the program, with the help, presence and grace of God.

The Pastor leads the confirmation program.  It is important for our youth to spend time with our pastor, to get to know each other and have them as role models.  However, we do not believe the clergy have sole responsibility for educating and nurturing our youth.  We want our youth to have opportunities to know and converse with faithful members of our congregation.  Therefore, there we include a mentoring program. Each youth will either select or is assigned a mentor, an adult member of the church with whom they can become friends and talk about faith, the church and life in general.  They meet together in structured activities once a month to work and to talk together.  In addition, mentors are encouraged to spend additional time with their youth. When appropriate the mentors also help lead the confirmation sessions, presenting information, facilitating activities and sharing their own personal experiences with the class.

THE CONTENT STRUCTURE

Each month the youth will explore a different theme attending an all day retreat, a study session and a service project.

The themes are as follows:

• Covenant
• Church History
• Bible Themes
• Life of Jesus
• Prayer
• Liturgy and Worship
• Sacraments and Symbolism
• UCC Missions (trip to Chicago)
• Church Structures
• Personal Faith
• What about…? (their questions)

Service projects
• Ushering
• Prepare Communion
• Visit Homebound Members
• Crop Walk
• Food Pantry
• Service Day at Church

After Confirmation
• Worship
• Assist in Worship
• Sunday School
• Youth Activities
• Bible Studies
• Mission Trips