Children and Youth 2010-2011 Overview

• Details
• Parent Category: Programs and Ministries
• Published on Monday, 04 October 2010 21:13



PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH  2010 – 2011

Our Church School program intends to provide an accepting, nurturing atmosphere to help children respond to God’s love and to grow in relationship with one another. We care about children and teach the stories of our faith in ways appropriate to different emotional, physical, and spiritual life stages.  We strive to be a place of affirmation for all forms of family, recognizing that it is God who calls families together. We welcome children of all abilities and work to find ways that all children can thrive in community. It is our hope that children will grow in faith, wonder, and trust in the God who loves them, that they will learn more of the stories and practices of the Christian faith, that they will be engaged participants in the world, empowered to act with kindness and justice, and know the church as a place where they are beloved members of community.

General Church School Information

Our church provides an educational program for children on Sunday mornings at 10:00am during regular worship services.

• The Crib Room and the Toddler class for “3’s and Under” are both available from 9:50 a.m. until the end of worship.  Parents are always welcome to stay with their child until their child is comfortable with our rooms and caregivers.
• Pre-K through Grade 8 will generally worship with their families for the first 15 minutes of the service and then leave the Sanctuary to attend Church School classes.  Classes end at approximately 11:15am.
• Pick-up arrangements: Parents of children up through Grade 2 are requested to collect them personally from class when the bell rings.  This is one of our safety measures for small children.  Older children will be permitted to make their own way to meet parents in Fellowship Hall.  Parents should arrange for a meeting place inside the church building.

Parents will be kept up to date with email newsletters and mailings. Please fill out a registration form or contact Lisa Horst Clark ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) if you would like to be included on the mailing lists.

Weekday Programs for Children and Youth

Kindergarten to 2nd Grade
Cherub Choir – Wednesdays 4:00 – 5:00pm – Griswold Hall
The Cherub Choir for those in Kindergarten – Grade 2, sings songs together, plays games, and make joyful noise to God! Cherubs will have a chance to sing in worship services periodically throughout the year. Choir does not meet during school vacations, half-days or snow-days. Come join for the first meeting on Wed., September 15th. Want to learn more? Director Gail Etter 203-453-8818

3rd-8th Grade
Junior Choir – Wednesdays 3:45 – 5:00pm – Fellowship Hall
All kids Grades 3-8 are invited to join us in Junior Choir. We sing in church during worship services, learn more about music, and have lots of chances for fellowship and fun. We will meet beginning on Wednesday, September 15th 5th-8th graders may come to Fellowship Hall after school on Wednesdays and we'll do something while we wait for the 3rd & 4th graders to arrive. Choir does not meet during school vacations, half-days or snow-days. Want to learn more? Liza Catino  203-453-0494.  

Middle School Youth Group Tuesdays 3:00-4:30pm MSYG is for anyone in Grades 5 – 8 interested in making new friends, getting involved with the community, having fun and making a difference in the world. We play games, take on creative projects, and reflect on our lives in a new way. The group will meet with Lisa Horst Clark and Liza Catino on Tuesdays from 3:00 – 4:30pm in Fellowship Hall beginning on September 28th.  Friends and guests are welcome! Questions? Lisa Horst Clark (203) 453-3324

High School Programs

Confirmation Classes
Confirmation is a two-year program with emphasis on exploring questions of faith and learning more about the Christian tradition. Our confirmation program is open to any young person in the church in grades 9 – 11.

During the first year, each confirmand will choose a sponsor and, with her or his assistance, will be guided through a series of hands-on learning experiences designed to increase his or her understanding of what it means to be part of the church.  These experiences cover a broad range of activities – from helping at church, to participating in worship services, to assisting in a church-related outreach project.  During the second year, the class will meet weekly, learning about the Bible, our church’s history and missions, and exploring together some of the issues that surround our faith and beliefs. Confirmation, for those who choose, will take place in June of the second year.

We ask parents of 9th graders, or other young people who have an interest in the confirmation program, to attend our first meeting, on September 26 or contact the church early in September and let us know you plan to participate. Contact person: Lisa Horst Clark (203) 453-3324

High School Youth Group: Pilgrim Fellowship
Our Pilgrim Fellowship usually meets during the school year on Sunday evenings from 7:00-9:00pm in Fellowship Hall.  The group alternates between serious programs, recreational and social events, and service projects for our church and the community at large.  The week-long Mission Trip during spring vacation has been a highlight of the year’s activities.  Details of PF programs are announced in the Landmark, worship bulletins and group communications.  All high school students are welcome to participate.