You are Invited to Our
Christmas Eve Worship Service
5:00 pm Christmas Eve Family Worship
Children of all ages are most welcome!
Come hear the children’s story Who Built the Stable: A Nativity Poem, written by Ashley Bryan, read by Rev. Elaine Gaetani. All children will receive a special Christmas ornament to take home. Closing hymn of “Silent Night” using battery operated candles.
7:00 pm Evening Worship Service
Readings, carols and candle light. Rev. Paul Sangree preaching.
Important Upcoming Dates:
December 2 – 5:30-7:30 Jr. High Youth Group, Dinner and a movie
December 12 – 6 – 7 Confirmation Class, Christmas Party and Gift Swap
December 14 – 9:15–11:15 M.O.M.S
December 15 – 10 – 12 Pageant Dress Rehearsal
December 16 – 10:00 Children’s Christmas Pageant and Happy Birthday Jesus Party
December 16 – 5:30 Jr. High Youth Group, Dinner and Christmas Carols at Beaumont
December 28 – 9:15 – 11:15 M.O.M.S.
January 2 – 6 – 7 Confirmation Class
January 10 – 6:30 Teacher Training
January 11 – 9:15 – 11:15 M.O.M.S.
January 20 – 5:30 Jr. High Youth Group, Vestry
Registration
The church school is abuzz with preparations for fall! Registration forms are available online, at the farmer’s market on Thursdays and at the CE bulletin board. Please take time to register each of your children involved in our programs as it helps us to prepare the rosters and provide high quality programming for the year. Parents of registered children should automatically receive emailed church school updates, but if you would like to be otherwise added to our list, please send an email to us at: congregationalchurchschool@yahoo.com.
Leadership
Cathy Purcell has stepped up to Co-Chair the Board of Christian Education this year along with Nancy Cavanaugh who will also serve as the Acting Superintendent of Sunday School until we have identified a settled Christian Education Director. We will continue our search to fill this vital position afresh in the fall with the guidance of Rev. Paul Sangree.
New Year Beginnings
In September, the church school kids will spend some time getting to know each other and kicking off the story of creation, exploring how God’s spirit pulses in and through all of creation and affirming our kinship with all that God has created and is creating.
The kids are off to a great start. They will be spending this month in larger groups (K-3 and 4-8) as they get to know each other and as we configure classes based on registration, we will break them into smaller groups for next month. There are additional registration forms available in the vestry…please fill one out if you have not already!
Confirmation class will begin in October and will be led jointly by Rev. Paul Sangree and Rev. Elaine Gaetani.
Teacher Volunteers
Please consider volunteering to help with our Church School program. In addition to our own new ideas, we have purchased a new curriculum that allows for online access to already prepared lesson plans based on the weekly lectionary.
On Sunday morning during the school year, children begin in the service with their parents to worship for a time. The children are called down to the front of the church for a special Children’s Chat, after which they go to class.
During the school year, we provide safe, fun and nurturing care for young children birth – 4 years old in our cribbery under the supervision of church volunteers. In the summer, we open the space for parents to use with their children as needed during worship.
Our Church School offers an interactive approach to Christian education with year-round programming. For our kindergarten – eighth graders, we use both lectionary based and rotational curriculums to teach the lessons and stories of the Bible in dynamic and age appropriate ways, encouraging a deeper relationship with God and a lifelong love of Christian learning. Our classrooms afford us the ability to expose the children to the lessons through drama, art, cooking, and geography in addition to traditional settings. Our summer programming provides a multi-age format with special themes and projects.
For children in grades 4-8, we offer a special “Deepening Communion” unit each year to help prepare them to join their families for Communion worship services and to deepen their understanding of the sacrament.
We have an active, experiential Confirmation program for 9th graders as preparation for membership in the church. We offer Confirmation classes for children in 9thgrade and older who have not yet been confirmed. This class meets with one of the pastors during the week while confirmands attend worship with their families on Sundays and mentor and help younger church school classes.
We are also a safe church.
