Christian Education and Youth Groups                 

Our Christian Education and Youth Ministries Team oversees the development of the children and youth's Christian faith and spiritual growth, teaching them about the love of God and encouraging them to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

For information about the 2011-2012 Church School and Youth Programs, be sure to read the CE booklet A Guide to Christian Education and Youth Ministry at BCCUCC 2011-2012   or click on the specific links on the page below*.

                2011-12 Church School Registration Form*         
* If you registered your child last year, you’ll only need to update & initial your 10-11 form on a Sunday morning.     

                                                         Volunteer Application Form  

Most of the information you may be looking for can be found in the booklet
A Guide to Christian Education and Youth Ministry at BCCUCC  2011-2012

Church School Calendar

Children's Choir

Children's Offering

Church School Registration

Communion Sunday

Confirmation

Curriculum

Godly Play

Gathering Sunday

How Church School Happens

Jubilation Sunday

KLF Scholarship

Mission Trip

Nursery Care

Pilgrim Fellowship

Seekers

Special Events

Volunteering

Worship for All Ages

Gathering Sunday marks the beginning of a new church school year and is on Sunday, September 11th, 2011.   Gathering Sunday also marks the return to the 10:00 a.m. worship service time.  There is an all-church picnic following worship and all are welcome.

Registration for Church School                  2011-2012 Church School Registration Form*

* If you registered your child last year, you’ll only need to update & initial your current form on a Sunday morning during September. To register a child for the first time, please complete this registration form.

All children from nursery through 12th grade must be registered for church school each year in order to comply with our Safe Church Policy.   Click on the red link above to download a registration form.  Please complete a separate registration form for each child.  Children need to be registered in the same grade for church school as they are in their academic school.  In addition, a child must turn three by September 1 in order to attend the preK class. 

Nursery Care for infants and toddlers age 3 and under, is offered every Sunday morning throughout the year.

On the first Sunday of every month, we share communion. On the first Sunday of November and January children will gather in the Library of the Education Building at 10:00 for a special children's communion service.

Worship for all ages in Sanctuary

There are some Sundays when Church School will not be offered. On these special Sundays, if other programming is not scheduled in the Education Building, you are invited and encouraged to bring your children to worship with you.

We offer the following church school programs on Sunday mornings:

GODLY PLAY  for Pre K through Grade 6

Godly Play is Montessori-based and our classes make use of sensory materials that the children can see and feel - wooden figures, sand, fabric, and laminated images help children focus and become part of the stories.  The classes also give the children the freedom to choose their own ‘work’ (a.k.a. play!) to explore their creativity and to discover their own answers to deep questions about life.  Teachers are guides, rather than people who dictate answers.

There are two teaching roles in Godly Play.  The storyteller ‘anchors’ the circle of children and helps them get ready, shares the story, wonders with the children, and aids them in choosing their work for the morning.  The doorkeeper (greeter) supports the children move through the transitions as they enter the room, engage in the story, leave the circle, engage in work, care for the room, and say goodbye.

Seekers   Grades 7-8

A Sunday morning program for Grades 7-8  focusing on faith formation and spirited discussion.

Confirmation marks the beginning of a journey toward adulthood in which an individual takes responsibility for shaping their own values and faith. They also discover how to express these values in daily life, affirming the vows of Baptism. This program for 9^th graders will explore these themes together and their roles in our lives of faith: God, Jesus, the Bible, the Holy Spirit, Church History, the U.C.C. We’ll also be bringing an increasing awareness of what it means to live in a world of multiple expressions of faith. We’ll celebrate this diversity while we question, explore, relate, connect, listen, and share together as people of faith.

The Confirmation program is facilitated by Elizabeth Barnum, with support from parents & members.

             Confirmation Sunday: May 13, 2012

We believe it is important that children learn the importance of stewardship of church & community from a young age.  Offering is received in church during the children's time and a portion of the proceeds go to benefit Heifer International. Children’s offering envelopes are available from the Narthex table.

Our Sing and Celebrate Children's Choir is for children in grades 1-6.  This is a wonderful way for the young people of our church to learn to sing in a choir and to actively participate in the worship service.  The choir sings a variety of age appropriate music.  Rehearsals for the youth choir take place immediately after church in Room 9 and they usually sing in the worship service one Sunday each month.

There are two youth groups:  Junior Pilgrim Fellowship (Jr. PF) for youth in 6th, 7th and 8th grade,  and Senior Pilgrim Fellowship (Sr. PF) for youth in high school.

JrPF (Junior Pilgrim Fellowship)   Grades 6-8. 

 SrPF (Senior Pilgrim Fellowship)   Grades 9-12  

Mission Trip 2012  for Grades 9-12

KLF Scholarships                   

The Kathleen L. Fodor (KLF) Memorial Scholarships are available to members of Barrington Congregational Church, UCC, who are pursuing education or training beyond high school, and are awarded in June each year.  Selection is made by random drawing and in 2011 two $400 scholarships were awarded on Baccalaureate Sunday, June 12^th.  

The scholarships are open to graduating seniors, as well as to those students presently attending a secondary or graduate school, who have completed the confirmation process, and are currently a member of Barrington Congregational Church, U.C.C. 

These scholarships are made possible through donations by family and friends of Kate, and are administered by the Christian Education and Youth Ministries Team.  Questions? Contact Andrea Bullard, Christian Education Assistant. 

Special Events                                   * ALL ARE WELCOME *

In addition to Sunday mornings in the Sanctuary and Education Building, there are some other special services & times in the church calendar when you’re invited to gather with us for special multi-generational events.

 
Jubilation Sunday ~ Pentecost      Sunday, May 20^th  2012 at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary

This celebration will be led by Church School Children.  This special service will be followed by a delicious All Church Picnic, Pie Contest and Sale. Save the date! These are events not to be missed. The children and their teachers and assistants make this celebration a special one.

It really does ‘take a village’ to nurture Christian faith in children and young people. We hope and expect that parents, caregivers, and other interested adults in the church community will offer their time and talents throughout the program year.  If you are interested in volunteering, please complete a Volunteer Interest Form as well as a Volunteer Application Form and return them either to Andrea Bullard, CE Assistant, or to the church office. We help provide you with the information and resources that you’ll need to enjoy the experience and grow in faith. 

Volunteers are also needed to help with the various special events planned throughout the year.  It's never too late to volunteer!