Christian Education Ministry

The First Congregational Church of Downers Grove has a broad Christian Education program for people of all ages:

Sunday School
Holyland Xpress - Schedule
Crib Room
Confirmation - Click HERE for information
Youth Forum
Youth Fellowship
Adult Education
Family Education
Library
Summertime Christian Education Activities
Special Events

Sunday School

9:00 A full Sunday School for children aged 2 through sixth grade is conducted during the 9:00 a.m. service. Sunday School is divided into classes arranged by age or grade level. The 2- and 3-year olds are in one class as are the 4- and 5-year olds. The grade school classes correspond to the children's grade level at elementary school. A comprehensive curriculum is used to provide age appropriate material covering many aspects of Bible stories and church life. Grades 1 through 6 are following what is known as Holyland Express. Children attend the beginning of the worship service in the church sanctuary with their parents and then are excused for Sunday School after the children's sermon.

10:45 Our Celebration Service is designed to be family-friendly, and therefore we do not conduct Sunday School during the second service. Child care is available for infants and toddlers up to 2 years old.

Holyland Xpress

This is an exciting concept in Sunday School teaching that First Congregational began using in January of 1999. We started using this approach to enhance learning and make Sunday School more fun. Instead of traditional classrooms, each Sunday School room is decorated and equipped with materials for a particular workshop. Our workshops include Art, Bible skills and games, Storytelling, Cooking, Music, Video and Drama/Puppets. A unit consists of a 4-5 week lesson plan where the main lesson topic remains the same. Every Sunday within a unit, each grade level rotates to a new workshop that teaches the same lesson or topic in a different way. For example, they might hear the Bible story one week. The next week the lesson might focus on music or an art project. The following week they may watch and/or make a video and then see a puppet show on the fourth week. Multiple lessons on one topic reinforce learning and let the children see a topic from a different perspective. Children who miss some classes still have exposure to the lesson. And the children enjoy this approach.

Holyland Xpress workshop rotation is based on Howard Gardner's work on multiple intelligences. Each workshop concentrates on a different learning style. For more information on the workshop rotation model, go to www.rotation.org.

Crib Room

We have a crib room available at the both the 9:00 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday worship services. Ms. Jenna Eyberger is the main Crib Room attendant. She is aided by a collection of capable adults and teens. Parents can know their infants and toddlers under age two are in good hands while they experience and enjoy the worship service. Pagers are distributed to parents in case of a child's excessive stress or an emergency.

Confirmation

Our confirmation process is a two-year program taught by a team of nine adults headed by one of the pastors. It is usually attended by 7th and 8th graders but is open to anyone in at least 7th grade. The first year's confirmation class is called the Disciples and the second year's class is known as the Apostles. The Disciples meet in a classroom on Sunday mornings during the 9:00 a.m. service.

The Apostles attend the 9:00 a.m. service and meet with team Mentors after the minister's sermon. They also attend a class held on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. Besides the classes, the program also includes field trips to other churches and places of worship as well as mission programs and participation in our church worship services. The Disciples are invited to attend a confirmation camp in the summer after their first year of classes. This camp is conducted in August and includes confirmands from other UCC churches in the Fox Valley Association.

The Apostles attend a Confirmation Retreat shortly before their confirmation where they each write their own personal statement of faith.

Current Disciple and Apostle Schedules can be accessed below:

Youth Forum

A Sunday morning discussion is held for high school aged youth and other interested younger members who have already been confirmed. This is an opportunity for youth and adult leaders to share their faith experiences, concerns and questions in an open, friendly atmosphere. Youth Forum is held during the 9:00 a.m. worship service.

Youth Forum meets continuously from Rally Day until the end of the school year.

Youth Fellowship

Our Youth Fellowship is designed to engage youths from 7th grate through high school. We have two fellowship groups which meet on a weekly basis. The first group is specifically geared toward high school students and meets on Sunday evenings, 5:30-7:00 p.m. The second group is conducted for confirmands and also meets on Sunday evenings, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Both groups participate in retreats, mission trips, and fund raising events such as the CROP Walk and Halloween House. Click on Youth Activities for further information about current events.

