First Parish Church of Groton : Religious Education

Liz Davis-Chaffin, Director of
Religious Educaion

Our Religious Education Programs

The religious education program for children and youth encourages open inquiry into the questions that life brings, respect for every

To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,–

One clover, and a bee,

And revery.

The revery alone will do

If bees are few.

— Emily Dickenson

individual person as well as for the community at large, and the desire to be involved with social action projects. It strives to welcome, respect, and support the individuals in the family along with the family as a whole.

Children in the religious education program need to be registered for each church year. Registration forms for the 2009/2010 church year are available in online and offline formats. We have reduced last year's multiple forms to one. Details are on the registration page.

For Children

Church school for preschool children through grade 6 convenes Sundays from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. All children begin with their families in the Meeting House.
Nursery care is available for children under age 3 from 9:45 to 11:15 AM each Sunday.
Children’s Choir rehearses on Sunday from 11:30 AM to 12:00 noon.

For Youth

Youth need to be registered for Youth Group programs. Their parents should fill out the RE form, and the youth must speak with the DRE prior to attending.

Junior High Youth Group — Grades 7-8
Two Sundays a month, 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the Great Room in the Parish House
Senior High Youth Group — Grades 9-12
Sunday, 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the Vestry
The Coming of Age Program provides a substantive spiritual program for youth in transition from childhood to adolescence. This program runs every other year and the next program will commence early in 2010.

For Adults

Occasional after-service programs are held on subjects of interest to members.

Small Group Ministry groups are now forming and will meet beginning in early November. Small group ministry allows us to fulfill two of our fondest hopes — for deep friendship, where we can be truly known and accepted for who we are, and for spiritual exploration, time to share our thoughts on questions of profound significance in our lives. Small group ministry serves members and friends of the church who have the yearning people have had throughout the ages — the yearning for intimacy and ultimacy.
Workshops and other discussion groups are held throughout the year.
The FPCoG Men’s Group meets weekly, on Sunday evenings at 6:00 pm, in the minister’s study. This group has been meeting for over three years. It functions as a small group ministry with confidentiality. If you have any interest in this group, please email or [2009-01-06].
The FPCoG Women’s Spirituality Group meets once per month. The format is much like our informal summer services with elements from Spirit Life, such as confidentiality. [2009-09-06]
The Social Action Team meets monthly and provides education and volunteer opportunities for individuals to express their values and faith in the larger world.