Choosing a Bible for a child http://www.ucc.org/children/choosing-a-bible-for-children.html

Now is a Great Time to Join an Adult Bible Study! New members are always welcome.

Men's Bible Study- Friday 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Monday Night Bible Study for Adults. "The Bible from Scratch" begins Monday, Sept. 22nd. This study is for all who are new to the Bible and those who desire a fine-tuning! Come join us!

Rev. Lisa Schmatzhagen, Pastor for Youth & Families

Lynn Zwaska, Youth Ministry Team Coordinator

Sunday School Teachers
3-4 year olds (Chris Klauer, Robin Jens)
5K (Jodie Jens, Wendy Rupprecht)
1st grade (Andy Meckl, Jane Sweet)
2nd grade (Jill Smith, Janine Grill)
3rd Grade (Jill Riemann, Julie Palm, Kris Natalizio)
4th grade (NEEDED)
5th-6th grade (Cathy Debbink)
7th-8th grade (Jeff Ek)
High School (Gail Willey, Lynn Zwaska, Kurt Schmatzhagen)

Jr Youth Advisors(3-5th grade)
Amy Hayes, Coordinator
Kris & Jim Natalizio
Mike & Cathy Daane
Lisa Rheineck
Kelsey Short
Terri & John Swanson
Kris & Steve Zimmer

Middle School Advisors(6-8th grade)
Karin Buckingham, Coordinator
Bob Johnson
Jeff Ek
Rachel & Chris Staut
Amy & Patrick Middleton

Senior High Advisors(9-12th grade)
Rochelle Behling, Coordinator
Mark Zwaska
Paul Geraldson
Lynne Wright
Eric Beardsley
Brad Bruno
Kristine Zwaska
Jason Rheineck

Confirmation Program Description & Important Dates

What is Confirmation?

Historically, Confirmation was the time set aside in which young people of the church studied and memorized the Christian doctrine, in order to prepare them to claim their baptisms as their own, and to become members of the church. As the years passed, many young people in the church began to see Confirmation as simply a way to join the church, or in some cases, as “graduation” from organized study classes (and sometimes worship!).

Our process at First Congregational UCC takes us back to the historical notion of re-affirmation of baptism and church membership. While we no longer memorize specific doctrine, we do deeply examine the faith claims of the Christian Church so that we can reflect on what it means to be a person of faith, and thus be moved to make our own affirmations of what it means to follow the path of Jesus.

Confirmation is a process, a journey, undertaken by all those involved. All people grow and change as they get older and experience new things. This is also true of our faith lives — it takes time to examine, experience, and embody our faith.

Confirmation is a time to focus on that journey, to examine where we are in our faith pilgrimages, and to affirm or “confirm” what it is we believe.

Our program offers young people (9th grade & older) the opportunity to prepare themselves for the Rite of Confirmation in which class participants renew their baptisms and affirm their faith before God and the community of faith.

Expectations:

This time of faith exploration requires commitment on the part of the youth participants, their families, and their leaders. Class members will be asked to fully engage themselves in the life of the church, faithfully participating in study, worship, service, and fellowship activities, for it is in these times of faith embodiment that we most fully come to know ourselves and God’s vision for our lives. It is expected that each participant will be part of ALL classes and retreats, and at least one service project.

Confirmands are expected to attend worship services, mission and service projects, Senior High Sunday School, and Youth fellowship activities on a regular basis, and will be asked to reflect on their experiences with the class.

Participants who wish to be confirmed will complete a Faith Statement by April 30th, 2008. A portion of our program time and the bulk of the Spring Retreat will be used to guide participants through the process of creating a personal expression of their faith. In addition, Confirmands will have opportunities to meet with their small group leader throughout the year.

Any questions by parents or Confirmands can be directed to the small group leaders, either of the teachers, or Pastor Welch throughout the year.

Participation in ALL Confirmation classes and retreats.
Preparation of a faith statement.
Regular participation in weekly Senior High Sunday School or. attend Worship on a weekly basis.
Participation in at least one service or mission opportunity during the year.

Confirmands who are absent from any classes or retreats will be given at-home studies and/or projects to complete.

Important Dates:

September 7 Informational Meeting & Registration 11:00-11:45

September 13-14 Fall Retreat at Pilgrim Center 8:30am Sat to 11am Sun

October 5 Class 11am-1pm

October 19 Class 11am-1pm

October 26 Class 11am-1pm

November 8-9 Southeast Wis. Combined Retreat 8:30am Sat to 11am Sun

November 15 Service Project 9am-Noon

December 7 Class 11am-1pm

January 11 Class 11am-1pm

January 25 Class 11am-1pm

February 1 Class 11am-1pm

February 15 Class 11am-1pm

March 1 Class 11am-1pm

March 22 Class 11am-1pm

April 4-5 Spring Retreat at Pilgrim Center 8:30am Sat to 9am Sun

May 1 Confirmation Dinner and Program 5:30-8:30 pm

May 3 Confirmation Sunday 8:00 & 9:30 Worship

** Retreat Times may change. A letter confirming the details will be mailed before each retreat.

Dates and projects for group service opportunities will be determined by the class.

