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Elementary Faith Formation
SUNDAY MORNING CHILDREN’S FAITH FORMATION
September through May from 9:40 am to 10:45 am
WORKSHOP ROTATION for Elementary children is BACK!!!! This year we will be continuing in rotation-based curriculum around the theme of SHALOM connected to youth and adult faith formation
All children from Preschool through 5th grade will begin in the Music Room to sing, hear the story, ask questions and pray together before splitting into age groups to engage the story on a deeper level.
Each workshop focuses on a different creative learning style or “intelligence,” which broadens memory and biblical literacy. Through rotations of games, drama, science, cooking, art and more, we hope to engage the whole child in growing in faith.
We ask that all children involved in our Faith Formation program have an emergency contact form on file. This can be found on our website under forms. Click here.
In order to assure the safety of our children and youth, all adult volunteers have been cleared through a background check and have signed our Safe Church policies.
For Faith Formation programming details, click here
Youth Ministry Mission Statement
(Created by the Faith Formation Team 4/28/2016)
The Youth Ministry of Peace United Church of Christ is a fun and inclusive community that:
- Nurtures and develops youth on their faith journey
- Fosters safe and trusting relationships
- And provides opportunities for service
Middle School & High School Faith Formation
SUNDAY MORNING YOUTH FAITH FORMATION
September through May from 9:40 am to 10:45 am
Our Middle School and High School class begin together to check in and talk about the focus for the day before splitting into smaller groups for activities or discussion on the theme. This year, our focus is on Shalom and a vision for wholeness that is inclusive and creative, and that connects to what the children and adults are also learning.
We ask that all youth involved in our Faith Formation program have an emergency contact form on file. This can be found on our website under forms. Click here.
For Faith Formation programming details, click here
In order to assure the safety of our children and youth, all adult volunteers have been cleared through a background check and have signed our Safe Church policies.
Wednesday Evening Study
Starting September 19th, youth are invited to come to church for dinner and conversation. We utilize a peer led ministry model that develops youth into leaders and provides for youth to co-create their experience with the assistance of adult leaders. For more information on peer led ministry, click here
5:00 pm: Dinner Prep – All are welcome to come and learn kitchen skills
6:00 pm: Dinner
7:00 pm: Peer led conversation & fellowship
Confirmation
(September – May)
At Peace UCC, Confirmation occurs bi-annually for youth during their 8th or 9th grade year (Sept – May, being confirmed in May). The 2019-20 class has begun with Debby Adams (Church Administrator) and Pastor Paul (Senior Pastor) taking the primary lead on the Confirmation program. This year we are gathering our current 7 & 8 graders to be engaged with this Confirmation Class. The program calls our youth to become involved, and participate in, a variety of ministries of Peace UCC. This will be an intentional program allowing our youth to explore their faith, engage with the Bible (each class participant received a reference study Bible), ask questions, learn about the church, build relationships with one another, and develop connections with other adults, and HAVE FUN!
While we will be providing specific confirmation (class) gatherings and activities, the engagement of the confirmands beyond the “Confirmation Sessions” will be essential. These opportunities will include mission trips, youth outings, Sunday morning Faith formation, worship, service opportunities, etc. The thrust of Confirmation is to empower these incredible young people to understand how their faith and gifts are connected to provide care, service, mission, and love towards/for others. It is also a powerful time for these young people to develop deep, lasting relationships.
Click here for the 2019-2020 program dates.
Click here for the Confirmation Worship Worksheet. Each student needs to complete 8 of these during the program year, along with a family member. Then create a combined worksheet after discussion.
Assignments
#1: Due 10/27/19 (RESCHEDULED DATE)
Questions about this year’s program can be directed to Debby Adams or Pastor Paul.
Thursdays from 7 – 8am in the Peace Room
Intergenerational women’s group that shares our life experiences in relation to a chosen topic. All women invited. For the next several weeks, discussion will be based on a weekly podcast. Check with the Welcome Desk for the list of podcasts.
Tuesdays from 5 – 6pm at Glynner’s Pub
(1643 North Broadway, Rochester)
Each week we will review two interpretations of scripture and discuss how it relates to our every-day lives
OWL (Our Whole Lives)
OWL LIFESPAN SEXUALITY EDUCATION CURRICULA
Our Whole Lives is a series of sexuality education curricula that was co-written by the United Church of Christ and Unitarian Universalist denominations. We offer the Kinder – 1st Grade, 4th-5th, 7th-9th and 10th-12th grade classes every other year. Each class has 2 teachers that have been trained in the OWL curriculum and teaching methods. These classes have been taught at Peace UCC since 2009. Our Whole Lives equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, Our Whole Lives not only provides facts about anatomy and human development, but also helps participants clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality.
You can read more about the program at on their website.
