Our mission is to create the conditions in which faith can take root and grow. We seek to create the opportunities wherein our children might encounter the dynamic and transforming presence of God. As we point out the paths we have come to know, we also try to be faithful company along the way. This means communicating to Plymouth children and youth that they are an important part of the Plymouth community - that they are cared about and belong. Some of the ways we do that are:
- Teaching the core faith texts, language, hymns and prayers to our young people.
- Including children in the rhythms of weekly worship.
- Sharing the larger Christian story and our particular part in that story.
- Welcoming children in the ongoing process of discovering what it means to live as authentic Christians in the world.
- Helping Plymouth parents support the spiritual and faith development of their children.
We endeavor to provide a loving, learning environment in which our children come to know the biblical story of God's forgiving, liberating and calling grace. We hope they come to know it as their story too. To this end, we provide a variety of learning opportunities for children and youth of all ages. Most of these opportunities are offered on Sunday mornings during the academic year. The education hour begins at 10 AM with learning and worship opportunities continuing through noon. Each classroom is staffed with classroom coordinators and a team of teacher/helpers. For more information, please contact Kris Anderson Ostrem.
A look at Sunday morning's learning opportunities for children and youth:
Infants Through Preschool:
Crib Room: Each Sunday from 10 AM to noon, there are three adults holding babies with more adults hovering in the wings if our ratio of one adult to two babies is passed. A snack and changing supplies provided by parents help the two hours pass smoothly. We do not let babies cry. If a child cannot be consoled, the parents are found. Once infants become sturdy walkers, they move on to the Toddler Class.
Toddler Room: In the Toddler-Two class, emphasis is placed on letting our children know they are loved and safe. Children play with play dough and toys; adults read them stories and sing songs with them. It is a time of fun activity and growing independence as they learn there are caring adults in the world, away from home. Class is offered from 10 AM through noon each Sunday.
Racer and Preschool Rooms: The Racer class (3 year olds) and Preschool class (4 - 5 year olds) is also a 10 AM through noon class experience. These two classes use a curriculum that helps the children begin to hear and experience some basic Bible stories. They have snack and crafts as well as time for music.
Elementary Through Middle School:
Kindergarten/First Grade: This class explores a two-year cycle of Bible stories. Children act out the stories or experience them in other active and creative ways. They also enjoy music and crafts each week as well as snacks. Although this class begins at 10 AM and continues through noon, there is a break in the middle of class. Parents pick up their children at 10:50 AM and the children attend the first part of worship with their families. Following the scripture readings of the day, children return to their class.
Grade 2 through 7: Church School classes begin at 10 AM for these ages. These classes use a lectionary-based curriculum called The Whole People of God. This means that students listen in and explore the same biblical texts used in worship each Sunday. Classes participate in mission and service projects as well as studies and activities related to the biblical stories. Each Sunday they attend worship through the reading of scripture and then leave to participate in the Focus Program.
The Focus Program: The Focus Program occurs during the second half of the 11 AM worship service. This is a program led by musicians and artists in which the children have the opportunity to explore different types of faith expression using a variety of art forms. Often the art projects are hung in the sanctuary to enhance worship for everyone. Our youth also become practiced with hand bells and recorders and are then asked to play them as part of worship.
Eighth Grade/Confirmation
The eighth grade year is a special year for our youth. They are invited to be part of a confirmation program in which they review the whole biblical story and learn the story of the Christian church as well as the story of the United Church of Christ. During this year, youth also explore what the Christian faith is and what it means for their lives. Each youth has an adult mentor who accompanies him/her during the year as they participate in faith exploration and sharing. At the end of the year, members of the class are asked to write their own faith statements and are invited to affirm their baptism in the Rite of Confirmation. They are also welcomed as members of the particular Christian faith community that is Plymouth Congregational Church, UCC.
Plymouth Youth Forum
The Plymouth Youth Forum is a loose and lively gathering of teenagers; we come from eight or nine different high schools scattered all over the city and beyond.
 |
We're busy – with sports, homework, jobs, our families – but we've found that belonging to this particular group often means more than everything else put together. Why else would we make the effort to get ourselves to church on Sunday mornings?! Here, we find not just good friends and food and conversation, although there's definitely all of that. We find opportunities to make life a little bit better, right here in Seattle and also out in the world, on service/mission trips we take together each spring. We find something that nourishes our spirits, and that's rare. Some of us have parents actively involved in Plymouth, and some of us don’t. Some of us are clear about faith, and some of us have barely started to know that it matters. All of us belong.
Back To Top |
