KINDERGARTEN – 2ND GRADE
(3rd-5th Below)
Spring 2019 Child/Youth/Student Online Registration
Our Kindergarten – 2nd grade church school ministry uses the Young Children and Worship model which is based upon the tenet of “Godly play.” This approach, which integrates religious education and worship provides an exciting format where children experience God while learning about God, using a sensorimotor style of storytelling as the primary means for encountering God in biblical stories. This model provides freedom and sacred time for children to continue responding to God by working with story figures, art materials, music and kinesthetic expression. Church school is available during the 10:30 am service mid-September-May and at the single summer service at 9:30 am May-mid-September. Children begin in worship in the sanctuary and leave during Passing of the Peace to meet with leaders in the Narthex (back of the church).
To learn more about this style of learning, you can check out the following videos:
How Godly Play Changes Congregations
Shepherd Volunteer Job Description for K-2nd Grades
Keeper Volunteer Job Description for K – 5th Grades
Storyteller Volunteer Job Description
Worship Leader Job Description for 3rd-5th Grades
Contact Catherine Curtis, (630.469.3096 X 23) Director of Christian Education or Cathy Basso, (630.469.3096 X19)Youth Education Coordinator
IMPORTANT DATES
Heifer Market, October 2019 The mission of Heifer Project International is to supply farm animals and the technology for their care to people in developing areas in the U.S. and around the world. Each fall, children preschool and older work together to raise money for this organization by creating “wares” for the congregation to purchase after each worship service. During the past fifteen-plus years our children have raised over $20,000 for Heifer International’s communities. Contact Catherine Curtis, (630.469.4096 X 23) Director of Christian Education.
Christmas Eve Pageant, December 24, 2019 at 4:00 pm. Children and youth grades K – 8 volunteer for the pageant portion of our 4:00 pm Christmas Eve worship. There are typically three dry rehearsals and one dress rehearsal so that children are comfortable come performance time. We invite interested parties to help tell the Christmas story. Contact Caroline Andres, Volunteer Pageant Director.
Vacation Bible School, June 24-27, 2019 9:00 am – noon daily This annual event is a hands-on, inter generational learning experience held almost exclusively outdoors. A theme is determined each year and planning begins during the winter months. Many volunteers are needed to make this a successful event. Children age 4 – elementary school participate, as well as middle school Volunteers-in-Training, and high school and adult Volunteers. Donate supplies here. Contact Catherine Curtis, (630.469.3096 X 23) Director of Christian Education.
Tower Hill Family Camp, July 12-15, 2019 Join us for a fantastic weekend of FUN at UCC Tower Hill Camp in Sawyer, Michigan. Families, couples and individuals choose to either camp or lodge, and can enjoy the view of Lake Michigan on a Private section of Warren Dunes! Enjoy the water, play in the sand, climb the dunes, star gaze and spend quality time with family and friends. Contact David Crane, dcrane61661@gmail.com
MUSIC MINISTRY
Angel Choir, directed by Sherry Flugel and Lora Ilhardt, includes children age 4 through 1st grade. This group performs two times a year (Christmas Eve, at our 4 pm service 2018 and May 5, 2019 in 9 and 10:30 am worship) rehearsing two times prior to each performance for 30 minutes. This choir offers a great way to introduce children to the joy of group singing without a huge time commitment. . Rehearsals for May 5th are Sunday, April 28th and Thursday May 2nd at 4 pm.
Joyful Noise Choir, directed by Michele Hecht, (630.469.3096 X 15)includes children 2nd – 5th grades who enjoy singing. This choir meets every Thursday from 5:30-6:30 pm and performs in worship once a month at both services, beginning in October. Kids can join at any time, although we encourage a full school-year commitment.
A highlight in the Joyful noise program year is the Christmas Cantata (musical play) which is performed during worship, in place of the sermon, the first week in December. From mid-October to early December we rehearse Thursday and Sundays in preparation for this.
