Christian Education Ministry
The Christian Education Ministry will provide opportunities and leadership which will encourage and nurture spiritual growth in Christians of all ages in our faith communities, exposing them to the beauty of God's word and its meaning in their lives and enabling them to become more Christ-like as they journey through life.
To best insure our childrens' safety, First United Presbyterian Church has all teachers, child care workers and volunteers checked for crimes against children.
Sunday School
Our Sunday school has classes for children starting at age 3 and going through high school. We provide two or more teachers and aides for each of the 10 classrooms in the church building. The Gospel Light curriculum has been used for several years and is just wonderful! Classes meet Sunday mornings from 8:30 to 9:30am (the Senior High class meets from 11am to noon) September through May.
Confirmation Class
Many youth are baptized as infants. At each baptism this congregation assumes responsibility to nurture the individual in the Christian life (Book of Order W2.3013). As a portion of our dedication to nurturing, our church offers confirmation on an annual basis to persons 9th grade and above. This is not the end of the nurture our church provides. It is, however, a well recognized step along the faith journey of many who grow up in Christian homes. For some not baptized as infants, Confirmation Class may be the time he or she makes a knowledgeable declaration of God’s grace in Christ and is baptized as part of a public profession of faith. Our Confirmation Class meets once a week during the Christian Education hour (8:30-9:30am) in the Senior High room (Room 11). The curriculum used is based on Professing Our Faith, a PC(USA) publication. Each Confirmand is also paired with an adult member of the congregation, who serves as a "Mentor" through the Confirmation process. Together they move through a workbook titled Making Disciples. Baptism is required for full church membership, but not required just to participate in the class. Classes run from Rally Day until the end of May.
Youth Fellowships
The Middle High Fellowship includes youth in 7th through 8th grades while Senior High fellowship includes 9th through 12th graders. Both meet on Wednesdays 6:30 - 8pm at the church. The youth fellowships run from September until May but also have summer activities. Some of their events include: the church picnic, camp retreats, lock-ins, helping the men's club bake fruitcakes, helping the women's club with mission projects, working at local shelters or food pantries, Christmas program, leading a worship service, fundraisers, and so much more - they are active groups!
Awakenings
Last year's Adult Bible Study and "Pathfinders" classes have been combined to form a new adult Christian Education class called AWAKENINGS. They explore books of the Bible, look at contemporary issues facing Christians, delve into Presbyterian thinking, pray, laugh, learn, discuss, and connect with old and new friends. AWAKENINGS meets Sunday mornings from 8:30 to 9:30am in the Koinonia Lounge from Sept. 12 through May. Weekly topics can be found in the weekly church bulletins or the monthly newsletter.
Nursery Care
Child care is provided on Sunday mornings during the Christian Education and worship time from 8:30 until 11am for infants and toddlers up to age three. The Tiny Tot Nursery is located in Room 109 on the upper level of the building and is most easily accessed through the Wabanauqua Trail entrance on the west side of the building. The nursery is staffed by a paid nursery caregiver and parent volunteers, and a call system is available for parents through use of a portable paging device.
Library
Our church has a library filled with a wide range of reading materials as well as videos. Many selections are added each year through budget funding and memorial donations. Congregation members are encouraged to make suggestions for items they feel would be beneficial. Our librarian has established a well organized check out system.
Summer Programs
Every summer the C.E. Ministry likes to plan at least one event per month for all age groups. This is not a church that closes during the summer! There have been mission trips to other states and local mission work in our own community. Music festivals, visits to water parks, and even a week-long service project event, all with a bit of Christian programming weaved throughout. We hold a Vacation Bible School every summer, most often using the Group VBS curriculum including the wildly successful Serengeti Trek, Lava Lava Island, Fiesta!, Avalanche Ranch, Crocodile Dock and most recently - the High Seas Expedition programs!