Each child at St. Paul is a precious gift from God. We feel so blessed to spend time with them, offering a safe environment for our little ones to hear the most beloved stories and introduces little ones to God’s love and care. We play and sing songs in an age-appropriate way.
KINDERGARTEN-FIFTH GRADERS
Children in the elementary grades go to church with their parents every Sunday. They will be called forward to listen to the Message for All Ages. They will then follow their teachers to their classrooms in the lower level right under the church sanctuary. Our curriculum is Spark Lectionary which connects kids with Bible stories heard in worship. Kids learn at their level. We focus on hands on learning with packed activities, interactive games, and creative crafts. Children in Kindergarten, First and Second grade are picked up by a parent, authorized adult or older sibling from their classroom. Children in second through five grades will be dismissed from their classrooms.
SIXTH-EIGHTH GRADERS
Church is a time of holiness, an opportunity to gain experience in our understanding of God’s love for us and his desires for our lives. Youth can experience and appreciate this if given the opportunity. Youth of all ages can enjoy music and prayers and begin to learn valuable lessons, even from sermons aimed at adults. They do not get everything, but they can get something from observing the fervency and genuineness of the church's expression of love for God, dependence upon Him, and joy in Him. This is the value of having youth in church. Youth progressively understand what a parent and the wider church members love and appreciate. All youth sixth grade through eighth grade will be attending church the 1st and 3rd Sundays. They will have Sunday school/ Faith Formation classes on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. The sixth, through eighth grade are using the Mini Revolutions curriculum based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Youth practice the rhythms and experience the seasons of the church year through the revolutions of the liturgical calendar. Each week, one scripture from the weekly liturgical readings provide discussion questions to help youth enter into the season’s story. The activity, micro practice, and prayer help each youth embrace their own mini revolutions each week.
SENIOR HIGH YOUTH
Youth in grades 9-12 are encouraged to worship with their family and or friends each Sunday morning. Senior high youth can share their time and talents as a youth volunteer in our nursery, preschool and elementary classrooms. Contact Denise Johnson, Director of Christ Education for more details.
St. Paul United Church of Christ 127 St. Paul Street Columbia, IL 62236 Phone: (618)281-5102 www.stpaulcolumbia.org