Children

Children's Education

What We Do

On Sunday morning, September through May, children are learning the basics of our faith in classes divided up by age group. Our classes aren't the old-fashioned lecture/pupil kind.  Kids enjoy the roundtable discussions, field trips and sometimes simple play that gets across the Christian message.  The classes are available for all children and youth from age 3 through high school.  All classes are taught by teams to distribute the effort -- and the joy -- of working with our young people.  Although classes are organized primarily around age/grade groups, care is taken to meet the needs of each child.

Godly Play

Children age 3 through first grade are guided through a Bible story in their own quiet room, where no other activities are held.  A story leader uses figurines to illustrate the narrative, and the children are encouraged to respond with their own art work.  Godly Players attend the first few minutes of the church service, then depart for their class after the children's story. We pride ourselves on the diversity of our small children and the attention given them by thoughtful teachers.

Second and Third Grade

This class meets during the worship service. It includes some play and some instruction for kids a little old for Godly Play and a little young for the intermediate class.

Intermediate Class

Children grades 4 - 6 meet from 9:45 - 10:45 am.  This class participates in a wide variety of activities aimed at building on the lessons learned during Godly Play and helping student grow in their understanding of what it means to be people of faith.   Not all of the lessons are traditional. In a recent season, the group discussed the book and movie, Mean Girls. The children went on bowling and ice skating trips on Sunday afternoons.

Confirmation Class

Usually offered to seventh and eighth graders, this instruction begins in the fall from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Sundays.  Students go on two overnight retreats, meet regularly with their mentors and are confirmed at the early June church retreat at West River.

Youth Program

Students from seventh to 12th grade have an integrated youth program that includes regular Sunday morning sessions before church and evening and weekend activities led by our youth minister. Some may choose to attend confirmation class instead. Youth attend the worship service along with the adults.
 

Child Care

Child care is provided during Sunday school and worship for children through age 5.  One or two paid child care providers are present from 9:45 to 12:30 every Sunday morning. The child care providers are supplemented by parents or teens as the need arises. Child care is also provided during weeknight meetings if requested in advance.  Contact the church office to make this request., dumbartonpastor@yahoo.com.