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At First Congregational Church, we take seriously the need for quality Christian education for children, for youth, and for adults. Regardless of your age or interests, our educational programs are varied, distinctive, and engaging.
Children Our educational programs for children, from preschool through sixth grade, promote biblical literacy, prepare children for participation in worship, and engage them in the life of our community and the wider world. It begins with Church School on Sunday morning and continues with Sunday morning Kid's Club following worship, and Kid’s Club on Wednesday afternoon: Sunday Morning Schedule: 9:45-11:20am: Nursery Care for Infants and Toddlers (through age 2) * Children grades 1st-6th do not have class on Communion Sundays. They participate in worship with their families for the Sacrament of Holy Communion Sunday Morning Kid’s Club is a new Sunday morning program designed for families with children ages 3 to 9. Sunday Kid’s Club is designed to engage children in fun and meaningful activities while parents attend coffee hour and/or after worship meetings. Sunday morning Kid’s Club is held in the Creation Room from 11:15-11:45am each Sunday. Here is how it works. Church School teachers will bring children ages 3 to 9 to the Creation Room after regular church school. You may pick up your child(ren) when you are ready to leave. Sunday morning Kid’s Club is led by Kat Cetrone, Director of Children's Ministries. The structure of Sunday Morning Kid’s Club is: Kid’s Club for 1st - -6th Graders
Youth Educational programs for youth provide spiritual and social nurture, offer opportunities for service to others, and engage our youth in addressing their faith and their doubts. Our Wednesday night program, 2012-2013.
Confirmation Making Disciples Confirmation Class At FCCW, students in 8th grade are invited to participate in our Confirmation Class. This year-long class prepares students to publicly affirm the baptismal vows taken for them by their parents in the Rite of Confirmation, held this year on Sunday, May 5, 2013. Dates for Confirmation Class for 2012-2013: October 7, November 4, December 2, January 13, February 3, March 3, April 14, and April 28.
Adult Adult Spiritual Formation Spiritual Formation is a process of learning to love God with heart, soul and mind (Deuteronomy 6: 4-5), and our neighbors as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22: 34-40). Our Spiritual Formation program provides opportunities to develop Biblical and theological literacy, engage in ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, and develop habits of Christian prayer, discernment, and mutual support. Monthly Study and Spirituality Groups Join us for the Pastor’s Study: This Bible Study and discussion group taught by Pastor Stephanie Perdew VanSlyke will focus on the lectionary scripture readings we will hear in worship each month. We’ll engage the scriptures through a historical and literary approach, using insights from current scholarship and church history, and end with a meditative reading that invites us to connect the scriptures to ourselves and our lives. This class is intended to help you become more Scripturally literate and allow the Scriptures we hear in worship to become more familiar and meaningful. Subjects for the Pastor’s Study Interfaith Dialogue For over a decade, First Congregational Church proudly shared worship and educational space with Congregation Sukkat Shalom, led by Rabbi Samuel Gordon. This partnership in faith, which began in 1997, was recognized by the Chicago organization Inspired Partnerships in May 2000, when our congregations received the “Best Use of Shared Space” Award. Congregation Sukkat Shalom will be moving into its newly renovated building at 10th and Central Streets this fall. Our congregations continue our partnership by co-hosting a guest lecture each year, and sharing a variety of other educational and social justice activities and worship services each year. • Congregation Sukkat Shalom Building Dedication Weekend, October 12-13, 2012 • Annual FCCW/CSS Guest Lecture at Congregation Sukkat Shalom • Nonviolent Peaceforce: An Introduction • The Forgiving Victim: An Induction into Christian Vulnerability The Forgiving Victim is something quite new in the field of introductions to the Christian faith. What James Alison had in mind when he began putting together The Forgiving Victim course over 12 years ago, was to restore to the Christian life the wonder and transformative power of discovering not some new Biblical fact or church doctrine, but that we are loved far more than we know. Suzanne will present an introduction to the course on Monday evening, January 28, 7:00-9:00pm, at FCCW. You can learn more about the course at www.forgivingvictim.com. Course participants will determine when and how often to meet. So please attend the introductory session to learn more about this exciting journey of discovery that will open your hearts and minds to discovering new things about yourself and your faith. The Men’s Group, Mondays Once a Month, 7:00pm Dates for 2012-2013 Please RSVP to Keith Ross dkeithr1979@aol.com. Mary Supper, Second Tuesdays of the Month, 6:30pm At FCCW’s Mary Supper, women of the church gather for a light meal with prayer and spiritual conversation led by Pastor Stephanie VanSlyke. Held in member's homes, this is an open group and all women are welcome and encouraged to come as often as they can. First-timers and friends always welcome! Dates for 2012-2013
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Our Christian Formation Programs for children lead participants on an unfolding path that builds Biblical literacy and familiarity with our Church--its history, its mission and patterns of worship. Classes, curriculum, and activities draw of on the philosophy of educator Maria Montessori as expressed in the Christian "Godly Play" curriculum written by Jerome Berryman and Sonia Stewart. Lessons and activities equip the child with the religious imagination to navigate a deeper understanding of their spiritual lives and church community. Children emerge empowered and motivated to continue their education and to maintain a relationship with the church community as they move into junior high. At FCCW, we believe it is not enough to simply convey Biblical lessons by rote. Rather, we focus on building Biblical literacy so that children discover what the stories of our faith mean to them. Teachers at all levels are trained to serve as spiritual guides and understand how to spark inquiry. I encourage families to be involved with the learning to form a partnership. Watch for regular communication on what is happening in the church school classrooms. Children will occasionally bring home family pages to further strengthen the connection between home and church. In addition, I will make myself available to discuss your child's interactions with programming. Feel free to schedule a brief meeting, phone conversation, or take a moment after service to simply inquire about your child's individual experiences in the classroom. I look forward to working with you during this and future programming years. All of our programs support children becoming active in worship, not only as participants but leaders as well. Children feel a great sense of pride and belonging while teaching the congregation what they have learned.
The mission of the FCCW youth groups is to provide a safe environment for young people to explore the intersections of faith and youth culture. We do so by treating one another with honor and respect. In our sessions we compare contemporary movies, music, television shows, and books with the Bible and Christian tradition. The goal is to develop the tools necessary to critique and affirm aspects of our culture. We ask questions like: "What in our culture affirms the spirit of life, love, and hospitality?" "How might we give a generous critique of those aspects of our culture that lead us away from that spirit?" and "What does all of this mean for the way we treat our fellow human beings?" |
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