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Programs for Children and Youth
From September through mid-June we offer worship programs for all children--Sunday School classes for Pre-Schoolers through Grade 5, and programs for both Middle School Youth and Senior High Youth. From Homecoming Sunday in September through mid-June, we offer childcare for infants and young children. During the summer we encourage you to bring your children to church with you. You may bring quiet toys or activities for them. All of our teachers, helpers, and youth resource adults have been "coried" (criminal background check).
Questions about these programs should be directed to our Director of Christian Education, Julie Braschler, at our church office, 781-275-7951.
We have handbooks detailing the programs available for parents.
We also offer a large music program (see the Music page).
First Church is making a movie!!
The Board of Christian Nurture along with the Senior High Youth Group will be documenting this year’s comings and goings of the members of First Church to be compiled into a documentary entitled “Faith is a Journey…” and shown on Christian Nurture Sunday in May. Please consider helping us with this project in one or more of the following ways: · Allow video and/or pictures of you and your family to be taken throughout the year · Take video and/or pictures and submit them for possible inclusion in the video · Participate in the various activities going on in the church this program year For more information about this project contact Julie Braschler at the church office or Katie Gerrish (katie.gerrish@gmail.com). If you have a strong preference about NOT being included in this movie please let Julie or Katie know. We hope this will be a good way to document the life of First Church. Please help us.
Sr. High Youth Group
Nothing SHY about the Senior High Youth Group! They are going places in 2010. Starting with a canoe trip down the Concord River on August 30th, the First Church Senior High Youth Group is staying on the move this year. The group is planning to go to Atlanta, Georgia in February to work with the DOOR project for Urban Outreach. They will need to raise money for this journey and have planned many fundraisers. Below is a brief Schedule of Events for the SHY Group. Please mark your calendars. October 1 Deposit due for mission trip October 4 SHY Group leads worship Lunch meeting after church October 17 ALS Walk 2:30 – 7:00 October 18 Pampered Chef Fundraiser 7:00 p.m. October 24 Help serve at Turkey Dinner October 25 SHY Group Meeting 5:30 – 7:30 November 15 SHY Group meeting 5:30 – 7:30 November 22 Bake Sale after church December 5 Babysitting Fundraiser 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. December 13 CMS Gift Sorting & Pizza 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. December 20 SHY Party &Yankee Swap 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. January 10 SHY meeting 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. January 22 Dinner & Scrabble tourney January 29-30 Confirmation Retreat February 7 SHY meeting 5:30 –7:30 p.m. February 12 –16 Mission Trip to ATLANTA February 28 SHY Group lead worship March 7 SHY meeting 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. March 28 SHY meeting 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. April 4 Prepare and Serve Easter Morning Breakfast
Sr. Highs Plan Mission Trip
The Senior High Youth Group is planning a mission trip to Atlanta, Georgia from February 12th-16th. They will participate in the DOOR program. DOOR (Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection) is a faith-based network that provides opportunities for service, learning and leadership development within the urban context. DOOR highlights the strengths of our cities; believing this is best accomplished through collaboration, mutuality, and partnership. DOOR invites participants to see the face of God in the city. Our service assignment may include engaging in learning activities with children; interaction with homeless people at a homeless shelter; sorting donated food or clothing at a redistribution center; lawn and building maintenance for individuals; or meeting with and listening to groups who are working for change in the city. There will also be time for reflection on the events of the day. On Sunday we will participate in Sunday morning worship with an urban congregation. We will also have time to tour the city, learn about the cultural history of the area, and visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Social Justice and/or the Jimmy Carter Library. The Senior Highs are planning several fundraising activities for the fall. For more information, please contact Julie Braschler, Mary Criscione, Katie Gerrish or Kathy Harris.
Middle School Youth
.Below are photos of our middle school youth in action this past year.
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 Nursery and PreSchool
We have separate rooms for infants and those of pre-school age. We offer clean, age appropriate toys and books which allow your children to experience the love of God in caring ways while you enjoy worship services. Pre-schoolers also enjoy using crayons and play dough. All child care providers have been "coried" (criminal background check).
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Children and Youth
Sunday School Schedule for November 11/1 Nursery and Preschool class begin at 10:00 a.m. Kindergarten – Middle School start out in worship then dismissed to class after teaching moment. There will be a Teachers’ Communion downstairs after worship today. Please join us in Lower Fellowship Hall at 11:30 a.m. 11/8 Nursery and Preschool class begin at 10:00 a.m. Kindergarten – Middle School start out in worship then dismissed to class after teaching moment. 11/15 Nursery and Preschool class begin at 10:00 a.m. Kindergarten – Middle School start out in worship then dismissed to class after teaching moment 11/22 Thanksgiving Sunday “We Gather Together” Nursery and Preschool class begin at 10:00 a.m. Kindergarten – Middle School come back for special music during worship today. Nurture Hosts Coffee Hour Senior High Youth Group Bake Sale fund-raiser for Mission Trip to Atlanta 11/29 Nursery and Preschool class begin at 10:00 a.m. Kindergarten – Middle School start out in worship then dismissed to class after teaching moment.
ALS Walk and CROP Walk 2009
Senior High Youth Group Participated in “Walk to D’feet ALS” Many of our youth and adults walked the 3.5 mile walk around Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield, MA on Saturday October 17th. Many thanks to all who walked and made donations to support this.
CROP Walk—October 18th
 Despite the inclement weather, rain and intermittent snow flakes, the 2009 CROP Walk got underway in Concord, MA as scheduled on Sunday, October 18th. Walkers were given an option of traversing an abbreviated 2.5 miles trek or returning for a "good faith" jaunt at another time. Mike and Ruth Gural made the trek in one hour inspired by the enthusiasm of the assembled crowd, an on site high school pep band as well as a Dixieland jazz band. Rob Millar, Dale and Judy Watkins and Bruce Blake served as crossing guard volunteers and got drenched.
Middle School students Jeff Burke, Ryan Libby, Anthea Thompson, Amanda Brown, Ben Stacey, Marc Printz and Josh Burke were ready to brave the weather but RAs Allyson Printz, Debbie Burke and Wendy Stacey decided that rain AND snow was just too much! One of the many highlights of the day was 2nd place recognition by our Middle Schoolers in the very competitive banner contest...and, importantly, raising approximately $1,750 from our congregation and extended family of friends toward CROP's mission of "Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty". Many thanks to those who sponsored our Middle School students!
Variety Show 2009
The variety show sponsored by the youth this spring was lots of fun with participation from both youth and adults. Below are a few photos from this fun event.
 | The Whistlers
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By the time you received our September newsletter, all prospective confirmands should have had their pre-course interviews and be ready to begin the year’s program . 
