Friendly, vibrant congregation seeks Interim Coordinator of Children’s Ministries to administer Christian Education program for students from pre-school to ninth grade.  Successful candidate must possess a strong commitment to the Christian faith as well as a working knowledge of Christianity and the United Church of Christ.  Additional requirements include significant work experience and/or training in the field of education; professional and/or volunteer experience in administration, management and leadership; strong computer skills; an ability to work both independently and cooperatively; creativity and enthusiasm for education.  Position is part-time, 11 months per year.  Complete job description available here Children's Ministries Job Description  .  Send resume and letter of interest to First Congregational Church of Granby, Attn:  Board of Christian Education, 219 North Granby Road, Granby, CT  06035 or via e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Mission of the Board of Christian Education 
To create and support an educational environment which encourages continual spiritual growth and promotes an awareness of Christ’s presence in the lives of children, families, teachers, volunteers and the Church community.   

Sunday School (10:30 am-11: 30am)

Grades 1-8: First Church offers an excellent Sunday School program for children age three through the eighth grade. Students learn lessons from carefully selected curriculums that best serve each age group. The children learn about their faith through an exciting kinesthetic (using all of their senses) approach. This helps to make our Sunday School a great place for all types of learners. An important goal for our children is to help others in addition to exploring their own faith. Our students have collected donations to help natural disaster victims, UNICEF, Iraqi school children and U.S. military personnel. Additionally, they’ve hosted lemonade stands and bake/gift sales to raise money for cancer research, create and deliver cards, ornaments and tokens of appreciation to shut-ins, convalescent homes and First Church committee members and personnel. After careful consideration, our children adopted a “brother” from the UCC sponsored “Family Village Farm” in India. Sunday School is held during the 10:30 a.m. Worship Service beginning in September.

Bridge Group: This class is comprised of Ninth Grade students “bridging” over from formal Sunday School classes to Confirmation Preparation. This group meets on Sunday’s at 10:30 am beginning September through December. The students are taught and guided by a number of adult volunteers and focus on team building experiences, church history, comparative religions, volunteerism and establishing core values and spiritual awareness as they enter Confirmation classes in January.

Confirmation Class: Confirmation instruction is offered to youth who are interested in becoming full members of the church through the rite of confirmation. Our youth enter confirmation instruction most often in their freshman year of high school. Classes begin in January and meet weekly on Sunday afternoons from 12:15-2:00 PM until May.  Classes resume in September and youth are confirmed in October or November.  Classes include retreats and mission activities as well as an exploration of one’s faith.

Nursery Care: First Church treasures our youngest children.  We provide special care for them in the Nursery until the age of 3. 

During the 10:30 am Church Service hour on Sunday mornings we have nursery care in Rooms B6 and B8 on the lower level.   This not only allows parents to participate uninterrupted in the worship service, but allows the children to be with others of the same age, engaging in imaginative and varied activities.  The youngest infants are held, rocked and played with during this time.

There is an adult, rotating teacher in the Nursery.  She is helped each week by Church volunteers and confirmands who want to make sure the children receive the care and attention they need.

Vacation Bible School (VBS):

Vacation Bible School is an opportunity for the youth of our Church and community to engage in a fun-filled summer week of Christian themed activities, supported with Bible stories and lessons.  Emphasis is on learning a Christian value and/or character and discussing how these can be applied in the children’s own life.  Mary Chicoine will be leading the 2008 Vacation Bible School.

Babysitting Registry

Each year we publish a list of young adults from our church who are interested in babysitting. This fall CE will offer the Red Cross Babysitting Course for young adults in 6^th Grade and above. You can find the registration form here.

Christian Education Newsletter

The Director of Children’s Ministries writes a monthly newsletter providing information about Sunday School to our Sunday School families.  Included in the newsletter is information about current and upcoming Sunday School activities and projects, and special Christian Education events or programs. It is distributed electronically via e-mail, posted on this website and hard copies are available in the Sunday School classroom.    

Information is also posted on the Sunday School bulletin board in the lower level.

Pilgrim Fellowship

Mid High: Social and faith expanding opportunities are offered to students in grades 6-8 generally on the second and fourth Sundays of the months of September through June.  Some gatherings are just for fun, encouraging interaction in a Christian context, while others are designed specifically for the expanding and exercise of personal faith. Activities may include bowling, hiking, sledding and games.

Senior High/G-Crew: The Senior High Pilgrim Fellowship (PF) or G-Crew as they like to call themselves, meets every other Sunday evening from 6:00-7:30 pm. This is a time for the youth to gather for discussion and exploration of their faith as play and fellowship. Youth plan a variety of activities throughout the year including a Youth Sunday worship service, “lock-ins” or overnight retreats, and fund raising activities for our annual mission trip. This year the group is going to  Owego, NY  from July 25 - 31. 

www.groupworkcamps.com/youth/mission-trips/trip-locations-grid/index.cfm

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Adult Education

Women’s Spirituality:The Women’s Spirituality Group has two components:  Exploration of our own spiritual lives and learning about the fundamentals of Christianity.  Various books and materials are read to facilitate lively discussion. This group is made up of women from a variety of age groups, which enriches discussions and learning.  Another important aspect of this group is that it is a casual gathering that does not require the reading to have been done in order to participate or require attendance at every gathering. The group meets in the morning and evening twice a month to accommodate a variety of lifestyles.

Contact: Bridget Hughes

Reiki Share Group: This group has been formed from the Women’s Spirituality Group and is the Reiki Share group that meets as needed to offer the ancient healing technique in Christian based methods for those who desire this form of healing ministry.

Contact Sandra Fischer 413-9513

Weekly Adult Bible Study: An informal adult group meets each Thursday to read and discuss scripture.

Prayer Shawls: Do you enjoy knitting? We knit prayer shawls for anyone that is sick, experiencing a difficult time and may be comforted by a shawl. The shawls may also be given in celebration of a birth, birthday, or ordination. These shawls are available to any church member to give to someone in need. 

Contact: Nancy Colton 653-7650

Men’s Group: Exploring men’s spiritual growth issues and their relationships with God and each other. Second Saturday of October – May.

Contact:  Dan Schroeder 653-4537