Christian Education for Children, Youth, and Adults
Families are encouraged to take advantage of the many programs, organized and/or overseen by our specially trained Director of Christian Education, that are designed to instruct and inform the congregation of First Church.
Nursery Care (newborns to age three) is available throughout the morning of worship and for many special programs.
From September through May, Sunday School (children from age 4 through fifth grade) and Youth Classes (Junior High and Senior High) help young people understand the Bible and its relevance to their lives, both now and in the future.
Children 1st grade to 5th grade are invited to join us on Wednesday nights from 6:30-7:30 for our Rock on Christian Kids program. Each week we use a different workshop (art, cooking, music, games, stories, science, and videos) to continue to educate our children on what it means to be a Christian. Music which is lead by our kids' choir director Mary Ann Kershaw is a weekly part of this program.
Youth Groups offer Junior (grades 6 - 8) and Senior High (grades 9 - 12) youth retreats, discussions, outreach projects, and just plain fun! Events are planned monthly by our Youth Subcommittee of Christian Education. To find out what's going on call the church.
In order to participate in offsite youth events a medical release form needs to be on file. These need to be renewed annually as they are only good for one school year. To download a Medical Release form click here.
During the summer First Church hosts an ecumenical Peace Camp, a week for children entering kindergarten to 6th grade can focus on peace and how to be peace makers. Summer camps for various age groups are offered at Pilgrim Hills and Templed Hills through the UCC Ohio Conference. Grandparent Camp is especially popular, as is Labor Day Family Camp. Scholarships are available.
Adult Education programs are offered during the academic year on most Sunday mornings after worship and after most Wednesday Night Suppers. The topics explored, many of which are suggested by members, range from the Bible and the foundations of our faith, to current ethical issues such as the death penaty, to reports by representatives of organizations we support, to more mundane matters matters such as training volunteers to use the First Church kitchen.
Our Whole Lives, a series of sexuality education curricula for five age groups: grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9, grades 10-12, and adults, was developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) and the United Church of Christ (UCC). For more information go to www.ouuf.org/owl.html