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Children and families are a vital part of this community of faith. There are many ways for them to get involved in the life of the church, no matter their age.

Worship

Children and youth contribute to the worship services in meaningful ways depending on their interests. Students have made videos for worship, played their instruments, danced, sung, read scripture, led a children’s moment, and even helped with a balloon-drop benediction.

Faith Formation from Birth to Confirmation

Nursery Care for children aged 0-4

First Church is equipped with a nursery space for our youngest members. Our nursery is staffed with two early childhood specialists who have been background checked and trained in our Safe Church policy. Nursery care is available from 9:30 to 11:30 am on Sunday mornings. Please bring your child to the nursery, located in the Parker Room, to meet our nursery staff and officially sign in.

Church School for students aged 4 – Grade 4

Our church school program meets Sunday mornings following the “Children’s Moment” portion of the worship service (approx. 10:15 am). The program is hands-on and Montessori-based. Students work with Godly Play materials to help them imagine themselves in the stories of our faith. They also have opportunities to embrace quiet, prayer, wonder, and a variety of open-ended materials. Everyone who works with our children and youth has passed a background check and has been trained in our Safe Church policy.

Mentorship Opportunities for students in grades 5-7

Students in grades 5 – 7 can remain in worship for the duration of the service or serve as church school mentors. Church school mentors model active listening and deeper engagement with the lesson materials. They also receive special responsibilities and leadership roles.

Pre-Confirmation/Confirmation classes for students in grades 8 – 9

As students conclude their middle school years and enter high school, they become eligible to participate in a Confirmation program. This program invites students to take a deeper look at their faith and faith community. Students who choose to make their confirmation (“confirm their baptism”) become full members of the church in a special worship service in May or June.

Mission Initiatives

Children and youth are always welcome to get involved in our Mission and Outreach initiatives, such as preparing hygiene kits for the homeless, gathering supplies for the local food bank, or helping to put together care packages for our young people away at college or in the military. Each Summer, youth in 6th through 12th grade are invited to join our Youth Service Learning Trip. In 2018, we traveled to the Maine Seacoast Mission. Here, our young people worked to repair damaged homes and learned about some of the challenges facing rural communities. In 2019, we traveled to Oceanside, CA, to learn more about the struggles facing migrant communities on our southern border.