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Christian Education Mission Statement
“We celebrate all people as children of God embarking on their own spiritual journey. We provide opportunities for everyone to experience God by connecting real faith to real life. Through Christian Education we seek to provide every participant with a meaningful spiritual foundation.”
The Board for Christian Education develops and implements the church’s educational programs for children, youth and adults. Specific programs include Sunday morning Church School for infants through 8 th graders; skills training for teachers; worship and mission experiences; faith development opportunities for teachers, parents and families; comprehensive programs for junior highs, senior highs and young adults; summer camp and retreats at CCC’s West Virginia retreat house.
Nursery Care
Care is provided during the worship service for infants and young toddlers in the Nursery, Room 106 on the main floor.
During the 10:30 worship service, two-year-olds are cared for downstairs in Room 003.
Church School
Church School for children age 3-8th grade occurs during the 10:30 worship period. Childcare is available for infants and toddlers. The children gather in worship with their families and are dismissed for their classes following the Time with Children in the service. Youth in 9th—12th grades are encouraged to participate in morning worship services.
Our curriculum for children ages 3-5th grade employs a rotation style of teaching and learning. Preschoolers (3 and 4-year-olds) remain in the same room each Sunday while the others (K – 5 th grade) move weekly. Accentuating our multiple styles of learning, students rotate through “stations” in the course of 3-4 weeks that present a common theme in a different way. Music, drama, storytelling, cooking, science and the creative arts help the children experience a story or concept from our scripture in a hands-on and memorable way. It’s FUN!
For the 2007-2008 year our unit themes are Creation, Who Is Jesus?, Advent/Christmas, The Ten Commandments, Triumphal Entry, and Breakfast on the Beach.
The 7-8th grade (middle school) church school class meets in Room 206. The students and teachers discuss and experience a series of topics which have interest and hold insight into our practicing what we preach. Unit themes may include Eco-Spirituality, The High Holy Days and World Religions, The 10 Commandments and other guidelines for daily living, and Being a Just Peace and Anti-Racist Church .
On monthly Communion Sundays, the first Sunday of the month, children in kindergarten and older attend worship. Preschoolers go to their classrooms following the Time with Children. Communion Sundays are especially all ages oriented. Music, readings, and ritual seek to engage a spectrum of participants.
CCC has a wonderful Children’s Library in Room 107. It is an excellent resources for families in the ongoing ministry of raising children of faith. And on the second floor lobby there are book shelves housing our Adult Library. All are welcome to browse and check out the books there.
Children
and Youth are not the
church of the future: they
are the
church of the present. In
them we
catch a glimpse of the divine.
Youth Programs
CCC’s Sunday evening youth program includes youth grades 5—12. Fifth and sixth grade youth meet monthly on the second Sundays. The evening begins with 6 PM supper provided by an assigned rotation of parents. There is a brief worship time followed by youth going to designated areas for further activity.
We provide a human sexuality curriculum, Our Whole Lives, every other year for youth in 5th—8th grades. Senior high youth participate in O.W.L. every third year. The 2007-2008 year does not contain O.W.L.
Covenant Class, CCC confirmation, meets Sunday evenings as part of youth night. This class involves 9th graders and older students who have yet to be confirmed.
CCC Youth Ministry building blocks are service, worship, education and recreation. Throughout the entire year CCC youth have opportunities to explore and claim their faith. There are seasonal retreats to the Retreat House and elsewhere; weeklong Retreat House summer camps; service projects locally and beyond; adventures to exotic places such as NYC and the Appalachian Trial; and opportunities to plan and lead prayer and worship services.
All our children and youth programs are dependent on volunteer leadership. We do not have a youth director to organize events. Adults and youth come forward with ideas and a willingness to make things happen. The Board for Christian Education provides leadership support.
All our children and youth programs are dependent on volunteer leadership. We do not have a youth director to organize events. Adults and youth come forward with ideas and a willingness to make things happen. The Board for Christian Education provides leadership support.
Camps for Children and Youth
The congregation provides one-week camps for children and youth. The camps are held at Christ Congregational Church’s retreat house in Yellow Spring , West Virginia . There is a nominal cost to cover food and expenses; all staff are members of the congregation who volunteer to work with youth.
Camp Dates for 2008
| Camp |
Dates |
Who |
Directors |
| Elementary Camp |
July 20-26 |
for children completing 3 rd – 5 th grade |
Kathie McConnell, Anne Nicotera, Stephanie Helsing
|
| Middle School |
July 13-19 |
for youth completing 6 th – 8 th grade |
Rev. Sandy Dodson, Cory Gray
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| Senior High |
July 6 – 12 |
for youth completing 9 th – 12 th grades |
Chris Walters |
Click HERE for more information and registration.
Vacation Bible School
| Peace Camp |
August 4-8
9:00 – noon |
for children age 3 through 5 th grade |
Little Friends for Peace |
Music, Children, and Youth
Music is important in the life of Christ Congregational Church. There are choirs for many ages. The choirs include instruments as well as voice.
Read
more about the music program
ADULT
MINISTRIES
The adult education Contemporary Theology class is held on Sunday mornings 9 – 10 AM in the Conference Room and provides fellowship, mutual support, and study of a variety of religious ideas through personal sharing and lively discussion of books and other media. Men and women of all ages and persuasions are welcome as long as they respect and honor those whose beliefs and persuasions may differ from theirs. As always, the class welcomes and is open to anyone who would like to participate.
Anti-Racism
Initiatives
Anti-Racism
Audit Report related to Education
CCC Anti-Racism
Journey Do you want to become involved?
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