Description of offerings for children and youth for the September-June church year
On Sunday mornings, at the 10am service, all children start in the service for the beginning of worship including a hymn, welcome, prayers of the people, scripture passage, and the children’s message. After the children’s message, children/youth head off for religious education (see below) until the end of church when they reconvene with their parents. After church, all are welcome to join us for hospitality time in fellowship hall.
On Thursday afternoons, we have two youth group offerings (see full description below).
Because of difficulty with scheduling at alternate times, we have landed on early release day (Thursday) for Ipswich kids who ahend public school. We are sorry this limits participation for children from other towns or those at private school. However, weekend retreat offerings and intermittent service opportunities will help to offset this imbalance.
We have several ideas for retreats and service, but we are always looking for more ideas and parent volunteers to help plan and lead this with the leadership team.
During the month of December–“Advent” in the church calendar–we have several festive events (cookie walk, children’s fair, wreath-making) and we remember the story of Christmas with a pageant.
During Lent, the 40 days leading up to Holy Week and Easter, we share in traditions and preparations, learning stories of Jesus and songs to offer at Holy Week and Easter services.
Program Information
Sunday Mornings, 10am Service: Religious Education is offered for two distinct age groups (or a mixed age group if five or fewer kids are present)
● Infants/toddlers: Care provided in the nursery/playroom by church staff and a volunteer as needed
● PK-1st grade: Facilitated by staff, and a volunteer as needed
● 2nd-5th grade: Facilitated by Stacey and a volunteer
● Middle School and up: Youth stay in church with families and peers or attend religious education, led by a parent volunteer
● This year, we will be using the curriculum ‘Faith Practices’ from the United Church of Christ. For September and October, the ‘faith practice’ we will be delving into through a variety of methods (i.e., games, scripture, reflecGons, etc.) is ‘keeping Sabbath.’
“Thursdays of Service” – Middle School Youth Group
● Staff meet children at the Ipswich Middle School and drive to the church
● Programming includes check-in time, music making, snack, prayer/reflection time, baking, visiting elders
● Time: from school dismissal (meet at 1:15) to 3:45; pickup is at the church
“Cairnbuilders” – Elementary Youth Group (Thursday afternoons)
● Staff meets Winthrop Elementary kids at dismissal for a walk to the church
● Doyon children: we can provide a pick up with advance notice or drop at church by 2:05pm
● Programming includes check-in time, making art for elders, snack, creation care/ecology projects with Ipswich River Watershed Association, games, and mindful/prayerful moments
● Time: school dismissal (1:50) to 3:45, pickup is at the church
Pathways for Confirmation: offered for children around the age of 13
Kids can choose one or more of these options:
● Community service retreat
● Service Project individually or small group with Rebecca or Stacey
● Participation in regular religious education and/or youth group including:
● Short series of confirmaGon classes or a Confirmation retreat in the Spring
● Confirmation Service will be held on Sunday, April 26, with a celebration following.
Communication: Religious education news can be found in the church’s weekly newsletter. Let us know if you would like to be added to the list.
The Safe Church Policy: All children are protected at First Church by our Safe Church Policy. Children are always supervised by two adults. Our teachers and staff are screened for safety backgrounds, and are trained in the Safe Church principles of the United Church of Christ.
Want to get involved? Email firstuccipswich@gmail.com
First Church in Ipswich, MA 