Children and Youth
OUR CURRICULUM
We are pleased to be utilizing Cokesbury’s “One Room Sunday School” curriculum. This curriculum offers ways of teaching our children our faith traditions and Bible stories while introducing ways of relating these principles into everyday life.
COMMUNICATION
The church school bulletin board, located right outside the sanctuary, is a great place to find information on upcoming events and even pictures of what has been going on in the church school. We request your email address right away so we can keep you updated on any new happenings in our church school.
Finally, be sure to keep an eye out for your monthly newsletter. It will arrive via email or regular mail, and hard copies are also available at church. It will feature an up-to-date calendar of events and interesting articles about what’s happening here.
SPECIAL EVENTS
First Congregational Church of Westfield has a very active social calendar! Along with many delicious church suppers (Mac and Cheese night, Spaghetti dinner, Harvest dinner, Corned Beef night), we offer many activities for families and children over the year including:
*Parents Day Out *Caroling *Wii night
*Family game night *Bright Nights bus trip *Caroling
*Vacation bible school *Bake Sale *PJ Day
And much much more!!!
NURSERY
Located on the second floor, our Nursery is a fresh, clean space with age appropriate toys and furnishings. We encourage our babies and toddlers to spend an hour of rest, play, story time and music in the nursery. It’s a wonderful way for your children to begin to forge friendships with kids they’ll know for many years. Currently, we have one nursery “leader” and two nursery helpers each week.
PARENT PARTICIPATION
Just like other organizations and activities that your children participate in, our church program must have the help of all participating families to deliver the best possible experience for your children. The Church School Committee and I look forward to all participating households providing support in at least one way (teaching, nursery, special events, etc.) Please see the Parent Participation Options and note how you can benefit the program with your special talents and interests. …you’re sure to meet some terrific kids and make some new friends along the way too!
PARENT PARTICIPATION OPTIONS
TEACHING Teaching generally 3 or 4 Sundays a year
Be a substitute teacher: You would receive a call to fill in one to 3 sundays
SHEPHERDS
Help out in the classroom as need arise: 3-4 Sundays a year minimum
FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
Help with high school youth activities
Help at a fellowship event like movie night, craft night, church dinner etc.
NURSERY & CHILDCARE – Sunday morning and non-Sunday morning care
Nursery Care Providers- Sunday mornings
Childcare Providers – after service or evenings of activities
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL- Usually held the first week of August:
Sunday through Thursday evening
This is run by volunteers of our church and Church School Committee
Many hands are needed to make this program a success
Please take some time to consider where your talents best be put to use
within our Church School. Your help is very much appreciated!
Here are some more ways that you can support your children and Sunday School:
- Bring your child to Sunday School to show that you consider faith a priority.
- Utilize the take-home materials to review the lessons your child is learning, and ask your child about the lessons.
- Look for creative opportunities to have open-ended, thought-provoking conversations about faith and God.
- Get to know your child’s Sunday School teachers.
- Come and observe Sunday School – to manage the numbers, please let Carrie know when you’d like to come.
- Participate in the fellowship groups
Director of Children and Family Ministries, Carrie Salzer.
Come and join the fun!