To Confirmation Candidate and Parents:

The time has come to begin planning for the 2008-2009 Confirmation Program. This year, we are changing the format. There will still be 3 retreats, but rather than once a month classes for 4 hours, we are shortening the classes to 2 hours, 11-1 on Sunday mornings (with a lunch break) and holding them twice a month. This is being done in hopes that this will foster a better learning environment. Quite frankly, 4 hours is a long period of time to retain an energy for such vital and fascinating material! We are prayerful that this will not affect your ability to participate in the program, but rather will enrich the experience for all.

We invite you to consider joining our 2009 Confirmation Class. This class is open to all youth in grade nine and above who wish to study our church’s understanding of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, our Church’s history and beliefs, and our call to service in the world … all in an effort to name, articulate, and affirm their own faith.

The class schedule is on the reverse side of this letter. Please note especially the retreat dates, and the actual Confirmation Program & Dinner, and Confirmation Sunday. It is expected that all members of the confirmation class will be in attendance at all the retreats and classes. If you notice any dates that there is a major conflict, please call or email them to Pastor Lisa as soon as possible.

At the Informational Meeting on Rally Day: September 7th from 11 to 11:30, the potential Confirmand and their parents need to attend. You will receive more details about the retreats and classes, as well as meet the advisors and teachers, and complete the necessary paperwork. Please let us know of your interest on the enclosed postcard or call the church office as soon as possible, for sure by August 15th.

We look forward to seeing you in September!
Rev. Lisa Schmatzhagen, Associate Pastor for Youth and Families
pastorlisa@oconomowocucc.org, 567-4461
Chris Mol, Confirmation Teacher

SUNDAY SCHOOL

First Congregational UCC is committed to sharing in the responsibility of educating our young people in the ways of the Lord. We are blessed with a dedicated group of experienced lay leaders who teach from a lectionary/scripture-based curriculum called Seasons of the Spirit. We offer Sunday school classes for ages 3-18 on a weekly basis and in addition offer a dynamic Confirmation class for our ninth graders on a monthly basis. We evaluate our age categories to provide the best learning environment for our youth each year. This breakdown allows our teachers the opportunity to present developmentally appropriate learning material and allows for common ground. Our class configuration breaks down as follows:

Nursery – Ages 2 and younger
Toddlers – Ages 3 and 4
Kindergarten – Age 5
1st grade
2nd grade
3rd grade
4th grade
5th and 6th grade
7th and 8th grade
9, 10, 11, 12th grade

We address various styles of learning by including Bible stories, activities, and crafts. We also include a rotation-style class once or twice per year. This format allows one “theme” to be told on consecutive weeks through different workshops: music, drama, art, cooking, games, crafts, storytelling, etc.

Our middle and high school classes use current events and other personal relevant topics as sources for Christian, faith-based discussions.

Each December, in celebration of Jesus’ birth, our Sunday school students participate in a Christmas Pageant, which is performed in our sanctuary.

Mission is also an integral part of our Sunday school learning, with a portion of our offerings each week supporting the Heifer International program. This is a mission that provides animals to people in developing countries as a means of both food and income earning opportunities. Our children will vote on their choice of animals each year to send their offerings to.

We rejoice in the many smiles, hugs and tender moments shared in our classrooms and we hope that you will find the time to volunteer in this important ministry to our young church members!

