Education/Ministries

Christian Education

It’s hard to believe I’ve almost completed five years here at First Church. Where has the time gone? It’s been filled with many joyous, educational and wonderful moments working with the dedicated, loving and passionate people here at First Church.

I continue to work-part time since I am attending Andover Newton Theological School as a full-time Master of Divinity student. This is my last semester, and this summer I will be completing my last requirement - Clinical Pastoral Education at Griffin Hospital in Derby.

Again this year we have over 50 dedicated teachers and 20 childcare volunteers. We are blessed with dedicated and loving volunteers and a wonderful hired childcare provider, Cheryl Foley. Jen Kernisan and Lisa Charles have continued in their positions of volunteer church school coordinators. Valerie Escalera and other office volunteers help with various Christian Education tasks. All these volunteers help to make our programs run smoothly.

Our liturgical dance troupe and program grew this year. The troupe shared their gifts both in church and at special events throughout the year. Also, Sharon LaFargue, Carol Tiroff and a few 5th graders worked with the kindergarten class. The kindergarteners shared their love of God through dance during worship. We included dance at the Advent Workshop and Vacation Bible School. The children love having fun and praising God in active ways!

We continued to offer sixth, seventh and eighth graders the option of going into our puppet troupe or Explore. Our puppet troupe grew, and throughout the year, the troupe performed in church, during church school assemblies and at special events, including the Harvest Supper, Advent Workshop and Lenten Family Workshop.

The Explore program consists of 4-6 week long units that focus on a particular topic or activity involving education, exploring faith and values, and putting what the young people have learned into practice. Some of the topics included an interfaith unit, a mission unit and one on Jesus and the parables.

The members of the Board of Christian Education and I continue to try and support the teachers as much as possible. This is our fourth year of having "teacher talk and teas." Throughout this year, groups of teachers gathered together to share the joys and struggles of teaching. We also brainstormed new ideas and got to know each other better.

Last August, we had Vacation Bible School for 70 young people. It was a great experience, and we’re in the midst of planning this year’s VBS. We are collaborating with New Hope Church in East Hartford again this year.

We continued to offer summer church school for all children ages three through eighth grade last summer. The rotation model of curriculum allowed the children to learn all about "Living as Caretakers." This year the children will engage in all sorts of hands-on activities that will help them learn about how all people are beloved children of God.

With the help of the CE board, our annual events all went well. In November, we held the book sale, and in December, we sponsored one of our two church Giving Trees. Many gift cards, socks, hats and mittens were delivered to Glastonbury Social Services. The Advent Workshop was successful again this year. Like usual, people from South Park Inn joined us. At the Christmas Eve 4:30 p.m. service, baby gifts were collected in honor of baby Jesus. The items were donated to local children in need. I worked with Chris Mereschuk and Ruth Martz on organizing the pageant service. Another annual event - the deacons talking to the children about communion - took place in January. This discussion and communion celebration is in preparation for Family Communion Sunday, the first week in February.

On Palm Sunday, we held our second Lenten Family Workshop called "Journey Through Holy Week." About 70 children and adults came together to learn about the events of Holy Week.

We were also busy keeping the Cradle Roll in Schultz Hall up to date, promoting three-year-olds, presenting Bibles to the third graders and participating in One Great Hour of Sharing. Thanks to Sally Whipple, Jill Zimmerman, Katharyn Laudone and Ruth Martz for collecting and circulating new materials in the library.

Again this year, the whole church school is participating in a mission project. We are currently raising money for our "Building Bridges with Books: The First Church/Wish Connection" mission project. First Church has been working with Fred Wish Elementary School in Hartford for over 10 years now. With the money raised, we have bought books for classrooms, the library and one book for each child to take home. The children here at church have been busy learning about this project through classroom discussions, children’s messages and church school assemblies. So far we have raised over $6,000 for this great project.

Additionally, every class has taken on their own individual mission project. From collecting toothbrushes and other bathroom supplies for people at South Park Inn and gathering stuffed animals for children who are have gone through traumatic situations, to making blankets for children of prisoners to designing necklaces and cards for shut-ins, to collecting dog and cat food for the Protectors of Animals to donating socks to women in need, to distributing school supplies to our friends in New Britain at Pathways/Senderos and meeting new friends and sharing the gift of song, the children at First Church have been busy understanding the importance of reaching out and spreading God’s love.

I enjoy interacting and getting to know the children and adults here at First Church. I work with dedicated volunteers, including our teachers, childcare volunteers, superintendent Kelley Philbrook, Board of Christian Education members and office volunteers. Our supportive staff makes this a great place to work.

Blessings,

Kate VanDerzee

Director of Christian Education

BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
2009 Gail Gagnon
2009 Kate Lawes - chair
2009 Katharyn Laudone
2009 Linda Sill
2010 Carol Kimmel
2010 Jerry Jones - vice chair
2010 Melissa Thompson
2010 Stacy McHenry
2010 Karen Vigeant
2011 Kate McDonald
2011 Tim Wildman
2011 Laura Wildman
2010 Jen Kernisan
2011 Leslie Donovan
Youth Representatives - Johanna Clair, Kyle Kulas