Kids at First
Congregational Church

Director of Christian Education
for Children and Youth
Our full-time Director of Christian Education for Children and Youth is Jeffrey S. Rabe. Questions about Sunday School or other Christian Education activities for younger children can be directed to Jeff at jrabe@firstcongmadison.org or tel. 233-9751.

Worship
Having children in worship is important to us. The entire church family gathers for worship in the sanctuary at 10:00 am. The children stay with their families until the Time with the Children when they talk with Jeff (who often brings surprises in his special suitcase), a minister or a layperson about what the Bible says and how it relates to their lives. Most kids (through 5th grade) leave for Sunday School following the time for children.

Children's bulletins and crayons are available every Sunday at the rear of the sanctuary for the education and worship of our children. These bulletins include pictures and word games related to stories of the Bible and Christian faith that are explored in Sunday School.

Childcare for Infants and Toddlers
Childcare is provided for infants and toddlers in the Nursery on the 3rd (top) floor of the church from 9:15 am to 12 noon. The Nursery is reached by the elevator from the back hall of the church near the parking lot off Lathrop Street. First Congregrational hires qualified Nursery Staff, certified in CPR and First Aid.

Church School
We offer Sunday School classes for PreKindergarten (age 3) to 5th Grade children from 10:15-11:00 on the third floor (following the time for children in the sanctuary).

Curriculum
Our classes use a Bible story-based curriculum. The curriculum uses inclusive language, culturally diverse activities, artwork and music.

Mission Projects
Church School children are involved in several mission projects throughout the year. Projects include UNICEF, food pantries, The Ronald McDonald House and Heifer Project International.

Children and Communion
On the first Sunday of each month children 2nd grade and older (who have participated in learning about Communion) are invited to stay for the whole worship service and participate in Communion with their families.

Whether or not children should participate in Communion has long been a topic of discussion for the church. Are they ready? Will they understand what it means? What is the best time to celebrate first Communion? We determined that since children are asking questions about Communion, they are ready to begin preparation. Participation in Communion, and the full worship service on Communion Sunday, reflects the belief that the church is an extended family/community of which the children are a vital part. As a result of these discussions, First Congregational Church offers Communion preparation classes to 2nd - 5th graders and their families and invites all children 2nd grade and above to be a part of worship on Communion Sundays.

Wee Worship
Younger children (1st grade and under) are invited to participate in Wee Worship --an age-appropriate worship experience--in the Chapel on the first Sunday of the month.

Cherub Choir
Cherub Choir for young children, kindergarten to 4th grade, meets weekly 11:15-11:45. The choir participates in worship on the second Sunday of the month.  Find further information on the webpage for Music Ministries.

• Fall Festival is a picnic-like intergenerational event held in the fall as Sunday School classes begin.
• Advent Workshop is an intergenerational event and a favorite of the children. Usually held the first Sunday of December, the Workshop provides an opportunity for the church family to gather to make gifts and crafts for the Christmas season.
• Christmas Pageant is presented in December by the children and youth of the church.
• Bible Sunday is celebrated in the fall; 2nd graders each receive a Bible as a gift from the church during our morning worship service.
• Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Youth takes place Easter Sunday, following worship.
• Youth Sunday is held in the spring; our children and youth plan and lead the morning worship service.
• Ice Cream Social is an intergenerational event held after worship in late May.
• Vacation Bible School is held during the summer months.

Church Camping Opportunities for Children
The Outdoor Ministry program of the Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ creates communities of the Spirit and preserves sacred spaces for the purpose of spiritual renewal.

United Church Camps, Inc. , on behalf of the Wisconsin Conference and its member churches, provides outdoor ministry opportunities for people of all ages, races, creeds and abilities to foster growth in relationships with God, others and the whole creation.

First Congregational Church encourages participation in church camp experiences for all ages. Pilgrim Center near Ripon and Moon Beach Camp near St. Germain offer a wide variety of camping opportunities for children, youth, adults and families. Camp sponsorship (or camperships) are available through the Board of Christian Education. Annual camp catalogs are available at the back of the sanctuary and outside the church office in the spring.

Visit the website of United Church Camps, Inc. at http://www.ucci.org.