Board of Christian Education
Church School Programs

* Regular Church School runs from September to June. *

* Youth Group activities are held year-round. *

On Sundays:

• Babies and toddlers are invited to play and read Bible stories in the staffed nursery during church.
• Children in grades PreK-8 worship with their families until the children’s time, after which they will be dismissed for church school.
• Children in prekindergarten and kindergarten will engage in Godly Play. Godly Play is designed to help young children experience God. A storyteller leads the class in learning basic Bible stories, and children are encouraged to explore the stories using manipulatives.
• Children in grades 1-5 will experience Seasons of the Spirit. The children will engage biblical text through art, drama, contemporary story, and activities that connect with real life concerns. As they enter the Bible story through imagination and life connections they are encouraged to develop Bible skills, ask questions, and explore faith traditions. Seasons of the Spirit is an international lectionary-based church school curriculum that nurtures spiritual development through ritual and encouraging relationships with peers and adults.
• Youth in grades 6-8 will be Acting on Faith through Service. The youth will live out there faith through serving the world around them as Jesus did. They will have the chance to be creative as they will be designing their own projects. Our service will include: Serving the Wide World, Serving Westmoreland, Serving our Community, and Serving the Earth.
• Youth in grades 9-12 are encouraged to attend worship on Sundays. On the second Sunday of each month, they are invited to gather in the Youth Room for pizza and fellowship. Please see youth programs for more information.

Worshipping with Children:

• Arrive in time to find a good place to sit. Make sure children can see.
• Ask an usher for special children's bulletins for ages 3-6, and ages 7-12, which have activities about the Bible stories.
• Let the children know what's next in the service. When they ask questions, answer them briefly.
• After church school, talk with your child about his/her experience. This is a wonderful way to share your faith stories and to help them build their own faith frameworks.

Children's Choirs at Westmoreland

Children are also invited to participate in the music program at Westmoreland. There two choirs for children in grades 1-3 and grades 4-7. See the Children's choir page for details on rehearsal and performance dates.

For additional information, contact Rev. Jessica Petersen, Minister for Children, Youth, and Families at (301) 229-7766.

Last updated Wednesday, September 23, 2009.

1 Westmoreland Circle
Bethesda, MD 20816
301-229-7766
Email the church office: churchinfo@westmorelanducc.org
www.westmorelanducc.org

An Open and Affirming Congregation
 

© 2006 Westmoreland United Church of Christ
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