The Union Church In Waban

For Children and Youth

“And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” Isaiah LIV, 13

It begins with “wondering” What does God look like?  Why do we die? Was Jesus a real person?  Where is heaven? Children ask a lot of questions, many of them spiritual questions. They seem to know intuitively that there is a sacred dimension to their lives. The Christian Education program at the Union Church in Waban tries to provide children with the words and means to name that spiritual experience, to recognize it, and to learn how that experience can shape, direct, and enrich their lives. Through Bible stories, art projects, drama and music, formal and informal gatherings, holiday events, and community service, the children of Union Church learn not only what it means to be good but to do good. As an interdenominational church affiliated with the United Church of Christ, our congregation includes members raised in a variety of religious traditions; a significant number of our members are committed to interfaith marriages and partnerships. What this spiritual diversity means for our children is that while they experience a primarily Christian liberal theology, they learn to appreciate and respect other ways of “naming” the sacred. The children grow in relation to God using the rich resources of our familiar traditions while remaining open to the wisdom of other faiths. Science can tell us the “how” of creation; we seek to help our children explore the “why.”

Responding to the wonder and mysteries of creation and the presence of God begins in childhood and, one hopes, continues for a lifetime. At Union Church, we strive to provide a comfortable environment which lends itself to asking questions and seeking answers openly and honestly. We nurture a sense of being at home so that our children might feel at home in church as adults. One of the ways we do this is by asking members of the congregation to volunteer as Sunday school teachers. It is an enriching experience for both children and adults.

Curriculum

Our PreK through 5th grade Church School classes use The Whole People of God, an ecumenical, inclusive, and lectionary-based curriculum which provides common ground between what happens in worship and what happens in the Church School classrooms, thereby furthering the intergenerational nature of our church.  More information on this curriculum can be found at www.wholepeopleofgod.com.

Our Junior High class, called Faith Seekers, uses “Connect: Life and Faith for Young Teens”. This is a topical, activity based program with short units of 3 to 5 weeks. Topics are a mix of current events, junior high life issues and faith questions. We take the kids’ lives and concerns as a starting point and help them make connections to faith.

Throughout the year, a variety of fellowship, worship and service activities allow our children and youth to participate in the life of faith-filled community and to enrich their spiritual development.

Nursery

Infants and toddlers up to age four may attend the morning worship service with their parents or go to our Nursery where they are supervised by professional staff.  The nursery is located downstairs in the Rainbow Room and is open Sundays from 9:45a until the conclusion of worship. In addition to lots of play time, a short story, song and craft time is also offered.

Church School

Our church school classes are:

Noah’s Ark                 PreK –Kindergarten   Turtle Room

Faithful Friends        1st & 2nd Grades       Littlehale Room

Disciples                      3rd – 5th Grades        Meeting Room

Faith Seekers              Junior High                 Muse Room

On most Sundays, children begin in worship with their families, then move to church school classes at the conclusion of the children’s message. On the first Sunday of each month, children return to worship to join in Communion.  On those Sundays, in between the children’s message and Communion, all children gather together for a time of singing, movement and story.

One Room Church School

On various special Sundays throughout the year all children attend a One Room Church School rather than their regular classes.  Children will help lead and participate in specially-designed children’s worship, then play games meant to foster intergenerational community, while learning about our faith traditions.

Children’s Choir

Music Director Bill Merrill rehearses with our Children’s Choir every Sunday after Church School. Children in grades PreK through six will be led to the Littlehale room directly after their classes end.  A snack will be provided followed by about twenty minutes of practice.  We enjoy our Children’s Choir in worship five – six times during the year.

Youth Group

Junior and Senior High youth are invited to our youth group which meets about every other Sunday from 4:30p – 6:00p.   See the website calendar for the schedule of meetings. UCW kids and their friends are welcome! Youth Group provides an accepting, comfortable and fun environment where kids have opportunities to experience God in conversations, games, sports, service, food, music and worship.

Bible and Sacrament Education for 3rd – 5th Graders

In the Fall, our Disciples (3rd – 5th graders) receive Bibles as a special gift from the church in recognition of their growing maturity and responsibility.  This year, Bibles are given in a special ceremony during worship on November 20.  Preceding this special day is a Bible class held on three Monday nights throughout the fall from 4:30-6p. During these meetings children are introduced to the Bible through fellowship and a variety of experiential activities.

On Good Friday, April 6, 2012, all third through fifth graders are invited to an overnight Communion Retreat at the church.  Our goal is twofold.  First we’ll learn what Communion is all about.  We’ll see a video about what really happened at the first Communion, we’ll talk about what’s supposed to happen when we take Communion, we’ll have a Deacon show us how Communion is prepared, and we’ll bake the bread to be used in Communion on Easter.  Second, we’ll have a lot of fun with the church building all to ourselves on a Friday night.  We’ll play dodgeball and flashlight tag, and we’ll eat a lot of good food.  The retreat begins with dinner at 6pm on April 6 and ends after breakfast on April 7.

For Adults

Living Water Prayer Circle.  Monday morning 7:30 – 8:15am we will be gathering in the small chapel off the sanctuary for prayer.  This time of prayer will be called “Living Water” based on the passage in John’s Gospel where Jesus encounters the Samaritan women at the well (John 4:14).  It will give us an opportunity to drink in the stillness of the peace and presence of God so that we will be filled and will not thirst as we go into the business of our weeks.  After a moment of centering silence, we will briefly offer up to each other what is on our hearts — what we ask the others to hold in prayer for us in the week to come.  We will then listen deeply to a brief passage from scripture,  listening with our whole selves for the word of God for us this day and then share briefly what we have heard.  In closing we will light candles of prayers for celebrations and/or concerns we may have. 

Sunday Morning Bible Study.  Every  Sunday from 8 – 9:00am we gather to study scripture and reflect on how God’s word informs our living today.  We will begin our study with the Gospel of Mark and will take the next eight weeks to make our way through the book.  While we will certainly learn a lot about the time of Christ and challenges the Jesus movement faced during the time in which scholars believe the Gospel account was written, we will also create a safe and sacred space in which as disciples in this time and place, we can hear what it is God may be calling us to in our own life.   We are holding Bible study at this time so that there will not be a conflict for those who would like to sing in the choir.  So please consider making a morning of it – Bible Study, Choir and then worship!  Please see Stacy with your questions/comments.

Lunch Bunch.  The second Wednesday of very month, the lunch bunch gathers from 12:00 – 1:30 for a time of conversation and fellowship in the reception room.  Our time together consists of checking in on the happenings in our lives followed by  presentation on a particular topic of interest by the Minister and discussion.  Bring a brown bag lunch  and enjoy the dessert that is provided.

Book Group.  The book group meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm in the parlor for conversation and sharing.

Wellspring Women’s Group.  This group meets the third Wednesday of the month from 6:30pm – 8pm in the Reception Room.  We begin with a simple meal of soup and bread, then enter a time of reflection, sharing and prayer.