The United Church of Chester Christian Education

The Christian Education program is offered by the church in its desire to live fully the Baptismal Covenant we make with children and families who join the church. Through the programs offered, the church strives to:

Provide a safe, wholesome and engaging environment for learning.

Educate youth and adult members in the Christian faith in line with recommendations
by the United Church of Christ.

Provide mission, ministry and fellowship opportunities for church youth.

Foster a natural curiosity and love of learning about the Christian faith by cultivating the concepts of unconditional acceptance and a sense of belonging to a larger community of faith.

Programs encompassed by Christian Education include:

Nursery Care
Nursery Care is provided for infants and toddlers 6 weeks to 3 years of age. The Nursery is staffed by parents and other volunteers. It is available on Sundays from 9:50 a.m. to 11:05 a.m. (or when service ends) during the school year, generally following the local school schedule. Additional times are available on an "as needed basis". The Nursery is located in the Christian Education building, has a private children's bathroom and changing table and is stocked with books, toys and crafts. Parents of children in the nursery are kindly asked to help staff the nursery on a rotational basis and to help keep the toys clean. For more information contact the office at 860-526-2697.

Church School
Church School is provided for children from preschool (age 3 and out of diapers) to the 8th grade. It is staffed by parents and other volunteers and is coordinated by the Minister of Christian Education. Children attend 15 minutes of service in church, including a special Children's Time, after which they depart to the Christian Education Building and attend class until service ends (about 11:05 a.m.). Church School is currently offered during the school year and generally follows the local school schedule with "family oriented" worship offered at other times. The children take their own monetary collection during class for a charity chosen by them. At various times during the year, special children's programs and music events also take place. Parents and other church members are most welcome and much needed to teach or "shepherd" (assist) a class of their choice. No experience is necessary! The curriculum is user-friendly and teaching is a wonderful way to connect with the children! For more information or to volunteer, please contact the church office.

Confirmation Classes
Students in 9th grade (or older) may participate in the one-year Confirmation program led by the Pastor and Deacons. Students attend the full service on Sundays or volunteer in the church school, and special confirmation classes meet at least twice monthly. Requirements for confirmation generally include attendance, active participation and community service to ensure an adequate and well-rounded education in the Christian faith with experience in serving the community in the spirit of Christian charity. Provided the requirements are met, students may be confirmed as formal members of the church in the spring. For more information, please contact Reverend Kathy Peters.

Pilgrim Fellowship
Pilgrim Fellowship (or "PF") is a youth group sponsored by the church for children in Grades 7 to 12. It is guided by Pilgrim Fellowship Advisors (lay persons from the church) and it meets every other Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall during the school year. The program's aim is to foster fellowship through participation in community service activities, intergenerational and intercongregational events and activities that are just plain fun! Community Service activities may count towards Confirmation Class requirements and community service requirements of the school system (check with your school). Parents are encouraged to help organize and chaperone events. For more information, contact a Pilgrim Fellowship Advisor.

Adult Bible Study
The Pastor, Kathy Peters, currently offers a Bible Study and Prayer Shawl Ministry group which meets on Mondays from 12:00 Noon until 1:30 p.m. in the PF Room. Other Adult Bible Study programs are offered periodically. For more information, please contact Reverend Kathy.

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Notes About Safety:
Safety is a number-one priority for the United Church of Chester.
A few of the safety measures associated with the Christian Education program include the following:

Registration:
Registration forms for various programs are to be completed annually and given to the Minister of Christian Education. Especially important on these forms are allergies, special needs and emergency contact information.

Teachers and Shepherds (assistants):
The church requires that two adults (one of whom may be a responsible youth who is either confirmed or in the confirmation program) be present in each classroom at all times. If this is not possible, the door to the classroom will remain open open and a floater will check in periodically. Each Teacher and Shepherd undergoes annual traning and agrees to a formal background check.

Pick-Up and Droff-Off
Children in the Nursery and Preschool class need to be dropped off and picked up immediately following service by a parent or adult caretaker. Older children are escorted from service to the Christian Education Building and back to Fellowship Hall by a Teacher or Shepherd.

Off-Church Actvities
Permission slips are required for all church-sponsored excursions off church grounds and there are special requirements for drivers to transport children.

Fire Drills and First Aid
Church School fire drills are held annually in the fall and are announced in advance. A First Aid Kit is available in the Christian Ed Building and a two-way radio allows urgent contact with ushers during service.

Outdoor Play
The church requests that children playing outdoors be supervised by an adult at all times.