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Curriculum
The 2 Year Old through 4 - 5 Year Old classes use “Bible Quest,” an ecumenical curriculum designed to introduce children to basic faith concepts. The Kindergarten Class uses “Godly Play,” which teaches children the Bible stories in a worship context. It also invites each child to express something in the story through an art response of their own design, i.e. clay, paints, collage, etc. The First Grade Classes spend the fall season studying curriculum designed to prepare them to participate in worship; Touch the Water, Taste the Bread and Worship Readiness.
First Church offers an experiential approach on Sunday morning for children in Grades 2 through 6. It is a rotational creative workshop model in which children work with and explore Bible stories and other stories of faith, using a variety of creative methods and targeting specific learning styles. Current creative workshops include: "The Cinema," "Holy Club Cafe," "Computer
Lab," "Art Studio," "Stage Door," and "The Arcade."
FIRST CHURCH HOLY CLUB
Children & Family Ministries has named it's elementary age Sunday School
program "First Church Holy Club,"patterned after the original Holy Club
formed by John and Charles Wesley. Each grade level forms a covenant of
their own making, which includes such things as read the Bible, pray,
etc. Every Sunday morning before their creative workshop begins each
grade spends 15 minutes in a "Holy Club" session where they discuss their
covenant and what they've been doing to fulfill it, work on memorizing
scripture verses, recite them to their class shepherd, and receive recognition
for the awards they've earned. "First Church Holy Club" also includes
an award program where children can earn a "First Church Holy Club" tee
shirt, plus patches through memorizing scripture verses and doing a variety
of activities in the areas of "Acts of Service," " Acts of Devotion,"
"Acts of Gratitude," and "Acts of Discipleship." Children receive their
patches at an Award Assembly, several times throughout the year.
Faith in the Family
Faith in the Family Sunday School Class is a group of parents (who still have children at home) that meets weekly at 9:30am. in The United Methodist Center, Room # . They study a variety of topics, all of which relate back to faith as related to parenting. Visitors are not only welcome, but also encouraged to “try us out!”
Carol Choir Parents Study Group
Parents of children in the Carol Choir (Kindergarten through 2nd Grade)
meet on Sunday morning from 8:50 to 9:20 a.m. in the Jr. High room in the United
Methodist Center for study and fellowship. Any parent is welcome, and
child care is available for younger children.
Families in Worship
Kid’s kits are provided for children 3-6 years and 7-12 years of age at all three worship services on Sunday morning. They are located on carts at the back of the sanctuary. The items inside the kit are designed to enable parents to involve their children in worship. An instruction sheet is included.
Pre-Teen Fellowship Group
This group offers fifth and sixth graders an opportunity to participate in monthly Sunday evening programs that are designed to build Christian community among the pre-teens. The meetings includes a light evening meal and a variety of activities, including games and circle time. The group also has limited number of meetings off campus throughout the year, i.e. A Beach Party, A Mall Scavenger Hunt, etc. It runs from September through May each year.
4th Grade Bible Presentation & Trip
Every fall fourth grade children are presented Bibles during worship on Christian Education Sunday. This is followed by a day retreat at a beach house, which includes a meal, swimming and time on the beach, as well as studying the curriculum, “Learning to Use My Bible.”
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