Children’s Ministry
Here at First Christian Church we have a thriving Children’s Ministry, check out to see what we are doing.
Acolytes
Each school year we have children who “lead and light up our services.” These children are acolytes. The acolyte program is open to all children in the Young Disciples class (grades 3, 4, and 5). The main acolyte duties are to lead the processional and light the candles to commence the beginning of the worship.
If you are interested in getting involved, contact Kate Higgins or contact the church office at 503-228-9211 or johanna@fccpdx.com.
Children’s Moments
During every service there is a time where the children are invited to come up and learn a lesson for that day. Typically that lesson is directly related to the scripture or the holiday. According to the Disciples Home Missions (http://www.homelandministries.org),
Children Moments are opportunities to:
- To bring children “close to the action”
- For children to lead in worship
- To affirm that children are valued participants in the church family
- To help children participate in worship
- To proclaim the Word of God
- For children to hear other members of the church family witness to their faith
- For children to offer their unique gifts in the context of congregational worship
We need people willing and able to lead Children’s Moment in each service. Children’s Moments materials are available if you want to participate, but aren’t sure how.
If you are interested in getting involved, contact the church office at 503-228-9211 orjohanna@fccpdx.com.
Extended Session
After the Children’s Moment the children (ages 3-10 years old) leave the sanctuary and join together for Extended Service. Activities pertain to the morning’s scripture and worship theme. Older children are encouraged to remain with the congregation for worship. We need two leaders for each Extended Session. Activities can be provided for you if you are interested.
If you are interested in getting involved, contact the church office at 503-228-9211 orjohanna@fccpdx.com.
Grandfriends
In addition to teachers, we need people to serve as Grandfriends. Grandfriends are people of variety of ages who make a difference in a child’s life and help out a teacher in the process.
Grandfriend Duties Include:
• Passing out snacks
• Pouring juice
• Assisting in various arts and craft projects
• Accompany occasional potty trips
Grandfriends are needed for each service and during the Sunday school hour. If you are interested in getting involved, there is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall or contact the church office at 503-228-9211 or johanna@fccpdx.com.
Sunday School
This school year we are combining all the classes to form one large, multi-aged class. This means that the Tiny Disciples (children from 3 years old-Pre-Kindergarten), Little Disciples (children in Kindergarten-2nd grade), and Young Disciples (children in 3rd-5th grade) will all be together. We are doing this because the Children’s Ministry will be in another temporary location tentatively from February-September 2009.
We need two teachers scheduled for the Sunday school hour (10:00 am-11:00 am) every Sunday. What has worked for us in the past is to have people sign up for a particular Sunday each month (i.e. you would teach the first Sunday of every month). We also have people sign up to teach for a season (i.e. you would sign up to teach for Winter, but not the other seasons). Whatever works best for you…we will take it! We need teacher to be there to help guide these children. Curriculum will be provided.
If you are interested in getting involved, contact the church office at 503-228-9211 orjohanna@fccpdx.com.
Family Classes
We are bringing back the “Family Classes!” These are classes offered to families of all shapes and sizes on dealing with child development to communication lessons. These classes will be offered approximately once a season. Referrals of class speakers are always welcome.
If you are interested in getting involved, contact the church office at 503-228-9211 or johanna@fccpdx.com.
