Christian Education — An Overview

East Church Steeple

The philosophy and leadership of the Christian Education ministry are focused on the well-being, spirituality and education of individuals and the church as a whole.

Under the leadership of East Church’s C.E. Director Pamela Curran, the Sunday School program puts children first and provides excellent support for teachers. Intergenerational events provide fellowship and education for the whole community.

“For me, as a Sunday School teacher, the most important element of the Christian Education program is the children. Their joy and exuberance are uplifting and contagious. Their answers and questions are inspiring. Many a Sunday afternoon, I find myself pondering what some child has said on Sunday morning. Thank you to all of you who share your children with me for Sunday School.”

Jean - Teacher

The Christian Education Ministry is carried out by a group of adults who facilitate all aspects of Christian Education. Anyone with an interest is invited to participate in this important ministry of the church. The following paragraphs present a glimpse of what we offer for all ages.


Sunday School

Curriculum:

Sunday School starts for children at age three and continues through the eighth grade. The youngest children use the Bible Quest curriculum. The Bible Quest curriculum is flexible, fun and provides a strong foundation of Bible stories and concepts which are so important throughout life. These Bible basics help the children begin to understand our God. The stories are supported with songs, crafts and games that seem to help the children grasp the meaning as much as possible.

The older children use the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum, one that follows the cycle of seasonal readings for the church year. Depending on the age, children hear stories, do arts and crafts, drama and other interactive exercises to learn the biblical story. The curriculum also relates the texts to contemporary events.

Both curricula highlight the love and grace of God for all God’s children and the welcoming message of the gospel that Jesus proclaimed.


church school classchurch school class

Schedule:

“I like Sunday School because it makes me feel welcome and happy.”

Zack, Age 8

On the first Sunday of the month we invite children to participate with their families in the communion service. East Church welcomes all to the Lord’s table to share in communion.The ultimate decision as to whether or not a child will receive communion is made by the parents.

On school vacation weekends and some holidays we hold a “Group Sunday School” with a short worship service and a group activity to follow.

Sunday Morning childcare (Nursery)

childcare Nursery care is provided for infants and toddlers in the playrooms adjacent to Fellowship Hall.One or two adults and an assistant care for the children. We encourage parents to arrive at church fifteen minutes before the service starts to get children settled in and have their nametags on.

There is a changing facility with wipes and some diapers in the Women’s rest room in the large stall.The nursery teachers may read from “The Beginner’s Bible” and have corresponding coloring pages with large crayons for toddlers to use.There is also a wide assortment of children’s toys.

Children’s message

“I like going to class and doing the art projects.”

Victoria, 2nd Grade

Each Sunday the children receive an age-appropriate bulletin as they enter the sanctuary.These bulletins follow the lectionary reading of the day and are designed to teach as well as allow children to pass time constructively until church begins.

The pastor, the Christian Education Director, or a lay leader of the church will deliver a short Children’s message right in front of the altar early in the service.Children in Sunday school are invited to come down in front to hear it before being led to their classes.

Confirmation classes

“Our son’s confirmation was in many ways a confirmation for our family in the church..”

Carla, parent

At East Congregational Church, the two-year confirmation process strikes an important balance between the community and the individual. Through classroom lessons, team-building excursions, and group trips to volunteer at shelters, teens begin to understand young people’s roles in their community. Through one-on-one guidance and introspective forays, a teen is given the chance to explore a personal relationship with God and Jesus.

Threaded through this process is an emphasis on personal discovery, not dogma.

The class is team taught by lay volunteers in conjunction with the Pastor.

Each confirmand is required to write a statement of faith. The process ends with an empowering ceremony before the congregation, one in which the confirmands create their own mark on the church. But rather than recognizing the end of a curriculum, the ceremony marks the beginning of a journey.


Christian Education Resources

A valuable resource for continuing Christian Education for children, youth and adults is East Church’s Schroeder Library.

Youth Group

youth in kitchen for pancake breakfast The junior high youth group is open to students in the 7th and 8th grades. The senior high youth group is open to students in 9th thru 12th grades.Both groups are led by a pair of lay leaders of the church with the support of the Christian education director and the pastor.The groups’ focus is on having fun, enjoying fellowship together, and serving the community.They meet every other week throughout the school year, and have taken field trips to the Beckett conference center, and participated in the overnight “Night Watch” program at Saint John the Divine cathedral in New York City in the past few years.

Youth Sunday

Each winter the junior and senior high classes, under the direction of the youth leaders and the pastor, prepare and present a Sunday worship service.In past years these services have been among the most memorable. The “Silent Service”, “That New Thing” and “The Three Talents” have melded the fresh perspectives of our youth to inspire us all.

Children’s Day

“Sunday School makes me feel special because I know that my teachers and the rest of the church family really care about me.”

Josh, Age 11

In the spring the congregation is treated to a special service run by the Sunday school children.This is the day we hear our young ones recite the Lord’s Prayer and the 23rd Psalm in front of the congregation for the first time.Third graders receive their own Bible with a special verse underlined personally for them.We also recognize our teachers and lay youth leaders for all their efforts.

Palm Sunday donkey rides

We re-enact Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday every year.Your child can ride a donkey in our parking lot through a crowd waving palm fronds and shouting “Hosanna”.It’s really cool.

Christmas Eve Pageant

Our Christmas service involves all ages, as our littlest ones are costumed as shepherds and lambs, Wise Men and stars, and one lucky family gets to play the role of Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus.It is never tightly scripted, but always deeply meaningful.

Adult education

adult bible study Throughout the year there are opportunities for adults to deepen their faith by taking part in book studies.Periodically after the service there are sermon feedback sessions.There is a Bible study group that meets at 8:30 Sunday morning in the parlor.


Emma J. Schroeder Library

“It is a great joy to teach children in our church school and I hope it makes a difference in their lives.”

Ann, Teacher

Schroeder Library The Adult Library at East Church, housed in the Chapel, is open to everyone in the Church Community. Books, magazines and videos are included in the collection which is organized in a simplified Dewey Decimal system. The left side of the library as you enter contains fiction and nonfiction for adults; the right side contains fiction and nonfiction for young readers. You may borrow any material for as long as you wish. We ask only that you be considerate of others who may wish to borrow the same materials and return them promptly when you are finished.

The Library’s purpose is to encourage lifelong learning through reading good books of all types, and we attempt to have something of interest to everyone.

Other events

The Christian Education committee schedules events throughout the year to encourage all ages in our community to get together for fun or service.For the past few years we have held:

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