At First Church, young people are a vital part of our community. We seek to engage children and teens in every aspect of our congregation—worship, community life, and social justice work. We aim to create relationships between people in various generations and stages of life. We also focus on equipping households to live their faith in everyday ways.
In our educational programs, we hope to provide a grounding in the stories of the Bible and the central teachings of the Christian tradition. We also affirm the values of First Church: our open and affirming identity, our work for justice and peace, our care for the Earth and our commitment to sustainability. We take seriously the words in our Covenant of Membership that describes the church as a “fellowship of differing but kindred minds [and hearts].” We do not tell our children how to think or feel or what to believe. We respect the wide diversity that is present in their own faith journeys, even at very young ages, and encourage them to respect the diversity in others around them.
Toddler Care
We encourage families to bring young children to worship. We truly enjoy their presence and believe it is important for them to learn to be part of our worshiping community. At the same time, we know that it is challenging for toddlers to be in worship. For this reason, we provide childcare for age 0-3 during Sunday worship and some other church programs. Our Toddler Care provider is experienced and professional.
Church School Program
- The Pre-elementary class (ages 3 through kindergarten) meets during worship (after the first hymn). This class consists of story, play, art, musical experiences.
- The Elementary classes (grades 1-3 & 4-6) meets after worship. The hour begins with music, led by our Minister of Music. In class, the children engage with the Bible lesson for the day (the same scripture we heard in worship). They respond to the lesson through conversation, artwork, and service projects.
Confirmation
This class is offered for youth beginning in the middle school grades. It is a two-year process of intentional faith exploration for teens, team-taught by clergy and lay leaders. The four core components of the curriculum are: self, society, sexuality and spirituality. The class also studies church history, UCC identity, and introduces a historical and critical approach to the Bible.
Confirmation includes opportunities for spiritual retreats and social justice work, as well as learning about various world religions. It is a tradition for each confirmation class to travel to the San Lucas Mission in Guatemala, for a week of learning and service. The confirmation process culminates with the students composing a personal statement of faith. In conversation with their parents and the group’s leaders, each teen decides if they wish to become confirmed (that is, to affirm their baptism and membership in church, or be baptized if they have not been).
Southeast Playgroup
Every Monday morning from 9:30-noon (from September-May) the basement of First Church is alive with children and their parents and grandparents. The playgroup offers creative crafts and free play, snacks, stories and music. The playgroup draws families from the neighborhood and around the twin cities. The playgroup is supported by volunteers from the congregation and neighborhood. Come, join in the fun!
