We are committed to raising the next generation of Christians by providing a strong sense of church community, a love of God, and a desire to bring about justice for all people. Children and youth are a beloved part of our community, celebrated and included in worship and intergenerational events.
We have multiple ways for children and youth to participate, including Sunday School, children’s choir, and a multi-church youth group for middle schoolers and high schoolers full of fun and service opportunities.
For more information about children’s programming, contact our Interim Coordinator for Children and Youth, BJ Carter.
CHILDCARE
Children of all ages and families of all types are welcome and celebrated in worship. Kids and babies are welcome to stay in the sanctuary during worship with their families/caregivers. Their presence (and noise) is a blessing! We also provide childcare during worship and for some church events. The Childcare Room is a special place designed for children four and younger staffed by experienced professionals. Preschool age children participate in the Godly Play storytelling portion of Sunday School, and then return to the childcare room for the remainder of the hour.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
We invite kids to participate in worship, and after the Message for All Ages each Sunday, the children can either go with their peers to Sunday School or remain with their families in the sanctuary. We also offer children’s bulletins and some small activities to help them engage.
We offer Sunday School during Sunday worship for children from kindergarten through 5th grade. Sunday School students begin worship with their parents and go to Sunday School in another part of the church building after the “Children’s Message” about a third of the way into the service. Our Sunday School class is a one-room schoolhouse. It is operational during the program year (September through June). Children return to the Assembly Room (where coffee hour fellowship takes place) after worship.
We use a Godly Play approach, which is based upon the recognition that children have an innate sense of the presence of God. This approach uses story, wonder, and play to develop kids’ vocabulary to express their spirituality.
Union Congregational Church’s Middle School and High School program is for students sixth grade through seniors in high school. In addition to opportunities to participate and lead in worship and volunteer programs, youth are encouraged to participate in Youth Group. The Ecumenical Youth Ministry Project is a youth group comprised of youth from five area churches. The youth group gathers twice a month: First Sundays to serve at Toni’s Kitchen, and Third Sundays for a Youth Group gathering centered around building community, connection, and spiritual growth.
In addition to these gatherings, the youth group typically goes on retreat once a year, and takes part in a service trip over the summer. Past trips have been to explore food security and love of neighbor in Washington, DC; learning about the Black freedom struggles and faith in Memphis and Alabama; learning and serving in Philadelphia exploring poverty and justice, and this summer, the youth will go to Appalachia to work on community restoration.
For more information about youth programs, reach out to our Youth Group Coordinator, Jeffery Blanford.
The Children and Youth Choirs allow children to express themselves, be seen, and discover the joy of music and teamwork. Fun-filled, meaningful performances take place in song during Sunday worship, including the Children’s Pageant on Mother’s Day, and the Christmas Pageant. The choir rehearses most Sundays for 30 minutes immediately following the worship service. For more info, contact Kristine Hart.
Baptism is offered for all ages, preceded by conversations with parents for those under 13. It is the celebration of the gift of life and inclusion in the Christian community. Therefore, those desiring it for themselves or their children are expected to be members of our congregation or another for which we serve in the event of family connections.
Our ministers baptize by sprinkling water from the baptismal font. When we baptize infants and small children, we emphasize that God’s love comes before any conscious response on our part. The congregation offers its understanding and support to the child and promises to join the parents in showing God’s love for all. When adults are baptized, we emphasize that faith also requires a response of commitment on the part of those who choose to be followers of Christ.
The sacrament of Baptism is celebrated at the 10am worship service and may be arranged by calling the church office at 973-744-7424. If you are interested in a baptism for your child, email Rev. Katrina Forman.
Union Congregational youth take part in confirmation in collaboration with Glen Ridge UCC, typically in 8th or 9th grade. The year-long confirmation program is offered every two years, most recently the ’23-’24 program year. Over the course of the year we go on field trips to houses of worship of multiple traditions, explore big questions of faith, go on retreat, and work with the confirmands to design and lead their own Confirmation worship service.
To inquire about our confirmation program, please email Rev. Katrina Forman or call the church office at 973-744-7424.
Union Cong Nursery School is a part-time preschool for ages 2.5 through age 5. Inspired by the preschools in Reggio-Emilia, Italy, the school believes that each child is a unique and complex human being with a keen desire to gain knowledge. They value the children’s words, vision, and creative expression while nurturing and supporting each child’s natural enthusiasm for learning. Click here for more information.
A place for middle schoolers, side door is in session! The mission of the Side Door program is to offer a safe space where Montclair middle-school students can play on Friday afternoons, make friends, and be mentored by college students along side Montclair community leaders. 2:15pm-5pm Fridays (during the Montclair school year). For more information about Side Door, please email BJ Carter.
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