Home - First Baptist Church Halifax

Christian Education Ministries

Children's Sunday School - K-6
These classes meet Sunday mornings at about 10:45. The children participate in the first part of the service in the Sanctuary. After a Children's Story, they go with their teachers to classes in our Christian Education Wing. The classes last for about 45 minutes, so that the children are ready to rejoin their parents after the service. For information contact the Church School Superintendent through the Church Office.

Youth Sunday School
The Youth Class for Grades 7-12 meets in the Boardroom during the same time period as the elementary classes, beginning at 10:45 am.

Sunday School Registration was held on September 13th. If you missed out, it isn't too late! Online registration forms are still available here.

Mid-Week Adult C. E.
We have regular opportunities for adult Christian Education:
1. Dr. Pauline Allsop conducts a Bible Study on Tuesday mornings from 10-11. All are welcome!

2. From time to time Rev. John E. Boyd conducts Bible Studies and other series on Wednesday evenings. Various books of the Bible are studied in depth using the best of contemporary critical biblical scholarship. For details on our current series see below. Everyone is welcome.

3. The Intergenerational Fellowship Group meets monthly in the church or in the homes of members for fellowship and discussion. After a potluck family meal, there are activities for children while the adults take part in a book or video study. Currently, this group is reading and discussing Marcus Borg's "Meeting Jesus Again For The First Time".

New Member Classes
These classes are held regularly before Easter and Pentecost.
Classes are held at other times upon request.
First Baptist receives members by baptism or by letter of transfer from another Baptist Church. Christians from other denominations are welcomed as Members after attending new member classes.
More information is available on the Membership Class page or by contacting Rev. John E. Boyd ,

Celebrating 60 Years of CE Leadership

Sunday, June 21^st, 2009 was a day of celebration as First Baptist marked 60 years of Christian Education Leadership since moving into our current building at 1300 Oxford Street. Through the efforts of a group chaired by Ed Tummers, former and current Sunday School Superintendents, CE Board Chairs and Ministers/Associate Ministers of CE were invited and many were able to attend. We were especially pleased to welcome former Associate Ministers Rev. Dr. Phillip Griffin-Allwood (1986-89) and Rev. Adele Crowell (1989-1994).

During the service current CE Chair, Erick Lee, welcomed our visitors and thanked those who had given such great leadership over the decades. He also thanked the current team of teachers and leaders and led in presentations to graduating High School students. Former Sunday School Superintendent, Bev Smith, read the First Lesson, former CE Board Chair, Garnet Colwell, read the Epistle and former Associate Minister, Rev. Dr. Phillip Griffin-Allwood, read the Gospel. The congregation was delighted by the musical offerings of the Junior Choir, the Men's Choir and by organ-piano duets by Dr. Michio Suzuki and Lynette Wahlstrom.

Following the service we gathered in the Assembly Room for an indoor "picnic" and an opportunity to bid a warm and appreciative farewell to Rev. John Gahan who has served us as Minister of CE since November 2007. Both Rev. John Boyd and Diaconate Chair, Sheila Stanley, spoke of the many blessings of John's ministry at First Baptist and the high esteem in which he is held. Gifts were presented to John - a lap top from the members of the Diaconate and Board of CE by Erick Lee, and a "purse" representing personal gifts from many members of the congregation by Sheila Stanley. In his response John graciously spoke of his time with us and challenged us to remember the importance of faith formation for adults. He also engendered a hearty laugh as he put a yarmulke on his head and suggested his next ministry might be as a Rabbi!

Here are a few pictures from this day of celebration (thanks to Ed Tummers):

50^th Anniversary CE Celebration

On May 24, 2009, there was a wonderful celebration of the work of Christian Education as we welcomed those who had joined First Baptist 50 years ago, as well as some who have been members for over 70 years. One participant, Phyllis McMahon, joined the Church at the age of 10, 79 years ago! Here are some pictures take by Doug Eisner.