Adult Education

Our congregation believes that Christian Education does not end with the confirmation process. Regular Adult Education classes are held throughout the year. Many times we engage speakers to address faith issues such as "Where is the good news in the news stories we read today" and "Why is Jesus so Crucial to our life?" Typically, a short series of classes on a common topic are offered. Sometimes a single class will concentrate on a particular topic of interest. Additionally, we officer adult education programs in conjunction with other church Ministries such as Christian Witness Ministry.

Find out more about this year's educational opportunities.

Family Education

This coming year we will offer two family-oriented educational opportunities. Prior to the Christmas season and during Lent, we encourage families to sign up for our weekly family-friendly bible study. We will share a common meal, learn more about biblical references and daily devotionals and conclude with a hands-on art project the whole family can participate in. Please check the Pilgrim and the weekly church bulletin for announcements on dates and times.

Library

The church has a library with a large number of books and videos for loan. Topics include Bible stories, theology, Christian living, church history and many other Christian related subjects. There is something for everyone from 2 through 102.

Summertime Christian Education Activities

The Christian Education Ministry offers different educational and fellowship activities each summer. We have conducted traditional Vacation Bible School, hosted the Missoula Children’s Theater and developed weekly family-oriented Christian Education programs. Click here for a brochure regarding Vacation Bible School 2008.

Special Events

Special events such as youth run worship service; children’s Christmas pageant, plays and musicals are also offered as opportunities for youth and children.

We welcome you to visit us. All programs and activities are open to visitors and guests.

Do you have any questions? Send an email to the address shown on the home page or call the Church Office at (630) 968-0358. For information and questions about Adult Education or Confirmation, ask to speak with Rev. Laura Hoglund. For Youth Fellowship, ask for Julie Maxwell, our Director of Youth Ministries. For information and questions on other Christian Education activities including Sunday School, the Workshop Rotation Model, ask to speak with our Directors of Children’s Ministry – Marilee Williams or Jenni Hallman. For questions on entering our confirmation program, please send an email to Paul Bertram at Pbertm@aol.com


