Copyright 2013 First Parish Congregational Church, UCC. All Rights Reserved.
First Parish Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
Derry, New Hampshire
Sunday Worship Services — 10:00 am
Church School for ages 4 to High School
Childcare is provided in the Nursery
Fellowship Hour after service
Church School
Sunday Morning Church School
Here at First Parish we seek to use curriculum that is both exciting and fun for students, and teacher-friendly for our volunteers. On Sunday mornings from mid-September through mid-June, everyone begins in the church for worship (infants-24 months are welcome to be dropped off in the nursery at any time). Parents of children in the Pre-K through grade 3 are expected to go with their children to their classrooms to sign them in, and then the adult can return to worship in the sanctuary. After worship, an adult needs to come and sign them out of their classroom. Students in grades 4 and up are dismissed from their classes at 11:15 or whenever worship is over (if it runs later than 11:15).
MISSION STATEMENT
Our goal in Church School is to instill and nurture the love of God, church, and each other through Bible stories, books, songs, activities, games and fellowship.
Registration
It is very important that we have current information and registration form each family in our programs here at First Parish on an annual basis. It helps us in record keeping and insurance policies. Registration forms are to be filled out each year and can be obtained here or in the church office.
Nursery care-24 mos.
We offer childcare throughout the year on Sunday mornings. Our nursery is located between Currier and MacGregor on the second floor. We staff the nursery with volunteer teachers. Please bring your own diaper ban and/or bottles. We ask parents to sign in their infants and sign them out. All nursery children must be registered.
Classes for Ages 3-5, Grades 1-3, and Grades 4-5
In our pre-K through 5th grade classrooms, we use a curriculum called "Grow, Proclaim, Serve!" Students in each of the three classes grow together through comprehensive Bible study, application of Bible lessons to everyday discipleship, and a variety of age-appropriate activities. We invite you to check out the curriculum web site for activities you can do at home: http://www.growproclaimserve.com.
Click on the image for the new iPhone app for "Grow, Proclaim, Serve!" which is the curriculum used in pre-K through 5th grade.
Classes for Middle School & High School Students
In our middle school (6th-8th grades) and high school (9th-12th grades) classrooms, we use a highly-acclaimed, lectionary-based curriculum called Seasons of the Spirit. Seasons of the Spirit is created in community with congregations from different denominations around the world.
Designed specifically for a children's Christian education program where four or more age groups are taught in one classroom, One Room Sunday School includes materials that children ages 3 through middle school can study and learn together. Students will grow together through comprehensive Bible study, application of Bible lessons to everyday discipleship, and a variety of age-appropriate activities.
NEW: podcasts from Seasons of the Spirit can be found by clicking the Podcast image
Click here to see how your student's time in church school is spent.
Click here to download a copy of the current lectionary bookmarks for your student.
Click here to download a copy of what your student will be learning during Lent and Easter.
Volunteers & Teachers
For everyone's safety, and in compliance with our own Safe Church Policy, all of our teachers, nursery volunteers, and youth chaperones are required to complete a background check if they will ever be coming into contact with children that are not their own. If you'd like to volunteer to work with the youth or children of First Parish, you can download the form here and turn it in to the church office. The church will pay the $10 fee for you, and any information received from your background check is 100% confidential - only the senior pastor will see your background check. Background check form
