From Our Church School Coordinator - Helga Finlay

Sunday March 24 11:15 a.m.: Hosanna Fair will take place in Nelson Hall. Come on over after the worship service and join in on the fun making crafts, coloring eggs or learning how to make palm crosses with Charlie Copeland. Everyone is encouraged to join in on the fun and help us celebrate this Easter season.

Saturday March 30 10:30 a.m.: Easter Egg hunt will take place in the playground area and on the side lawn of Nelson Hall. All the children will want to find where Peter Rabbit will be hiding the eggs this year. Join us afterwards for a fellowship brunch in Nelson Hall. This event will be held rain or shine.

Sunday March 31 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.: Easter services are family worship time. There will be no regular church school on Easter Sunday, but the Parker room will be available to parents of young children who need a break during the service.

July 8-12 will be the date of this year’s First Church Vacation Bible School. If you’re looking ahead towards the warmer months and trying to organize your summer camp signups, then you’ll want to mark the calendar for this year’s First Church VBS. Our theme this year is “Feed Your Spirit.” We need volunteers to make VBS come alive. Please contact Helga at Helga@finlay-family.com or call at (860)688-7229. Cost $15 per children or $35 per family.

Christmas at First Church in Windsor

Over 400 people attended our 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service where the church school children presented the Christmas story through a glorious pageant. Here are some of the pictures:

Here are some more pictures of this holy night.

CHURCH SCHOOL

Families are encouraged to begin 10 a.m. Sunday worship together in the meetinghouse (sanctuary). Nursery and toddler childcare is available on the lower level of the Parish House (brick building) and children can be left with our volunteer caregivers beginning at 9:45 AM. After the children's message is shared in the early part of the worship service, children leave with their teachers for the church school and rotation classes held in the Parish House.

On the first Sunday of each month (Communion Sundays) children through Grade 6 begin the morning at a brief children’s chapel service in Nelson Hall of the Parish House beginning at 10:00 AM before going to their classrooms. Parents are welcome to remain or to attend worship and receive Communion in the meetinghouse.

In class in the lower level of the Parish House, toddlers, three’s and four’s enjoy stories, puppets, music, crafts, games and interactive play time. First and second graders also meet on this same level and engage the Augsburg Press “Witness” curriculum. Grades three through six meet on the main level and follow a rotation model curriculum, a multi-sensory and interactive approach to learning the biblical stories and/or about the church year through cooking, skits, drumming/music, computer games, writing, and other opportunities. Seventh and eighth grade classes meet in the Youth Room (lower level of the meetinghouse) and use the “Seasons of the Spirit” curriculum. (http://www.spiritseasons.com/)

All of our teachers are dedicated members of the congregation who volunteer to support the teaching mission of First Church in Windsor. Our staff are always available to answer any questions or to support you and your child(ren).

Summer Explorers

During the summer months, we offer a multi-aged Explorer Group that is led by church members who share their interests, hobbies and talents and explore the unlimited connections these offer in relationship to God, church and faithful discipleship.

Vacation Bible School

First Church hosts a wonderfully creative, fun and music-filled Vacation Bible School for one week in August from 9AM-12PM for children in kindergarten through 5th grade. All of the classes and activities are led by volunteer church members and youth leaders. See "Highlights" section for this year's offering.

Summers at Silver Lake Conference Center

Silver Lake Conference Center is the home of the Outdoor Ministries of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ. Nestled in the picturesque foothills of the Berkshires of Litchfield County, Silver Lake has been welcoming church groups, youth groups, schools, non-profits and businesses, for almost fifty years during the Fall, Winter and Spring.

Each summer, Silver Lake continues the proud tradition of being the vibrant church camp for up to 1300 fourth graders through high school-age young people. These week-long "conferences" offer "once-in-a-lifetime experiences, over and over" to several generations of youth, helping to shape future leaders and spirited community-builders everywhere.

Silver Lake has become a sacred place to so many people, young and old. We invite you to come away from the busyness of everyday life and find out what is so special about this ministry of God's love.

Mission Statement
Silver Lake Conference Center, a year-round outdoor ministry of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ, is called to covenant in partnership with God and with the churches of the Conference in the work of forming life-sustaining leaders for the Church and world, by offering:

Experiences of inclusive and nurturing Christian community
Opportunities to grow and participate as Christ's disciples
A model of sustainable environmental stewardship of God's world.
We worship, learn, play, serve and work together, respecting the right of private judgement. We seek to provide a safe environment of acceptance regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation, reflecting our unity in Christ and respecting the faith journeys of all of God's children. "Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the Glory of God." Romans 15:7

Church and Staff Support

Faith and discipleship formation at First Church is a shared ministry among all of us! Parents, church members, confirmation mentors, volunteer teachers, youth assistants and staff come together to create a community of learning, exploration and sharing that serves as a faith foundation for life. Your ideas, thoughts, support and questions are welcomed.

Sue Warner-Prouty, Chairperson, Board of Christian Education
Rev. Rick Huleatt, Senior Pastor
Char Corbett, Minister of Youth and Outreach
Helga Finlay, Church School Coordinator
Gary Sava, Church School Assistant