Sunday School
“The Christian life is about a relationship with God that transforms us into more compassionate beings.”
Marcus Borg
The Sunday school program at the Charlotte Congregational Church, UCC, provides child-centered, Christian-based opportunities for children in a relational, fun, and application-oriented environment during the regular Sunday service. Sunday school is offered for children from preschool through grade five each Sunday during the school year. Children attend the first part of worship with their families and then leave for Sunday school class following the Children’s Time. Sunday school begins on September 12, 2010.
The children will first all meet together for a greeting time and shared message, and then we will have age appropriate activities following this gathering time. We want to create an environment where children feel part of our church family and are welcomed in to learn about God in a meaningful and relevant way. We will use a UCC curriculum called Faith Practices as well as creating our own unique lesson plans on topics of interest for the children. Most lessons include a Biblical reading and all have meaningful discussions, related fun writing and art activities, and an opportunity for the child to connect the lesson to how they can make a difference in their own world.
Our Sunday school program creates an environment for children to learn that they are loved and encouraged for who they are AND to learn to love and encourage others as well. This happens with a consistent “staff” of volunteers and one consistent leader and teacher, the Sunday school coordinator. We all share a commitment to the students and to the program, as well as deliberate connections to the congregation as a whole.
Sunday school gives us an opportunity to learn about and act for social justice issues that affect the world around us. This happens with an intentional link to the congregation and to the Missions and CASA (Contemplation and Social Action) committees who help promote and support social justice and missions efforts within and beyond our church. In the Spring the Children are actively involved with mission outreach projects, giving them an opportunity to actively experience, rather than just hear or read about our church’s work.
Elizabeth Berger serves as the church’s Sunday school coordinator. She is available during the service and Sunday school times each Sunday to welcome and assist children and families as well as during the week. Elizabeth is supported by the pastor, Rev. Will Burhans, as well as the Christian Education Committee.
Each week’s topic for Sunday school will be printed in the Courier newsletter so parents know the topics in advance. Materials sent home with the children each Sunday will hopefully give families the opportunity to continue discussions outside the Sunday school classroom.
Elizabeth will also maintain a bulletin board in the vestry detailing topics discussed in Sunday school so the congregation can also be connected. The children are a vital part of our church and we want the entire church community to know what the children are learning and discovering in Sunday school.
There are many activities through the year that the children are able to participate in. Sunday school students are welcomed and encouraged to take part in the annual Christmas Pageant on December 19, 2010. In addition, children over the age of five are invited to join the Junior Choir and celebrate with the wonderful music the Charlotte Congregational Church has to offer. The Christian Education Committee hosts an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 23, 2011 for the entire surrounding community.
Kids in grades 6 and beyond are invited to stay and be part of worship, but are also welcome in the Sunday school classroom in the role of assistants, teachers, and mentors to the younger children.
We are excited to be able to offer our youth in grades 6-12 the opportunity to join in the ecumenical youth group, Ripple. Ripple meets at Ascension Lutheran in South Burlington on the first and third Tuesdays each month, led by Rev. Rachel Stampul. The Fall kick off begins September 7, from 6:30-8:45. Visit their website at www.ripplevt.ning.com. We never quite know how one small action, inspired by love to bring about peace, might ripple out and change the world.
Our Sunday school year culminates with Children’s Sunday on June 12, 2011, giving the children an opportunity to partake in, direct, and write the service as well as a time to celebrate with the congregation all that they have learned during our Sunday school year together.
We look forward to meeting you and welcoming your children into our church family.