Christian Education Ministry

Christian Education Ministry Mission: 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.

LOGOS: One of our most exciting programs is LOGOS This midweek, four-part program is for youth in 1st through 6th grades. The four parts are Bible Time (to study the word) Worship Time (to learn how to worship God through drama, music, puppets) Family Time (sharing a meal as a part of God's family) Play Time (experience great fun at the expense of no one else) The LOGOS group meets most Wednesdays 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. from October through April.

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 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. September through May.

Confirmation Class : Taught by our Director for Youth and Family Ministries, our confirmation class meets once a week during the Christian Education time in Room 11. The curriculum used is based on Professing Our Faith, a PC(USA) publication, along with the study Catechism and Living By the Book . Each Confirmand is also paired with an adult member of the congregation, who serves as a "Mentor" through the Confirmation process and together they move through a workbook titled Making Disciples. Baptism is required for church membership but not to participate in the class. Classes run from Rally Day until approximately Pentecost.

Youth Fellowships: The Junior High Fellowship includes youth in 7th through 8th grades while Senior High fellowship includes 9th through 12th graders. Both meet on Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. 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, Easter breakfast, leading a worship service, fundraisers and so much more -- they are active groups!

HeBrews: HeBrews is our Bible study and fellowship group for young adults aged 18-25ish, and meets most Saturday afternoons from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the church.

Adult Bible Study: Led by several adults from our congregation, our Adult Bible Study meets in Room 12/13 on Sunday mornings from 9:00 - 10:15 a.m. from September through May, and from 8:00 - 9:15 a.m. during the summer. Discussions include a range of Biblical topics in both the Old and New Testaments, with an occasional video series as well.

Pathfinders: With a balanced volunteer team to lead, the Pathfinders discussion group meets on Sunday mornings in the K. Lounge from 9:10 to 10:15 a.m from September through May. It is Sunday school for adults and more. Here a few past topics: What Presbyterians Believe, Keeping Your Appointments With God, health issues (mental, physical and financial), the homeless problem in Green Bay, a study of the life of C.S. Lewis, outreach efforts, learning about different faiths and building a community. All adults are welcome to join. Current topics can be found in the church bulletin, newsletter or Pathfinders page.

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. Each summer, we hold a Vacation Bible School, using the Group VBS curriculum, from which we have used the wildly successful Serengeti Trek, Lava Lava Island, Fiesta!, Avalanche Ranch, Crocodile Dock and the upcoming High Seas Expedition programs!

Nursery Care / Extended Session: Child care is provided on Sunday mornings in both our Tiny Tot nursery and our Extended Session. A nursery for infants and toddlers up to three years of age is provided from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the summer). 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.

An Extended Session of learning and play is provided for children age 3 through first grade, beginning after the children's message during the 10:30 a.m. service (9:30 a.m. in the summer). The Extended Session is held in the lower level of the building in the Preschool Room, and the children are supervised by parent volunteers.

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.