The Children's Ministry of First Congregational Church is committed to reaching and serving today's children.  We reach kids by providing a welcoming atmosphere for all children, including those that are new to our church.  We make church fun and relevant, putting the Good News of Jesus Christ in a kid-friendly package they can open and enjoy!

Preschool/Kindergarten Ministry

Worship
All the children meet together at the beginning of church for a mini-worship session.  At this time they practice lighting the candles for future acolyte service, spend time in prayer concluding with the Lord's Prayer, give their weekly gift, and sing the Doxology and Gloria Patri.  By spending time in this scaled down version of "Big Church" the children feel comfortable and proud that they are familiar with the elements of a church service when they attend service with their parents.

The first Sunday of the month's offering is given to Kid's Kloset and children are encouraged to bring canned goods like pasta products or  peanut butter and jelly.  All monetary gifts given that Sunday from the Sunday School are also given to Kid's Kloset.

Elementary Ministry

The Elementary Ministry of First Congregational Church is split into the following departments:

• 2 and 3 year olds
• Preschool and Kindergarten
• 1st and 2nd grade
• 3rd and 4th grade
• 5th and 6th grade
• Jr. High - 7,8,9th grades

The Jr. High class attends church the first Sunday of the month as a class and attend a regular class the rest of the month.

Nursery
Our nursery attendant is Sara Smith.  Sara took a year off from the nursery and went to China as part of her teaching education.  She is very experienced in our nursery and provides a comfortable and safe environment for all she is in charge of. 

Children's Choir

The Little Angel's Choir is for children ages 3-7 and will rehearse every Wed. from 6:30 - 7:15p.m.  The Children's Choir is for children ages 7 - 5th grade and will rehearse on Wednesdays from 7:15 - 8:00 p.m.  If you have a second grader this year and are unsure which choir may be most appropriate for your child, please contact Tandy Shepard.

Please prayerfully consider having your child join this great opportunity to make new friends, learn some great music and most importantly, sing God's praises!  Your friends and relatives are also most welcome!

DreamKeepers

We provide a spiritual environment where youth develop and nurture a personal relationship with God and equip them to make life choices based on the values taught by Christ.  We are committed to a spiritual, social and service oriented ministry.

Age Appropriate Ministries

We welcome students who have started into 6th grade thru 8th as our Junior High group and students grades 9 thru 12 for Senior High.  The Youth Group "season" begins in the Fall of each year.  We hold a "Kick-off" event to welcome students entering into 6th grade at that time.

Weekly Wednesday Youth Group

Junior High: Grades 6-8
Senior High: Grades 9-12

Youth Activity Center (YAC) - located in our new activity center 
from 6:30pm to 8:30pm

• 6:30 - Games and fellowship

• 7:00 - General assembly, devotion and prayer time

• 8:00 - Fellowship and snack time

Service Projects

We encourage monthly service or mission projects.  Examples include: collecting food for the needy, preparing and serving lunch through the South Oakland Lunch Program, working Vacation Bible School, helping with Sunday School events, working at church events, etc.

Social

To keep teens excited and active, various fun activities happen during the year.  A schedule of events is posted on the Youth Bulletin Board located in the church hallway and also on this website.

Teen Leaders

Teen volunteers represent the youth group at the “Youth Ministries Board” monthly meetings.  This gives the board input from the teen perspective and, in turn, gives the youth an awareness of the decisions made on their behalf.

Fundraising

To support an active youth ministry, we must have fundraising projects throughout the year.  (i.e. bottle & can drive, entertainment book sales, car washes, etc.)  The main source of income, however, comes from supplying food sales at select community events.  Proceeds are divided into several areas.  These areas include support of the General Activity Fund and the Youth Director Fund.

Retreats

• Fall: Kick-off for the new year; 6th graders enter.
• Winter: Spring Hill Camp – fun, but spiritually motivating.
  January 16-18, 2009:  Sr. High camp
• Cost: Approximately $125.00 per teen, per retreat.

Parent Participation

We are committed to this youth ministry and will strive to do everything we can to assure its success.  In order to achieve our goals, however, we need help as drivers, chaperones, concession workers, Youth Center upkeep and maintenance.  Adult volunteers are a very important part of this ministry.

What Our Youth Ministry is About

(Some excerpts are from an article written by veteran youth minister, Chris Perry and published in Youth Magazine)

It’s a high and holy calling to protect adolescents from people and forces that threaten to trip them up.  It’s work that is sanctioned by God and He expects us to do it faithfully.  According to research, two-thirds of all Christians commit their lives to Christ by age 18.

So, if they do not do it now, it is unlikely they will ever do it.  That should both break our hearts and spur us to reach as many kids as we can!