Faith Formation for Children and Youth
Welcome to Church School at First Church West Hartford! We look forward to meeting you and please join us anytime during the year! We have programs for infants to high school! Read about Homecoming Sunday below, and scroll for details about each age group. – Director of Family Ministry Cindy Tolin
The nursery (Room 405) will be staffed and open every Sunday from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. as usual with Ms. Abby. Children are always welcome to remain in the sanctuary with their families during worship or attend church school with Ms. Cindy and the other adult helpers. Contact Cindy at dirfammin@whfirstchurch.org or stop by during her office hours (Tuesdays 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. & Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Welcome back children and families!
Infant and Toddler Care
Adult supervised childcare for infants and toddlers is provided each Sunday from 9:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. (8:45–10:15 in summer) in Room 405 while parents attend worship.
Registration forms can be filled out online here.
Each week parents are asked to sign their child in and out at one of three check-in stations to ensure their child’s safety. Make sure your contact information is up to date in the system so you can be reached that morning.
Three and Four Year Old’s
After the children’s message each Sunday, three and four-year-olds are invited to meet in room 405. On the first Sunday of each month when Communion is celebrated, however, children celebrate All-Ages worship in the Meeting House to engage the sacraments and traditions of our church in new ways together.
Children are introduced to the Christian faith through stories, music, and simple crafts. Our preschoolers will also be encouraged to get to know one another and our teachers through creative play. This is a self-selecting class, and a child can join this class at a younger or older age if this offering best meets their needs.
Each week parents are also asked to sign their child in and out at the check-in stations located outside the Meeting House entrances to ensure their safety. Make sure your contact information is up to date in the system so you can be reached that morning.
Registration forms can be filled out online here.
Kindergartners through 5th Grade
After the children’s message each Sunday, children in kindergarten through fifth grade are dismissed to their classrooms on the 4th floor. Church School classes end at 11:10 a.m. On the first Sunday of each month when Communion is celebrated, however, children celebrate All-Ages worship in the Meeting House to engage the sacraments and traditions of our church in new ways together.
Our church school program uses the Workshop Rotation Model. Children rotate by class in a different themed workshop for a month-long period. Volunteer teachers lead each workshop on a flexible rotating schedule. During each rotation, children hear about a Bible story in a different way. Children have the opportunity to explore the stories of their faith through drama, games, cooking, building, and art.
Each week parents are also asked to sign their child in at the check-in stations located outside the Meeting House entrances. Make sure your contact information is up to date in the system so you can be reached that morning.
Registration forms can be filled out online here.
6th and 7th Grade
Stay tuned for 2022-23 information for 6th and 7th graders!
8th Grade
Our 8th grade students (and older) are invited to participate in a Confirmation program entitled “Confirm, not Conform.” This is a year which invites exploration and questions! We hope each participant will deepen their faith, and make it their own.
Additionally, during the course of the confirmation year, participants will determine whether or not they wish to confirm the vows their parents made on their behalf at their baptism. If they have not yet been baptized, baptism is offered. Confirmation welcomes these young people into full membership of the church.
In early September there will be an orientation for students and parents to learn more about the program.
A note about masking: Masks continue to be optional for families, children and staff but we reserve the right to adjust the protocol if the need arises or if an outbreak should occur. We will look at the CDC’s Covid Community reports for guidelines.