Vision
Through Christian education we nurture children, youth and adults in spiritual and faith development. As God in Christ and in Spirit continues to work in our lives and in the world, so we continue to learn to live as faithful disciples and further Christ’s mission in the world.

First Congregational UCC is a community that engages in ongoing learning and sharing. In 1997 members of First Congregational UCC decided to add a full time staff person to direct Christian education programs for Children and Youth. Ministerial staff and lay leaders continue to lead programs for adults. Educational programs have at times been more structured (before or after worship forums, fall and Lenten gatherings, Children’s Sunday school) but there is a willingness to try new ideas and directions depending on our needs and passions of staff and members of the congregation (Unwrapping Our Gifts, book studies, Bible study groups, retreats).

Five Year Planning Possibilities
◦ Develop adult education programs that have a continuity of themes (such as social justice, spiritual growth, understanding the faith basis of mission or faith based citizenship) that can be emphasized in a variety of programs over a 1-3 year period. An adult education committee was recently formed made up of members of various boards (CE, BCL, Deacons), ministerial staff, and other interested members of the congregation.
◦ Seek increased lay leadership of adult education programs with the adult education committee acting as facilitators and providing support.
◦ Increase the connections between members who have joined recently and those who have been here for years. Consider having a three year series of classes taught on a rotating basis. While all members would be invited, new members would be “expected” to attend. The series might be structured such that the first year would have classes about what defines First Congregational UCC, the second year could have classes about the nature of the greater Christian church in our time, the third year “Unwrapping our Gifts.” (See “Acts of Welcoming.”)
◦ Expand learning resources available to aid members in their faith development and intentionally promote the use of these materials. Ways to promote might include Tower articles describing available materials or displaying materials in the sanctuary.
◦ Create a curriculum for spiritual growth (prayer, reading, meditation, group sharing and encounter). Example: Provide a printed guide for spiritual study that includes written resources, individual study and study groups. Provide a guide to spiritual growth (might include a suggested list for further reading) for children and youth to distribute to parents.
◦ Develop a curriculum plan/guide (“curriculum mapping”) for children and youth that gives a general overview of what “topics” will be covered at different ages. Provide the guide/plan to parents. Use time other than Sunday school (for example, First Communion for 2nd graders occurs outside of the traditional Sunday school time).
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Staff – staff to provide input and suggestions, leadership as needed, support, serve on committees as needed, help develop proposals, train lay leaders. Lay volunteers to serve on committees, develop proposals, lead programs, train lay leaders
Budget -
Materials for various programs (leaders and participants)
Training for lay leaders
Honoraria for speakers
Publicity for programs within congregation and community wide
Measurement – Track numbers and types of programs and participants, when and length of time offered. Get input/evaluation from participants, parents and youth.