Home > Children & Youth

Church School

Jump to: Church School Overview | Children Under 3 | Preschoolers | K–4th Grade | 5th & 6th Grade | 7th & 8th Grade: Story Tent | 9th Grade: Confirmation | Special Events

Church School Connections Calendar

Date	Time	Place	Event
Thursday, September 2	7:00 PM		Teacher Orientation
Sunday, September 12	9:00 AM		Welcoming Sunday
Sunday, September 19	9:15 AM		Teacher Circle
Sunday, September 19	5:00 PM		Confirmation BBQ
Sunday, October 3			World Communion Sunday
Sunday, October 10	9:15 AM		Teacher Circle
Sunday, October 17	8:00 AM to 1:00 PM		Confirmation Retreat
Sunday, October 31			Halloween — No Confirmation Classes
Sunday, November 7			Teacher Circle Feast Mission
Saturday, November 27	4:00 PM		Deck the Halls
Sunday, November 28			First Sunday of Advent Advent Calendar Workshop
Please e-mail Abby Peterson at abby@saugatuckchurch.org or bepeterson@optonline.net with any questions.

 

We are blessed to have a wonderful, vital Church School with dedicated and enthusiastic teachers! Sunday mornings we offer a nurturing, supportive environment for our young people to learn about the Christian faith, and to grow in the knowledge of what it means to be part of a loving faith community.

Creative, committed, and caring teachers are encouraged and supported by our Director of Christian Education, Abby Peterson, to provide each student with a positive experience.

All children age 3 and over begin the 10:00 AM worship service time with their parents in the sanctuary. The children then go to their classrooms for approximately 45 minutes. After the service, parents pick up their children from the classrooms, and the congregation gathers in Hoskins Hall downstairs for Fellowship Hour. (We ask that if you are visiting for the first time, you accompany your child to the classroom, and then return to the service.)

Throughout the year, our children are encouraged to be part of Saugatuck's community outreach efforts. Last year, through a special "Ark" savings bank program, our Church School classes raised $755 to give to Heifer International. They also assisted in creating special Easter baskets for children in need.

Children Under 3

We have a special "Crib Room" that is well-equipped with experienced childcare providers to handle newborn infants to children up to age 3. You are also welcome to keep your infant or child with you in the sanctuary during the service. (Childcare is available year-round at the 10:00 AM service, not just during the Church School year.)

Preschoolers, Ages 3–5

The classes for 3- to 5-year-olds are held in the part of our church used by the Saugatuck Nursery School so they can explore in a completely age-appropriate environment.

Kindergarten–4th Grade

With a special rotation format curriculum — which uses art, computer, cooking, games, music and movement, science, storytelling and video — children in these classes will experience the Bible story in many different ways. When children see and hear and do, the Bible story and its meaning for them will stay with them for life!

5th and 6th Grade

Preteens and middle school kids are in a unique stage of life, and our Church School offers a curriculum designed to connect with them. The curriculum offers attention-grabbing Bible lessons, thought-provoking videos, and fun games. It helps them answer real-life preteen questions about faith, relationships, and the choices they face, and also helps them tackle the issues they care about most.

7th and 8th Grade: Story Tent

Our 7th and 8th Graders spend the year studying a chosen biblical verse, and producing the text as a show for the entire congregation. These "Story Tent" productions are truly a delight!

9th Grade: Confirmation Year

Ninth graders are offered a full year of confirmation classes to prepare them for their decision to join the church as young adults. These classes are held on a regular basis. Our pastors teach these classes, and it is a unique opportunity for our young people to develop meaningful relationships with their ministers and their congregation. It provides a time for exploring their own understandings of the faith, as well as their relationship to God.

Please download the Confirmation Letter for information (PDF, Requires Adobe® Reader®).

 

Special Events

Throughout the year, our Church School offers many special events for our children and their families, click here to find out more.

Come see for yourself the “joyful noise” that our vital and growing Church School is making!