The Season After Pentecost:		Notes:
September 7, 2008	Rally Day	Confirmation Information & Registration Meeting 11:00-11:45
September 14, 2008	Normal Class Schedule	Confirmation Retreat
September 21, 2008	Normal Class Schedule
September 28, 2008	Normal Class Schedule	Communion Meeting in Music Room before Sunday School starts
October 5, 2008	Family Worship Service - Worldwide Communion Sunday	*Combined Activities - 5 year olds & Younger Confirmation Class 11-1
October 12, 2008	Normal Class Schedule
October 19, 2008	Normal Class Schedule	Confirmation Class 11-1
October 26, 2008	Normal Class Schedule	Confirmation Class 11-1
November 2, 2008	Shortened class due to communion	7th-12th grades stay in worship
November 9, 2008	Normal Class Schedule	Confirmation Retreat
November 16, 2008	Normal Class Schedule
November 23, 2008	Rotation
The Season of Advent:
November 30, 2008	Rotation	Thanksgiving Sunday
December 7, 2008	Rotation Shortened class due to communion	Middle & Senior High School stay in Worship Confirmation Class 11-1
December 14, 2008	Christmas Pageant
December 21, 2008	Normal Class Schedule
The Seasons of Christmas, and Epiphany:
December 28, 2008	No Class for 3rd - 12th grades	*Combined Activities 2nd Grade & Younger
January 4, 2009	Shortened class due to communion
January 11, 2009	Normal Class Schedule	Confirmation Class 11-1
January 18, 2009	Normal Class Schedule	Senior High Retreat
January 25, 2009	Normal Class Schedule	Confirmation Class 11-1
February 1, 2009	Shortened class due to communion	Confirmation Class 11- 1 7th-12th grades stay in worship
February 8, 2009	Rotation
February 15, 2009	Rotation	Confirmation Class 11-1
February 22, 2009	Rotation
The Season of Lent:
March 1, 2009	Family Worship Service	*Combined Activities - 5 year olds & younger Confirmation Class 11-1
March 8, 2009	Normal Class Schedule	Middle School Retreat
March 15, 2009	Normal Class Schedule
March 22, 2009	Normal Class Schedule	Confirmation Class 11-1
March 29, 2009	Normal Class Schedule
April 5, 2009	Shortened class due to communion	Palm Sunday Confirmation Retreat
April 12, 2009	Easter Sunday	*Combined Activities - 5 year olds & younger
The Season of Easter:
April 19, 2009	Normal Class Schedule
April 26, 2009	Normal Class Schedule
May 3, 2009	Shortened class due to communion	Confirmation Sunday 7th-12th grades stay in worship
May 10, 2009	Normal Class Schedule
May 17, 2009	Normal Class Schedule	Mother's Day
May 24, 2009	No Class for 3rd - 12th grades	*Combined Activities 2nd Grade & Younger
May 31, 2009	Summer Sunday School Begins	Pentecost Sunday


* Combined Activities will be held in the Hearts & Hands classroom
Senior High Stays in Worship for Praise Band Sundays also

WHAT DO WE WANT OUR KIDS TO KNOW?

Consider your own faith journey: How did you come to your present understanding of faith? What were the significant stages along the way? Who were the significant influences in your faith development? The Education Ministry has outlined our plan for your children as they attend Sunday school at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Oconomowoc. This is an active and dynamic plan and we are blessed with many lay leaders who share their love and faith on a weekly basis.

Toddlers – Ages 2 and 3

Our toddler class is a place to play and to learn how to socialize with other children. They often have a difficult time separating from their parents and our goal is to help our youngest learn that church is a safe place and a place to make new friends. The morning includes story time, prayer, songs, crafts and snacks.
Our specific goals for them to learn:

Simple prayers for the table
Simple prayers for bedtime
The Bible is a book of stories
Jesus loves them
Songs that tell Bible stories

Preschool/Kindergarten – Ages 4 and 5

We continue to learn how to make friends, knowing that the church is a friendly place to be. We begin to understand that God is our friend and is with us wherever we are and no matter what happens. The morning includes sharing, prayer, story, crafts, games and snacks.
Our specific goals for them to learn:

Why we pray-talking to God
Learning more about the Bible
Bible stories: Creation, Noah, Moses, and Jesus
The Lord’s Prayer
The Golden Rule

First and Second Grade

Our curriculum explores ways to learn to be church people through puppets, posters, story, song, group activities and art. Some of the themes that are taught include discipleship, God’s persistent love, ways of praying and celebrating each other.
Our specific goals for them to learn:

Church symbols
Application of Bible stories (values)
Learning simple Bible verses

Third and Fourth Grade
We learn more ways to be Christians through welcoming others, becoming stewards of our church and world, and growing in our faith through friendships.
Our specific goals for them to learn:

Learning more about the Bible
Old testament books/New testament books
How to look up Bible verses
10 commandments
Disciples-who they are
Church seasons
Begin in-depth communion discussion

Fifth grade
We develop skills by learning more about the Bible. We discover ways to be disciples through projects, group discussions, art and themes of the church year. Time is spent celebrating Christ’s ministry through expressions of drama, posters and art projects.
Our specific goals for them to learn:

Learning the church calendar year
Church symbols
Discussion of Bible stories and their meanings
Express artistically Bible themes
Knowing the books of the Bible

Sixth, Seventh and Eighth grade

Youth of this age are beginning to break away from parental ties and form important ties with peers. They want to “look good” and be part of the group. It is crucial that these youth develop a real sense of belonging in a positive and accepting group. More abstract thinking is taking place. They appreciate discussions that deal with their everyday problems. We use current events, relevant topics, soda and donuts to entice this age group and have a room filled to the brim with teenagers every week!

Ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth grade

Older teens are moving into owning faith on their own terms. Some begin to inquire more into the faith tradition and stories they have been given. Others accept what has been given them without investigating further. They are moving from the literal and conventional to a more symbolic understanding of faith. They want to be engaged in the ministry of the church at local and community levels and they are concerned about global issues. Adult mentors are important faith companions, and we have a wonderful team that will be with your teens each week to discuss topics that will be relevant to their daily lives. They will discover how the Bible can be their guide through this very important time in their lives.