Christian Education
In his many letters to the early church, St. Paul outlined the idea of Christian communities that would constantly be growing in faith and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. At First Congregational Church, we strive to place spiritual formation for all ages at the very center of our life together.
We recognize that all believers are called to a lifelong journey of faith, and that the spiritual development of all of our members is vital to the vibrancy of our ministry to the world. We, therefore, offer programs ranging from nursery care to Sunday School for children, as well as ongoing programs for youth and adults.
Many of our faith development programs are run by our Board of Deacons, whose primary charge it is to support the spiritual life of our congregation. Some offerings are led by our Pastor, Bonnie, while still others, such as our small groups ministry, were born from the talents and interest of a few congregants. We embrace the challenge of continued growth for all of our members and welcome your ideas and participation.
Children’s Moment
Coming soon!
Children’s Programs
Sunday School
The Sunday School at First Congregational Church shares the wonderful message of God’s love and provides our children with a spiritual foundation upon which to build and explore their faith. The Sunday School welcomes children from infancy through sixth grade. Children begin worship with their families and the entire congregation in the sanctuary before being dismissed to Sunday school on our church’s lower level. Our school year runs from early September to early June. On the first Sunday of the month, we celebrate Communion together and have “intergenerational worship.” This is a time for us to reinforce the “Open Table” concept where ALL are invited to receive Communion – regardless of your age or affiliation with the church. Monthly, children attend Children’s Chapel where they worship as a group and work together on a project. Our Sunday School classes are taught by dedicated volunteers, with training and support from Meg Rosenberg, our Director of Children and Youth Ministry.
The Sunday School sponsors a number of community events every year including:
- Communion Education – October
- Advent Celebration & Potluck Brunch – November
- Christmas Pageant – December
- Mardi Gras Celebration – February
- Easter Egg Hunt – April
- Youth Takeover Worship Service – May/June
To learn more about our Sunday School events, click here.
Sunday School
Welcome FCC Families! Here you can find the Sunday School registration for 2024-2025. We are excited to begin a new year with you all! Thank you for registering.
Sunday School Registration 2024-2025 program year – Google Forms
Sunday School Curricula
FCC uses curricula from a company called Sparkhouse Media. All of their curricula are bible-based and follow a format that includes lessons from both the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and the New Testament. They collaborate with many different christian denominations to ensure that their programs are theologically sound.
This year we are following a new curriculum for grades 1 through 6 called Whirl. This program teaches kids about the important themes and parables of the Bible by focusing on relatable situations. During Sunday School classes children engage in activities to explore the lesson, watch short video presentations that relate the text to life experiences, and use the learner leaflets to extend the learning from church to home for further discussion. The format is easy to follow for volunteer teachers with minimal preparation time required.
In addition, we started a new curriculum for our youngest learners called Frolic – Preschool. The lessons are play-based and specifically designed for this age group (3-5 year olds) using large posters to tell short stories. To enhance learning objectives, there are a variety of “Center Activities” from which teachers can choose each week. Of course, there is still plenty of time for free play and snack time. To learn more about Frolic – Preschool please click here.
Nursery Care
From age six weeks to three years, we offer a caring and nurturing environment for your child to play while you attend worship. Feel free to drop off your child in the Nursery Room on the lower level of the church when you arrive. As an added safety precaution, we do not change diapers. Parents/guardians will be contacted via text if their child requires a diaper change.
If you’d rather bring your baby or toddler to worship, that’s fine, too. We welcome all children; cries, giggles and all!
Rose Vella – Infant and Toddler Care
I first joined FCC Holliston in 2014 and spent three years leading the nursery room at that time. Since then, my husband Joe and I were married (in our church!) and made our home in Uxbridge with our two girls. We are looking forward to raising our girls within the community of our church – a place they will always feel loved, welcomed, and motivated to bring good into this world. I earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bentley University and a masters degree in HR management from SNHU. I work in Human Resources at Middlesex Savings Bank. When I’m not working, I spend as much time as I can with my family…outdoors getting fresh air, if possible!
Classes
Formal classroom education begins at age three with our preschoolers and runs through sixth grade. Classrooms are arranged in grade groups: preschoolers and kindergarteners learn together as do grades 1 through 3 and 4 through 6.
Classes are led by the Director of Children’s Ministry and dedicated parent volunteers. Bible stories and themes are taught in an engaging and fun atmosphere by bringing faith to life. Students learn via storytelling, dramatic reenactments, science experiments, arts and crafts, cooking/baking, games and more! The classes are designed to scaffold the lessons from one year to the next.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Meg Rosenberg, our Director of Children and Youth Ministry. We hope you’ll join us!
