| Christian
Education
First Congregational
Church of Woodbury has an enriching Christian Education
program for our children. Dedicated teachers who love
their students are the key to what the church offers.
We currently have nine teachers, nine ‘shepherds’
and several substitutes in our Sunday Church School program
who volunteer their time and energy to the teaching of
God’s word to the children of the church. We are
at the forefront of “Safe Sanctuaries” policy,
having two adults to every classroom. The Christian Education
program at First Church includes an active Sunday school
program throughout the school year, a summer craft program,
confirmation instruction, and other events throughout
the year geared toward adult education.
Sunday
Church School
Sunday Church School meets from September through mid-May,
from 10:15 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The first Sunday in September
after Labor Day is Rally Day, which is our official kickoff
to the new Church School year. Classes are offered for
children pre-Kindergarten through junior high school.
The Pre-K-7th grade classes meet every week, and the senior
high youth meet weekly on Tuesdays for Confirmation instruction.
The Church School year ends in mid-May with Children’s
Sunday, a time when the children conduct the 10:00 a.m.
worship service and share with the congregation what they
have learned during the year.
September 10, 2006
Rally Day
Genesis Theme
The
children are involved in more than just attending a class
each week. They also put on special programs and participate
in service projects throughout the year. In December,
concurrent with the Christmas Fair, the children perform
a Living Nativity in the yard of the Parsonage, which
is visible to all passing on Main Street.
In
the spring, the classes participate in a Mission Project.
Programs
in the past have included a food drive for Woodbury Community
Services, participation in the Heifer Project, and last
spring’s mission project was preparing over 120
bagged lunches for distribution by the Greater Waterbury
Interfaith Mission.
The curriculum
that is currently being used is “Come Join The Circle”,
published by LOGOS Publications. The children typically
will learn a key Bible lesson or point rotating through
an Art classroom, a Storytelling/Media classroom and a
standard classroom. On the fourth Sunday, the entire Church
School comes together for our “Celebration Sunday”,
which is the culmination of the lesson and time for fellowship
and fun.
On Family Sundays,
which generally coincide with holiday weekends, children
over 2nd grade attend the worship service with their families
and the teachers are given the opportunity to attend worship
as well. Children grade 2 and under are welcome downstairs
for a movie, popcorn and craft.
Nursery Room
Children from infants to preschool are invited to our
clean and spacious nursery room, which is staffed by our
confirmands as part of their service requirement.
Summer
Church School
During the summer months, crafts and movies are offered
for children 5th grade and below. Children who are in
grades 6-8 are encouraged to sign up to be helpers.
Confirmation
Confirmation at First Church is two years of intensive
study in preparation for church membership. Topics include
Biblical study, Christian doctrine and creeds, Christian
living, the sacraments, church history, church government,
seasons of the church year, church membership responsibilities,
and more. The course includes various assignments and
projects and Confirmation Youth are encouraged to participate
in our annual Mission Trip. This past year, Confirmation
class, along with several Confirmation alumnus and adult
volunteers, traveled to Florida to help rebuild houses
destroyed by last year’s hurricanes.
Typically confirmation
study is completed during the tenth grade. The class meets
once a week on Tuesday evenings. The class begins October
and runs through the end of May. The conclusion of confirmation
is marked by each confirmand reading his or her Statement
of Faith at a celebratory Confirmation Sunday, where each
youth is welcomed into membership at First Church.
Board of Christian Education
The Board of Christian Education oversees the Christian
Education programs of First Congregational Church. The
Board is chaired by a Board
member. Other members are appointed by the church council.
The Director of Christian Education is the church staff
liaison to the Board.
Director
of Christian Education
Mary MacLeod
Chair
Virginia Garms
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