"First Christian Church has created a loving and nurturing ministry for children of all ages. We reach out to each child and help him or her take their next step in faith."
Rev. Dr. Russell Peterman, Senior Minister
Children's Worship & Wonder
The Children's Worship & Wonder service is based on an approach to religious education called "Godly Play" developed by Dr. Jerome Berryman, an Episcopal priest who studied at the Center for Advanced Montessori Studies in Bergamo, Italy.
What is exciting about this approach is that he has stripped away much of the interpretive detail found in a lot of Church School curriculum and returned to the actual Bible Story itself, letting it stand alone and allowing the children to experience it for themselves.
We will use wooden figures and models to help tell the Bible stories. Once the story is introduced to the children, there is a time to "wonder" about the lesson with the storyteller. The children can then choose how they would like to respond to the story by either working with the story or using art materials. This approach promotes creativity and also encourages the children to respond to their senses and feelings rather than just the mind.
Children's Worship & Wonder will be a structured, safe and nurturing environment where children can worship God and express what they feel about the Bible stories and not worry about right or wrong answers. As a result they will make their own discoveries about their faith.
This new program promises to bring to all who participate -- both children and adult storytellers and greeters -- a real sense of excitement and discovery about their own faith journeys.
If you are interested in helping with this wonderful, new program please contact Ellie McDougal by email or at (925) 465-4665.
Nursery Care:
A nursery is available for babies and toddlers on Sunday mornings and our wonderful nursery staff provide care and make church a friendly place for all God's children.
Church School:
First Christian Church of Concord has Sunday school for children of all ages. We gather each week to share the meaning of the Gospel with the children. We seek to help our children develop an understanding of the Bible and what it means to love others, as we love ourselves. Church School classes at various grade levels meet each Sunday at 10:00 am and are taught by loving, creative volunteers who adore children.
Pastor's Class:
Each spring, just before Easter, a class is held for young people to explore what it means to be baptized, to have faith and be a part of the Body of Christ. This class is for children, fourth grade and up, who are considering joining the church through baptism.
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