If you would like additional information, please contact the church office at (508) 366-2000
THE YEAR AT A GLANCE (MILESTONES)
September
New church school year begins…
October
Communion Unit
December
Christmas Pageant
March/April/May
Palm Sunday
3rd Grade Bibles Presented
Confirmation
Children’s Sunday
Summer
Vacation Bible School
Sundae Sundays
Board of Christian Education
Nancy Cavanaugh, Co-Chair
Cathy Purcell, Co-Chair
Beth Dapolite
Brenda Lord
Amber Bock
Darvin Kapitz
Kristi Allen
Erin Dimick
Elizabeth Lombre
Lisa Ruberti
Confirmation class 2012-2013
The confirmation class is open to all 9th graders or anyone of high school age who has not been confirmed. Confirmands meet weekly with the pastor or mentor from late October through late April, with Confirmation on May 1st. The goal of Confirmation Class: deeper discipleship (i.e. the “formation”, through clarification, example, experience and instruction, of young people who more closely resemble, in their lifestyles, beliefs, and values, disciples of Jesus). The emphasis of the class is biblical, whole-person, hands-on and faith based. We seek to build upon Christian growth already begun. It will also focus on our Christian heritage, and our Protestant/UCC identity. Confirmation seeks to provide a growing experience that combines fun, fellowship, reflection, biblical insight and faith development. Highlights of the class will be an overnight “lock-in”, a retreat, a mentor relationship with a member of the church, “faith exploration” events involving other faiths and traditions, joint meetings with other confirmation classes, a taste of inner city ministry and opportunities for service. Pastors Paul and Elaine will facilitate the program.
INFORMATIONAL MEETING WITH PARENTS : Thurs. Oct. 25 @ 6:30 In Chapel .
CLASSES WILL BE SCHEDULED for every other Wed. Eve. from 6:30 – 7:30 . TBD
Students will be asked to choose a Mentor from the church.
SAVE THE DATE: CONFIRMATION SUNDAY May 19th, 2013
Congo Kids & Jr. High Youth Group
The Congo Kids is a church youth group for children in grades 4 and 5. The Jr. High Youth Group is geared toward students in grades 6 – 8. The Youth Group meetings are an opportunity for the children of our church to come together in a relaxed environment to socialize and experience the joys of putting the principles of our faith into action.
Both groups meet twice a month for dinner, socializing, recreational activities and spiritual growth. Past events have included rock climbing, roller blading, delivering Valentine greetings to seniors and scavenger hunts.
Sr. High Youth Group
Stay Tuned! More information coming soon….
Adult Education Classes
An invitation to all adults of the church– Each month, Rev. Elaine Gaetani spends an hour going over the upcoming lectionary lessons…used both in worship and in Church School. This is an excellent opportunity for Adult Christian Education and Faith Development as well as a chance for teachers to gain a better understanding of the lessons they will teach. Upcoming dates: Thursday, September 13 at 6:30 PM and October 11 at 6:30. Please join us!
WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES
Films, Faith, Spirituality and Healing for Life
October 3, 10, 17, 24 in the
Fanny Forbes Room, 6:30-8:00 pm
Come and join us for the viewing the lively discussion of three significant films that Rev. Elaine and Kathy Todd will be presenting and leading in a group conversation. We will seek to tie in our faith lives, scriptures, ideas and faith experiences that are raised in these films.
The films we will be viewing the discussing are:
Winn-Win, Flight From Death, Holding Our Own.
M.O.M.S. – Moms Offering Moms Support
Are you a stay home mom who would like to get out and talk with other moms? Do you work part time and would like to connect with other women in the community?
The Congregational Church of Westborough has started a new women’s group which meets on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month from 9:30 – 11 am. The group will meet informally in the Vestry (downstairs in the church), and have coffee and conversation. The direction of the group will be decided by the group. We will consider the possibility of a small Bible study or a book discussion, or maybe we will just sit and enjoy a cup of coffee.
Childcare will be provided from 9:15 – 11:15 am in the Cribbery at the church.
If you are interested in coming or have questions, please contact the Church Office at (508) 366-2000. No RSVP is required, but we would appreciate knowing if you will use childcare so it can be appropriately staffed.
