Children + Families
We love our children, and we are blessed by their enthusiasm, insights and compassion! People often say that children are our future, but at First Church, our children are the NOW of the church. Participating in all aspects of our church community, our children lead worship, serve in the community, sing in the choirs and attend Church School.
We have year-round childcare and Church School for our children, and we also have special events throughout the year for our children and families.
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Church School
Sounds of laughter and fun can be heard throughout our church building. We love to learn, share and grow together! Our regular Church School program runs from September through June and is held during the 10:00 am service, while childcare is offered during both services.
In the summer months, we have Summer Church School and offer childcare during the 9:00 am service.
Our classrooms are full each week with wonderful children and engaging volunteers.
Our Babies and Toddlers
Our Crib Toddler room (ages birth – two) continues to be a space full of love and laughter with Ms. Cheryl Foley and volunteers welcoming our youngest children in to play. It’s always a lively time there, and our children learn that our church is a safe and fun place to play and grow.
Our Preschoolers
Our Elementary-Aged Children
Our children love learning age-appropriate lessons in fun ways each week. While using the Rotation Model Curriculum, we focus on a different Bible story for each four to five-week segment using different stations, including art, cooking, science, movie, games and stories. We love doing hands-on activities that help our children learn about God and Jesus and our call to make the world a more compassionate place.
Our Middle Schoolers
The middle school years can be challenging, so we try to create a safe and caring community where our young people can come and know they are loved. In our Agape class, our sixth through eighth graders build connections, learn about their faith and have fun together. Throughout the year, the students will engage in our puppet ministry and work with different songs, Bible stories and themes. Students make them come alive through voice acting, costumes, movement and scenery. Our puppet performances happen during our worship services, and people of all ages love them!
Children and Mission
Sharing God’s love is for people of all ages! Our children comfort, love and serve those in our community and beyond! Each year we have a Church School mission project. We alternate between local projects and international ones, and we teach our children that God calls us to be generous and loving to all people. This year's project supports children in need through HELO Haiti.
We aim to raise $10,000 to give a designated organization each program year. Throughout the year, our children and congregation learn about the specific project and how we can help through our children’s message, a special assembly, classroom lessons and newsletter articles. The children bring in their offerings, and we receive gifts from members of the congregation. We also hold special fundraisers, including wearing our pajamas to church and selling chocolate pops and Advent calendars.
For well over a decade, we have actively participated in the Bloomfield Backpack Project. Each month we send a team of volunteers to help pack the weekend backpacks full of food for children who face food insecurity.
Special Family Events
Christmas Eve Pageant
Advent Messy Church
Family Potluck Dinner
Homecoming Picnic
Family Bingo Night
Easter Pancake Breakfast
Easter Egg Hunt
Lenten Messy Church
Family Summer Picnic
Vacation Bible School
Throughout the year, our children and families come together to learn, connect and have fun!
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During Advent and Lent, we offer Messy Church programs where happiness reigns as children and families make crafts, hear stories, play and enjoy refreshments together.
In September and June, we have all-church worship services and picnics where we worship, eat and play together!
In November, we have a potluck dinner that is open to people of all ages, and in the spring, we have a bingo event for our whole community, as well as the annual Pancake Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt.
Every Christmas Eve, we have a Christmas Pageant where our youth tell the story of Jesus’ birth so long ago. Our children participate by being angels or shepherds and by bringing baby gifts (diapers, wipes and formula) in honor of baby Jesus to give to children in our community who need these basic necessities.
Vacation Bible School at First Church
Smiles, laughter and joy fill the church building and lawn when Vacation Bible School is happening for a week in August! From Monday to Friday there are forty to fifty children learning about their faith through crafts, games, science experiments and much more! We love VBS week, and we hope you do too!
Accessible Playground for All
One slide and swing at a time, our church playground is helping children feel welcome! In 2023, through partnership with the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s Norma and Natale Sestero Fund, First Church dedicated its accessible and inclusive playground so all children would have a safe and fun place to play.
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The Rev. David T. Taylor Playground aims to decrease barriers to enjoyable and safe play. Accessibility involves creating a playground that is usable by everyone, and this playground makes a statement about how First Church values meaningful play experiences for people of all ages and abilities. All are welcome!
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Hours of Operation: Daily, sunrise to sunset
Parking: Church Parking Lot
Address: 2183 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033
Accessible playground opened to the public in 2023
MUNCHKINS ON THE PLAYGROUND
A group of children and their adults gather monthly on our church playground for a time of fellowship and fun. This happens on the first Sunday of each month from 9:00 to 9:50 am (8:00 am in July and August). Come meet new friends, play and each a munchkin or two!
LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
Reading is fun, and we have a Little Free Library on our church lawn! This library was built for an Eagle Scout project by one of our faithful youth, and it is maintained by our Board of Children’s Ministries members. Feel free to take or leave a book or two!
