Church School
and Youth Programs
Attendance Policy Children
who are three years old or older are invited to attend regular Church
School classes. Attendance Charts are maintained in each classroom and
the church office. The Religious Education Committee no longer presents
faithful attendance awards to the children because most often whether
a child is available to attend is out of their control due to transportation
restrictions.
Attendance is very important to the continuity
of learning and reinforcement of our Christian values. We hope that you
will support the Christian Education of your child through attendance
and the support of our Church School Missions interests.
Class Time
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Students begin their morning lessons in the sanctuary
at 9:30 AM as part of the regular worship service. They are dismissed
to their classes following the Children's story. Church School classes
end at approximately 10:45 AM. Please do not knock on the classroom door
and kindly stay out of the view of the windows in the second floor classroom
doors. When the lesson is completed your child's teacher will open the
classroom door. Students in our 3 & 4 year old class through those
in grade 1 should be met at their classroom. Students in grade 2 and above
will be released and directed to meet their family in the Vestry or report
to their music programs. Unless it is an emergency, please be patient
so that the lesson can be prayerfully brought to a close. Many knocks
and loud noises and commotion from outside the classroom is very distracting
to both the students and the teachers. Teachers will do their best to
finish the lesson in a timely manner.
Dismissal Authorization Policy
Any parent who wishes their child, younger than
second grade, to leave the classroom without waiting for adult supervision
must sign and return a release authorization permission slip. This authorization
will be in effect for the entire Church School year, unless otherwise
instructed by the parent or guardian.
Church School Staff
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All our staff members are volunteers who devote
a tremendous amount of physical, mental and emotional energy to this important
mission. Please be gracious and supportive at all times.
Staff Opportunities
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If you have never taught a church school class,
please consider joining our staff. With the demanding lifestyles of the
twenty first century it is often hard to imagine squeezing one more commitment
into your schedule, but please consider doing so. Our curriculum is very
user friendly and the support of a devoted Religious Education team and
readily available supplies will make this work easy. Service to you church,
meeting church members, spiritual growth and the satisfaction of knowing
that you have helped to spread the love and stories of Jesus Christ are
just a few of the many rewards of being a Christian Educator.
Family Worship
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Occasionally throughout the program year the Church
School pupils and staff are invited to participate in a complete worship
service with their family members and members of our Tewksbury Congregational
Church Family. It is very important that the children practice appropriate
behavior for group worship and that they become familiar with the elements
of group worship. Please plan to attend these services with your children.
Children's Worship Activity- Kits
These kits have been prepared to support the ideals
of Family Worship and are available at the back of the church when children
attend the full sanctuary worship service. Please read the cover letter
to learn how you can make the most of this tool. Sharing kits may be necessary
at times. All kits should be returned at the close of the service.
Missions
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Throughout the year, students and families are
asked to participate in our mission projects. The third Sunday of each
month we encourage families to contribute non-perishable foods to the
Tewksbury Community Pantry, which helps to feed people in need of assistance
right here in our town.
Seasonal missions projects include White Gifts
at Christmas, a Thanksgiving ingathering and Heifer Project International.
Children often hear that Christians share with
others in need. Participating in our Missions projects is a concrete way
to express our love and concern for others.
Stewardship
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It is never too early to begin to give of one's
time and material possessions. Offering envelopes are available in each
classroom and the church office to help children develop the habit of
weekly contributions to our Church for it's use within and outside our
Church walls.
Library Resources
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Many books and videos are available for students
to borrow to read at home. Parents of pre-school students may borrow books
to read to their children. There is also a good selection of books for
older children through about grade 6. Books for older youth are being
acquired. There are many adult resources and teachers' resources also
available.
Please help reinforce what your child learns in
the classroom by encouraging the use of the library materials found in
our church office and Parlor.
Special Church School Events
All pupils are given an opportunity to take part
in a Christmas program or pageant.
Children's Day marks the end of our
Church School program year. Students are encouraged to actively participate
in the planning and execution of this worship service. The service is
followed by a picnic lunch or coffee hour reception with special treats.
Nursery Care
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Nursery care is available to all families worshipping
here at Tewksbury Congregational Church. The Nursery is located on the
first floor level off of the Fellowship Hall. Sue Hansford coordinates
nursery care staff. Children newborn to age three are cared for in our
nursery. Children are invited to attend their first regular Church School
class during the program year following their third birthday.
Music Opportunities
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Cherub Choir is open to students
from 3 years old through grade 2. Students typically sing as part of Family
Worship Services and occasionally for other special events. Families interested
in learning more about the Cherub Choir can contact Cathy Stanley at 640-0101
or any member of the music committee.
Junior Choir is open to students
in the third grade and up. This choir typically sings as past of Family
Worship Services and occasionally for other special events. Families interested
in learning more about the Junior Choir can contact Sue Henderson at 851-3024.
Youth English Handbell Choir involves
students in grades 5 and older. Children may join the program as openings
become available. Families interested in learning more about our youth
bell choir should contact Ed Henderson at 851-3024. All the musical
groups rehearse weekly and participate in worship several times a year.
A strong commitment is needed and appreciated, as they are TEAM activities
where overall success requires the involvement of all participants.
Youth Fellowship
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Children in grades 7 - 12 are invited to join the
youth Fellowship. Friends are always welcome. Meetings are held on
scheduled Sunday
evenings, approximately twice per month from 6 - 8 PM. The goal of this group is to explore what it means
to be a Christian every day, not just on Sunday mornings. Fellowship participates
in occasional dances, workshops, retreats and many outreach service projects
along with regular Sunday evening meetings.
Summer Church School
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A mini church school experience is offered to children
who have graduated from the nursery through the completion of grade 2.
The children begin in the regular worship service and are dismissed to
their mini church school experience with volunteer staff.
At Tewksbury Congregational Church, we realize
that the home is where children and youth receive the majority of their
Christian education. We encourage families to discuss the Church School
lesson sometime during the week. We often send resource sheets home to
help start discussions. We encourage families to pray together whether
it is a grace at meal times or bedtime prayers. Prayer can do much to
build strong ties to Christianity. Children will carry these prayer ties
into adulthood. Finally, we understand families may have different needs.
If your family has a need we can help you with, please let us know. After
all, that is what families do.
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