Worship Activity Bags
Worship Activity Bags (Purple Busy Bags) are located in the vestibule on a kid-sized coat rack as you enter the front of the church as well as in a basket at the back of the sanctuary. These bags include drawing supplies, fidget toys, lacing cards, reading materials, children’s bulletins, etc. Research shows that keeping little hands busy helps them to concentrate and participate in the worship service. All are welcome to take advantage of the activity bags. Please feel free to ask an usher for assistance.
In order to comply with our Safe Church policy, parents volunteer to be the second (or third) adult at all meetings. Please contact Meg Rosenberg, our Director of Children and Youth Ministry, with any questions or suggestions for future events.
Bible Presentations
Each year, Kindergartners who attend Sunday School regularly are presented with an early reader Bible during a worship service at the end of the program year in June.
In addition, children in the sixth grade “graduate” from formal classes and are presented with UCC Bibles, to acknowledge their consistent participation in Sunday School and their growing familiarity with Bible stories, lessons, and themes.
Youth Group
The Youth Group at FCC is open to all youth in grades six through twelve (you do not need to be a member to join our Youth Group). We meet twice a month to do service projects, as well as non-service events. Events include:
- Ice cream socials
- Blanket-making for Project Linus
- Altitude (trampoline park)
- College care package assembly
- Thanksgiving basket assembly day with the Holliston Newcomer’s Club
- Christmas Party/Yankee Swap
- New Year’s Eve pancake breakfast
- Breezy Hill Farm
- Caroling
- Hale Reservation
- Snow Tubing
- Mini Golf
- Walk Through Holy Week
- Pizza and Movie Night
- End of the Year Picnic
- Random Acts of Kindness
To learn more about our Youth Group events, click here.
In order to comply with our Safe Church policy, parents volunteer to be the second (or third) adult at all meetings. Please contact Meg Rosenberg, our Director of Children and Youth Ministry, with any questions or suggestions for future events.
Confirmation
Confirmation is designed for 9th and 10th graders but is open to all who are in high school. The program will look at our Christian faith, our denomination, as well as explore how we integrate our faith into everyday living. This program is led by Rev. Bonnie and Meg Rosenberg.
Beginning in January, we will meet about every other Sunday following church. In addition, we will do a service project in the spring as well as run the sunrise service on Easter morning. Retreat information will be published shortly. If your child is interested, please let Paula know. If you have any questions please reach out Rev. Bonnie and Meg Rosenberg. We look forward to another exciting and fun confirmation year!
Confirmation is run every other year.
Confirmation Retreat January, 2020
Adult Classes, Programs & Activities
Monday Night Volleyball
Mondays 7:00pm
September through June
Meets in Jordan Hall
If you are interested in a good workout and meeting new friends, Monday Night Volleyball is for YOU. This long standing tradition in the church used to be known as “Men’s Volleyball,” but we are open to all teens and adults – no experience necessary. We meet in Jordan Hall at 7pm for friendly matches. Each player is asked for a $1 voluntary donation to offset “wear and tear” costs. If you have any questions or if you’d like to be added to our “friendly reminder” email list, Carl Tracey is the one to reach out to. Give it a try – you won’t regret it.
Men's Bible Study
The Men’s Bible study is a Zoom session held the first and third Tuesday of each month starting at 7:15 PM. Visit the Calendar section for updated meeting times.
Each session is “stand alone” so don’t be afraid that you are coming into the middle of the study. If you have any questions, please contact Eric Harting.
Racism: A Dialog
Join us for an honest and open discussion of racism in our country, our community, our lives. This group is for those who seek to make a difference.
As part of our ongoing justice ministry, our small group has been meeting for several years, and we look forward to continuing this journey toward understanding and self-awareness. Though the COVID pandemic has forced us to forgo meeting in person, we plan to continue our discussions virtually starting in September.
We will begin at 11:15, after service and virtual coffee hour, and meet for about an hour and a half.We focus on current concerns in the arena of justice, inequality, and systemic racism. Our meetings provide a safe space for discussion and learning. Together, we seek to grow spiritually at this time of testing in our country and the world. We invite you to join us.
Please contact Dawn Durning-Hammond for more information or to let us know you are interested.
When You Come Through Our Doors, You Are Family!
We are a congregation who actively seeks to incorporate the gospel message of love, compassion and hope into our daily lives.
725 Washington St, Holliston, MA 01746
508.429.8608