Education
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Christian education provides all ages with opportunities to grow spiritually and learn how to apply the Gospel to our lives.
Our Sunday morning program, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., offers classes from age 4 through adult. We also have two additional adult Bible study classes during the week.
In addition, we offer fellowship for both younger Junior Youth and older Senior Youth in 5th – 12th grade. In the summer, we offer a week of Vacation Bible School for children and youth. We also sponsor United Methodist summer camp opportunities.
Confirmation and Membership Classes
For more information on any of these programs, please contact the Christian Education Director at AUMC-Education@verizon.net.
Childcare
We offer free childcare by professional childcare providers, following our Safe Sanctuary policy in our nursery. Supervised care is offered for infants through age 5.
Childcare is available from 8:15 am to 12:15 pm during our regular Sunday services and between services during Adult Sunday School.
The nursery is located downstairs from the main sanctuary
Church School Classes
Our Sunday morning program, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., offers classes from age 4 through 12th grade.
- Our Pre-K – 2nd grade class uses the Celebrate Wonder The children watch a curriculum video, where a child host engages children through storytelling, life application, and exploration of a faith word. The class includes a Bible lesson, stories, discussions, and crafts or activities to help children learn more about Jesus and grow in their faith.
- Our 3rd – 5th grade class also uses Celebrate Wonder following the lectionary-based curriculum. Each week, the class reads a Bible lesson together, with children volunteering to read select verses in the story. We watch a video narrated by a teenager, speaking to the lesson through a young person’s perspective and challenging the class to wonder with them about the deeper Bible meaning. We also do a weekly Bible-oriented activity, through arts or games, to reinforce the lesson through interaction.
- Our Middle School class (6th – 8th grade) uses a variety of short-term studies throughout the year to help connect their faith with their life.
- Our High School class (9th – 12th grade) also uses a variety of short-term studies throughout the year. These studies provide opportunities for age-appropriate discussions to challenge youth to think for themselves how Christian principles affect their lives.
The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible is used by our Church School. Each upcoming 3rd grader receive one as a gift during a special worship service. All Kindergarten children receive The Beginners Bible.
Vacation Bible School
Our annual Vacation Bible School program is offered in August. We welcome children, youth and adults from our church family and the community. Every morning during this week-long event, kids of all ages will experience God’s Word, meet real-life servants, plus explore and create through fun-filled crafts, snacks, and games.
SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITIES
In March we celebrate Camp Sunday and distribute information packets on all the United Methodist Church camp opportunities in the New England region. Aldersgate Scholarships are provided to help defray the cost of children and youth that attend. The Conference Church Camps are located at:
- Camp Aldersgate in North Scituate, RI
- Camp Wanakee in Meredith, NH
- Camp Mechuwana in Winthrop, ME
Missions
Our Church School supports our church’s mission projects in various ways throughout the year. This helps our children better understand what our church does to assist people in our community and throughout the world. Throughout the year, the children and youth participate in various service projects such as making Valentines and special cards for home-bound and those in need. Our two big projects are Thanksgiving Baskets and our Advent Mission Focus.
For more information on any of these programs, contact the Christian Education Director at AUMC-Education@verizon.net
Special Events
Our Children’s Ministry Team supports the Church School program by offering special events, mission projects and celebrations throughout the year.
- Rally Day – On the first Sunday after Labor Day, our Church School classes begin with student registration and a parent reception.
- Thanksgiving – Classes help our Outreach committee by supplying non-perishable food needed for our Thanksgiving Basket collection. The youth help assemble the baskets that are distributed to families in our community.
- Advent – On the first Sunday of Advent, all classes participate in a workshop with activities connected to our Advent Mission Program.
- Christmas – Our children and youth present a Christmas Pageant during a worship service before Christmas for the congregation, neighbors, and friends.
- Epiphany – We celebrate Kings’ Sunday with cupcakes and a visit from the Wise Men to each of our church school classes, as they share the story of their journey to find the new king.
- Lent – As we prepare for Lent, we celebrate Pancake Sunday with a pancake breakfast for all, games, and a discussion about the season of Lent.
- Easter – We host a community event with an Easter Egg Hunt, fun crafts, and a special movie to learn about the first Easter.
- Church School Sunday – This special Sunday is an opportunity for our Church School classes to lead a worship service and share what we have learned with the congregation.
- Graduation Sunday – We congratulate our high school seniors with a recognition ceremony during worship, followed by a celebratory breakfast.
SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITIES
In March we celebrate Camp Sunday and distribute information packets on all the United Methodist Church camp opportunities in the New England region. Aldersgate Scholarships are provided to help defray the cost of children and youth that attend. The Conference Church Camps are located at:
- Camp Aldersgate in North Scituate, RI
- Camp Wanakee in Meredith, NH
- Camp Mechuwana in Winthrop, ME