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3RD-5TH GRADE SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL
Spring 2019 Child/Youth/Student Online Registration
Lighting the Way This program utilizes the Rotation Model format that teaches major Bible stories and concepts through a combined-grade gathering time and these engaging multimedia workshops: art, drama, games, computers, film, cooking and Bible exploration. This format takes advantage of our students’ God-given thirst for multi-modal learning, recognizing that there are many different learning styles, including auditory, visual, kinesthetic, intrapersonal and interpersonal. Church school is available during the 10:30 am service mid-September-May and at the single summer service at 9:30 am May-mid-September. Children begin in worship in the sanctuary and leave during Passing of the Peace to meet with leaders in the Narthex (back of the church).
For additional information on the Rotation Model, please visit: ROTATION MODEL: WHAT IS IT AND WHY WE USE IT
For more information, contact Catherine Curtis, (630.469.3096 X 23)Director of Christian Education.
What the children are learning:
Song for Gathering Time: “Do You Hear What I Hear?”
FCCGE Spotify Church School Song List
Fall Unit – Moses & the Exodus
Workshop Leader Volunteer Job Description for Grades 3rd – 5th
Keeper Volunteer Job Description for Kindergarten – 5th Grades
YOUTH FELLOWSHIP
345 Fellowship is designed for older elementary students (3rd, 4th and 5th grades) and meets bi-monthly. Throughout the year, we play engaging games and explore our faith using exciting group activities. Our hope is to grow together into a caring community in a fun, comfortable and energetic setting. We intentionally incorporate spiritual practices that deepen our time together and share our “Faithful Acts,” which are ways that students and leaders actively live out our faith. Examples of Faithful Acts include: never has a friend at lunch, caring for a sick animal and standing up to a bully. We want your youth to be part of 345!
All 3rd – 5th grade friends are welcome; it is not necessary for a child to attend FCCGE or be part of a family that worships here. We welcome everyone at anytime. For more information, contact Rev. Kendra Joyner Miller, (630.469.3096 X 11) Associate Minister Click here to see the 345 Fellowship Schedule 2018- 2019
MUSIC MINISTRY
Joyful Noise Choir, directed by Michele Hecht, (630.469.3096 X 15)Director of Music Ministry, includes children 2nd – 5th grades who enjoy singing. This choir meets every Thursday from 5:30-6:30 pm and performs in worship once a month at both services, beginning in October. Kids can join at any time, although we encourage a full school-year commitment.
A highlight in the Joyful noise program year is the Christmas Cantata (musical play) which is performed during worship, in place of the sermon, the first week in December. From mid-October to early December we rehearse Thursday and Sundays in preparation for this.
IMPORTANT DATES
Heifer Market, October 2019 The mission of Heifer Project International is to supply farm animals and the technology for their care to people in developing areas in the U.S. and around the world. Each fall, children preschool and older work together to raise money for this organization by creating “wares” for the congregation to purchase after each worship service. During the past fifteen-plus years our children have raised over $20,000 for Heifer International’s communities. Contact Catherine Curtis, (630.469.4096 X 23) Director of Christian Education.
Christmas Eve Pageant, December 24, 2019 at 4:00 pm Children and youth grades K – 8 volunteer for the pageant portion of our 9:30 am Christmas Eve worship. There are typically three dry rehearsals and one dress rehearsal so that children are comfortable come performance time. We invite interested parties to help tell the Christmas story. Contact Caroline Andres, Volunteer Pageant Director. Registration link and details will be available closer to the event.
Vacation Bible School, June 24-27, 2019 9:00 am – noon daily This annual event is a hands-on, inter generational learning experience held almost exclusively outdoors. A theme is determined each year and planning begins during the winter months. Many volunteers are needed to make this a successful event. Children age 4 – elementary school participate, as well as middle school Volunteers-in-Training, and high school and adult Volunteers. Donate supplies here. Contact Catherine Curtis, (630.469.3096 X 23) Director of Christian Education.
Tower Hill Family Camp, July 12-15, 2019 Join us for a fantastic weekend of FUN at UCC Tower Hill Camp in Sawyer, Michigan. Families, couples and individuals choose to either camp or lodge, and can enjoy the view of Lake Michigan on a Private section of Warren Dunes! Enjoy the water, play in the sand, climb the dunes, star gaze and spend quality time with family and friends. Contact David Crane, dcrane61661@gmail.com