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MilestonesFaith Formation Milestones for Children at UCC Baby Dedications
This is an opportunity in which parents bring their young child before the congregation for a special blessing and dedication. It is a time that the UCC congregation promises to love, teach, and embrace the child. It is also a time that parents make a commitment to Christian parenthood and raising their child in this faith community. Baby Dedications take place once a month and are scheduled through the Children’s Ministries Office. This is not a baptism or christening. Please see Faith Development Class below for information about baptism for children.
James Kenneth Stoner, son of David & Stephanie Stoner. Grandchild of Philip & Kathleen Gabriel and Sharon Stoner. Great-grandchild of Marian Stoner, Peg Humphreys, Edmund & Elizabeth Gabriel, and Elma Seiferlein.
To schedule a baby dedication or for more information please email Susan Henry, Ministry Assistant.
First Grade Inclusion
First Grade children have a special time to learn about worship and how worship takes place in the church context as well as in our daily lives. At UCC, first grade children are formally welcomed into the worship services and given a time of special acknowledgment and blessing concerning their importance and personal value to the church. This takes place each September. Each child is presented a chalice pin which is a symbol of communion and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ.) Because younger children have mostly been in childcare and preschool Sunday School until the first grade, the congregation makes a special effort to help children feel welcomed and part of the congregation. Third Grade Bible Presentation
Because University Christian Church values children learning the faith stories, the church gives each third grade child a Bible at a special worship service. In January and early February, these children are provided lessons on “How to Use the Bible” or “Bible Basics” prior to receiving their Bibles during worship one Sunday. Even though the pew Bibles and other Sunday School study Bibles are the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), our children’s Bible is the Contemporary English Version. This Bible is given because the use of everyday English language is more easily understood. As the children mature and reach the sixth grade Faith Development Class, the NRSV is used. Faith Development Class
During the sixth grade year youth are invited to participate in a yearlong study of the church, what it means to belong to the church, and the meaning of becoming a Christian person through confession of faith and baptism. The Christian pilgrimage does not end with these acts; rather these acts are part of the launching of a commitment to learn and grow in the faith over a lifetime. Disciples of Christ theology or practice invites any person to make a confession or profession of faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and as Lord and Savior at any worship service. This study year, however, does help to inform and guide youth toward that process. The confessions of faith usually take place on Palm Sunday and members of the Faith Development Class are baptized on Pentecost in late May. If a person joins UCC who has previously made a confession of faith and has been baptized, that baptism is recognized. Individuals are encouraged to participate in the yearlong study with their classmates. The Faith Development Class is under the direction of our Youth MInistries staff. |
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