First Church of Christ, Sandwich, Massachusetts

It’s never too late to join any of our programs. You are always welcome! Email Jennie Valentine, our Director of Christian Education or call her at 508-888-0434.

Church School Schedule
* 2007-2008 Church School Registration Form
(requires Adobe Reader download here)

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AT FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, UCC

Our Christian Education Mission: To equip students, supplementing the religious education begun in the home, with the knowledge and tools they need to know the love and will of God, helping them to be educated in the ways of the Lord and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ to the world.

OUR CURRICULUM

We use a variety of methods to reach all students, recognizing each individual’s learning style.

Trinity Tots – for older 2s and younger 3s; story-based, traditional church school including story, music, craft, and play. Meets at 9:00 only on the second floor.

Godly Play - for pre-k and kindergarten; Montessori-based, story education that creates a sacred space and encourages students to be themselves, learn to live in community, come closer to the mystery of God's presence, learn the Christian language; it is a "wondering" environment. Meets in Godly Play classroom on second floor at 9:00 only.

Rotation Workshops - for grades 1-6; uses the multi-intelligence theory to allow each student to grasp large concepts through specific, in-depth study of a broad topic; grade groups rotate weekly to a new workshop addressing the rotation topic over four or five Sundays. Meets in vestry and on second floor. This program is also used during the 11:00 hour for our multi-age church school class.

Journey to Adulthood - for grades 6-Confirmation; a method for our congregation and families to walk with young people as they move from childhood to adulthood. Here they continue on the Journey toward an adult view of their own faith through a series of lessons designed to connect Christianity to each student's personal faith, culminating with the Confirmation experience in grade 10. Classes meet on the second floor at 9:00 only.

YOUTH GROUPS

High School (9-12), Junior High School (6-8), and Middler Youth Groups (4-5) are available beginning in fourth grade. All groups meet on Sunday evenings, except when a special activity is planned. High school and junior high meet weekly, and middlers meet monthly. An emphasis on fellowship and outreach allows youth to make connections with each other and the world around them.

Download the * Youth Group Schedule
Download the * High School Youth Group Schedule
(requires Adobe Reader download here)

Youth Groups will begin September 23. Both Junior High and High School will meet from 7:00-8:15 at the church. Middler Youth Group 5:00-6:30 first Sunday of the month. High School youth group will be under the leadership of Pastor Dan and Junior High and Middler will be led by Jennie. Programs will offer a variety of fun, service, and learning that will connect us, creating a stronger community both in and out of church.

OTHER FUN & VALUABLE EXPERIENCES

In addition to regular church school classes, opportunities for service and fellowship are offered for families during festival times of the church year: Advent Workshops, Caroling, Christmas Pageant, Mardi Gras, Lent, and Easter workshops. We also offer periodic “Family Flick” nights which are times of entertainment and family fellowship.

Confirmation is taking this year off and will resume in 2008 with our 10th graders. If you need further information, please contact Jennie or Pastor Dan.

2008 Vacation Bible School will be held August 4 - 8 from 9:00am to 12:30pm at First Church. Volunteers should call 508-888-0434 or email Jennie Valentine our CE Director.

Click here to download your registration form. (requires Adobe Reader download here)

Camp Information for The Horton Center, Pine Mountain, NH
Summer camp is great experience, especially at Horton Center. Visit www.hortoncenter.org for detailed information or feel free to discuss our camping program with Jennie or Dan.

Dates for 2008
June 29 - July 5 – Grades 6-8 (Mid-High)
July 2 - July 5 – Grades 3-5 (Elementary)
July 27 – August 4 – Grades 9-12 (High School Extended Week)

Campers are welcome to go other weeks as their schedules permit. However, there will not be First Church leadership there for those other weeks. WE STILL NEED LEADERSHIP FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL WEEK! You don’t have to have camp experience to be a volunteer, and all it requires is hanging with the kids to ensure safety and community. Please think about helping out – it will change your life! The mission of Horton Center is “to invite all God’s children to experience Christian community in the natural world” so hiking, rock climbing, outdoor games, and nature are a focus of the camp. Daily spiritual discussions, goofy games, music, crafts, yummy food, and general camp mayhem are part of the fun too! This will be our third year at Horton Center, so talk to some of the kids who have gone to hear all about it!