FCCGE Children and Youth Events

Christmas Lock-In

JR High Friday 12/20 and SR High Saturday 12/21

The Christmas Lock-In is an *overnight* experience as the last official youth group activity of the year! We will be making Christmas cookies, playing Christmas games, crafting Christmas crafts, eating Christmas snacks, and… did I say Christmas? Sleeping over isn’t required…but greatly encouraged! Email Tanner to register!

Confirmation

Islam Faith Mosque Visit Saturday, January 11th 1pm

Come join us at Bait-ul-Jaamay Mosque off IL-53 this January. Confirmands, parents, sponsors, and those in high school who never had the chance are welcome to join us. Reservations are required for any off-site activity. Email Tanner with questions

Children’s Christmas Pageant

Dec. 22, 10 am Worship

You’ll Leave with a

Filled Heart!

Sunday, December 22nd, our 10 am service will be led by our children who will perform “The Friendly Beasts” – the story of Jesus’ birth as told by the animals in the stable. The children and leaders put so much love into this service and you don’t want to miss it.

Feed My Starving Children

(Youth Service Visit)

Catastrophic hunger has more than doubled in 2024.We have (5) more spots for our service trip to FMSC on Saturday, December 28th from 11:30am-1:15pm. Geared towards 6th-12th graders, but siblings 5 yrs and older can join with participating adult(s). Email Tanner to join.

Once-a-Month Playdate Saturday

There will be no playgroup in December due to the busyness of the season.

Happy Holidays!

This is a wonderful way to help your child feel comfortable and welcome at the church! This play group is an opportunity for families with children, in kindergarten and younger, to build relationships for children and the adults in their lives. Older siblings are also welcome, as an opportunity to have fun and grow into their roles as mentors and nurturers, while building relationships with other adults in the congregation. Text Jessi Fleming at 602.820.6450 with questions, weather inquiries, and for directions.

Sunday Morning Faith Formation for Children and Youth

- See the Friday Family email for more details or contact Director of Christian Education, Catherine Curtis ( or 630-469-3096 ext. 23) or Director of Youth Ministry, Tanner Spears (or 30-469-3096 ext. 28).
- Nursery Care for infants and toddlers during the worship service.
- Church School
  - Preschool – Class for three, four and Pre-K five year olds in the Preschool Room, Lower Level, Room 1 during the worship service.
  - Kindergarten – 5th grades – Elementary-age children begin in worship with their families and are invited to meet their church school leaders at the back of the church to go up to classes following the Confess Response. On most Communion Sundays, Kindergarten – 5th grade students will return to the Sanctuary to partake of Communion with their families and the congregation.
- Confirmation
  - Class for 6th – 8th grades begins September 15th during the worship service. On most Communion Sundays, there is no Confirmation class so that Confirmands may worship with family and friends.

Online Registration for Families is OPEN and LIVE

We invite and encourage you to register our children and youth from infants through 12th graders by following this link. This information is invaluable to us so that we may welcome the children and youth and provide a safe space to explore their faith, make friendships, and feel fully a part of our community. Thanks for registering!

Sr Hi Our Whole Lives Returns

Register Now

We will be offering this life-affirming ministry that focuses on self-worth, sexual health, responsibility, justice & diversity for our high school students.

Please click here for details about the ministry and this year’s programming or click here to register your youth. Please share with friends of your youth as well. Contact Catherine Curtis, Director of Christian Education or Tanner Spears, Director of Youth Ministries with questions.

Important Dates for Families

▪ Friday, December 20 – Jr Hi Fellowship Christmas Lock-in
▪ Saturday, December 21 – Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
▪ Saturday, December 21 – Sr Hi Fellowship Christmas Lock-in
▪ Sunday, December 22 at 10 AM – Christmas Pageant during worship
▪ Saturday, December 28 – Feed My Starving Children youth service project

▪ Sunday, January 5th – 345 Fellowship with Tanner Hi Our Whole Lives Parent and Participant Orientations with Lunch

▪ Thursday, February 5th OR Friday, February 6th – Sr Hi Our Whole Lives Pizza Party and Workshops

▪ Friday, February 14th – 16th – Sr Hi Our Whole Lives Weekend Workshops

▪Sunday, March 2nd – Sr Hi Our Whole Lives Sundae Bar & Closing Workshop

▪ Wednesday, March 19th – 4th Grade Bible Pizza Party, Rehearsal, Game Night

▪ Sunday, March 23rd – 4th Grade Bible Presentation & Angel Choir

Youth Group Upcoming Dates:

Standard youth group time is JR High: 5-630pm and SR High: 630-8pm unless noted below:

12/20: JR High Christmas Lock-In @ 630pm, email Tanner to register

12/21: SR High Christmas Lock-In @ 630pm, email Tanner to register

12/22: No Youth Group,Winter Break

12/28 Feed My Starving Children (1130am-115pm), email Tanner for participation

12/29: No Youth Group, Winter Break

1/12: Epiphany (Spiritual Awakenings)

1/19: Early Youth Group (Board Game Night) (JR High: 3-430 and SR High: 430-6pm)

1/26: Making Homemade Jam with Martha DeForest, combined 530-730pm (RSVP Required!)

2/2: Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser for Work Camp after church (no youth group at night)

Confirmation Upcoming Date▪

12/22: No Class, attend Christmas Pageant

12/29: No Class, Winter Break

1/5: No Class, communion Sunday1/11: Faith Visit (Mosque in Glen Ellyn)

1/12: Lesson: David – The Flawed and Beloved King

1/19: Lesson: Social and Racial Justice (w/ simulation by Ida and Mary)

1/26: Lesson: Solomon – The Ambitious Son

1/26: Parent Orientation for OWL after service