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	Christian Education Ministry The First Congregational Church of Downers Grove has a broad Christian Education program for people of all ages: Sunday School Holyland Xpress - Schedule Crib Room Confirmation - Click HERE for information Youth Forum Youth Fellowship Adult Education Family Education Library Summertime Christian Education Activities Special Events Sunday School 9:00 A full Sunday School for children aged 2 through sixth grade is conducted during the 9:00 a.m. service. Sunday School is divided into classes arranged by age or grade level. The 2- and 3-year olds are in one class as are the 4- and 5-year olds. The grade school classes correspond to the children's grade level at elementary school. A comprehensive curriculum is used to provide age appropriate material covering many aspects of Bible stories and church life. Grades 1 through 6 are following what is known as Holyland Express. Children attend the beginning of the worship service in the church sanctuary with their parents and then are excused for Sunday School after the children's sermon. 10:45 Our Celebration Service is designed to be family-friendly, and therefore we do not conduct Sunday School during the second service. Child care is available for infants and toddlers up to 2 years old. Holyland Xpress This is an exciting concept in Sunday School teaching that First Congregational began using in January of 1999. We started using this approach to enhance learning and make Sunday School more fun. Instead of traditional classrooms, each Sunday School room is decorated and equipped with materials for a particular workshop. Our workshops include Art, Bible skills and games, Storytelling, Cooking, Music, Video and Drama/Puppets. A unit consists of a 4-5 week lesson plan where the main lesson topic remains the same. Every Sunday within a unit, each grade level rotates to a new workshop that teaches the same lesson or topic in a different way. For example, they might hear the Bible story one week. The next week the lesson might focus on music or an art project. The following week they may watch and/or make a video and then see a puppet show on the fourth week. Multiple lessons on one topic reinforce learning and let the children see a topic from a different perspective. Children who miss some classes still have exposure to the lesson. And the children enjoy this approach. Holyland Xpress workshop rotation is based on Howard Gardner's work on multiple intelligences. Each workshop concentrates on a different learning style. For more information on the workshop rotation model, go to www.rotation.org. Crib Room We have a crib room available at the both the 9:00 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday worship services. Ms. Jenna Eyberger is the main Crib Room attendant. She is aided by a collection of capable adults and teens. Parents can know their infants and toddlers under age two are in good hands while they experience and enjoy the worship service. Pagers are distributed to parents in case of a child's excessive stress or an emergency. Confirmation Our confirmation process is a two-year program taught by a team of nine adults headed by one of the pastors. It is usually attended by 7th and 8th graders but is open to anyone in at least 7th grade. The first year's confirmation class is called the Disciples and the second year's class is known as the Apostles. The Disciples meet in a classroom on Sunday mornings during the 9:00 a.m. service. The Apostles attend the 9:00 a.m. service and meet with team Mentors after the minister's sermon. They also attend a class held on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. Besides the classes, the program also includes field trips to other churches and places of worship as well as mission programs and participation in our church worship services. The Disciples are invited to attend a confirmation camp in the summer after their first year of classes. This camp is conducted in August and includes confirmands from other UCC churches in the Fox Valley Association. The Apostles attend a Confirmation Retreat shortly before their confirmation where they each write their own personal statement of faith. Current Disciple and Apostle Schedules can be accessed below: Disciples Apostles Youth Forum A Sunday morning discussion is held for high school aged youth and other interested younger members who have already been confirmed. This is an opportunity for youth and adult leaders to share their faith experiences, concerns and questions in an open, friendly atmosphere. Youth Forum is held during the 9:00 a.m. worship service. Youth Forum meets continuously from Rally Day until the end of the school year. Youth Fellowship Our Youth Fellowship is designed to engage youths from 7th grate through high school. We have two fellowship groups which meet on a weekly basis. The first group is specifically geared toward high school students and meets on Sunday evenings, 5:30-7:00 p.m. The second group is conducted for confirmands and also meets on Sunday evenings, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Both groups participate in retreats, mission trips, and fund raising events such as the CROP Walk and Halloween House. Click on Youth Activities for further information about current events. Adult Education Our congregation believes that Christian Education does not end with the confirmation process. Regular Adult Education classes are held throughout the year. Many times we engage speakers to address faith issues such as "Where is the good news in the news stories we read today" and "Why is Jesus so Crucial to our life?" Typically, a short series of classes on a common topic are offered. Sometimes a single class will concentrate on a particular topic of interest. Additionally, we officer adult education programs in conjunction with other church Ministries such as Christian Witness Ministry. Find out more about this year's educational opportunities. Family Education This coming year we will offer two family-oriented educational opportunities. Prior to the Christmas season and during Lent, we encourage families to sign up for our weekly family-friendly bible study. We will share a common meal, learn more about biblical references and daily devotionals and conclude with a hands-on art project the whole family can participate in. Please check the Pilgrim and the weekly church bulletin for announcements on dates and times. Library The church has a library with a large number of books and videos for loan. Topics include Bible stories, theology, Christian living, church history and many other Christian related subjects. There is something for everyone from 2 through 102. Summertime Christian Education Activities The Christian Education Ministry offers different educational and fellowship activities each summer. We have conducted traditional Vacation Bible School, hosted the Missoula Children’s Theater and developed weekly family-oriented Christian Education programs. Click here for a brochure regarding Vacation Bible School 2008. Special Events Special events such as youth run worship service; children’s Christmas pageant, plays and musicals are also offered as opportunities for youth and children. We welcome you to visit us. All programs and activities are open to visitors and guests. Do you have any questions? Send an email to the address shown on the home page or call the Church Office at (630) 968-0358. For information and questions about Adult Education or Confirmation, ask to speak with Rev. Laura Hoglund. For Youth Fellowship, ask for Julie Maxwell, our Director of Youth Ministries. For information and questions on other Christian Education activities including Sunday School, the Workshop Rotation Model, ask to speak with our Directors of Children’s Ministry – Marilee Williams or Jenni Hallman. For questions on entering our confirmation program, please send an email to Paul Bertram at Pbertm@aol.com
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