Youth Faith Formation at a Glance
Here at First Parish Church in Taunton, we offer developmentally appropriate faith formation groups for all our children and youth.
We understand that no two children are created the same! Our goal here at First Parish is to make sure our Faith Formation Program reflects this sentiment and is accessible and enjoyable for all. While groups do have age brackets, they are to suggest the developmental stage that groups activities, games, and group discussions are geared toward. Our Director of Lifespan Faith Formation, April Rosario, is happy to work with all families to figure out what class is the best fit for each child/youth.
We understand that no two children are created the same! Our goal here at First Parish is to make sure our Faith Formation Program reflects this sentiment and is accessible and enjoyable for all. While groups do have age brackets, they are to suggest the developmental stage that groups activities, games, and group discussions are geared toward. Our Director of Lifespan Faith Formation, April Rosario, is happy to work with all families to figure out what class is the best fit for each child/youth.
Our younger kids (0-10) meet in rooms in the newest part of our building, just down the hall past the bathrooms and staff offices. Our Middle School youth meet upstairs in the loft, and our High School Youth meet downstairs in Elizabeth Hall.
Our hired Nursery (0 -3) and Playroom (3 -5) childcare attendants are in their rooms at 9:45 every Sunday morning, and parents are welcome to drop their children off before service. Parents may then pick children up once our Chalice Children Group is over (11:15 am).
Sunday Moring Chalice Children (5-9), Jr. Youth (10-13/14), and Sr. Youth Groups (14+) typically join in the first 15 minutes of the church service and then head off to their rooms after the Time for All Ages story. Children and youth will then rejoin everyone in the sanctuary at 11:15 for coffee hour.
Of course, they are also always welcome to stay in the sanctuary with their families or at our kids’ corner in the Commons.
Our hired Nursery (0 -3) and Playroom (3 -5) childcare attendants are in their rooms at 9:45 every Sunday morning, and parents are welcome to drop their children off before service. Parents may then pick children up once our Chalice Children Group is over (11:15 am).
Sunday Moring Chalice Children (5-9), Jr. Youth (10-13/14), and Sr. Youth Groups (14+) typically join in the first 15 minutes of the church service and then head off to their rooms after the Time for All Ages story. Children and youth will then rejoin everyone in the sanctuary at 11:15 for coffee hour.
Of course, they are also always welcome to stay in the sanctuary with their families or at our kids’ corner in the Commons.
A Bit More About Our Faith Formation Groups
The Nursery - Designed for our youngest children 0-2 years old.
Purpose - The purpose of the Nursery is to provide excellent childcare for the families of First Parish.
Goal - The goal is for infants and babies to get their first experiences with being in community through our nursery. For our nursery to be a place they experience love and kindness outside their families.
The Playroom - Designed for toddlers, preschoolers, and children not quite ready for the structure of Chalice Children.
Purpose - The purpose of the Playroom is to provide excellent childcare as well as begin to build a foundation and introduction to our faith.
Goal - The goal is for toddlers, preschoolers, and children not quite ready for Chalice Children to become familiar with some of the language and rituals connected to our faith while seeing church as a fun place to be.
Chalice Children is our elementary faith exploration program offered on Sunday mornings during church services suggested for kids ages 5-9
Purpose -The purpose is to teach the Principles and Values of Unitarian Universalism while helping children learn how they can live their faith every day and in all that they do.
Goal - The goal is for kids to begin to understand and put into practice how Unitarian Universalism can show up in their everyday lives. It is also a time to begin exploring faith and to talk about life’s big questions. The use of fun activities like science projects, crafts, games, and discussions are used to help kids explore our monthly themes and shared faith.
Jr. Youth Group is our middle school faith exploration program offered on Sunday mornings during church services suggested for youth ages 10-13/14.
Purpose - The purpose of Jr. Youth is to help youth begin to articulate their beliefs and ideas about faith while living them out in their everyday lives.
Goal - The Goal of our Jr. Youth group is to help youth continue to build on their understanding of how they live their faith and explore the big questions of life. We continue to use experiential & hands-on activities like projects, crafts, games, and discussion questions to help youth explore and gain a firm grasp of their faith as well as what they believe in and stand for.
Sr. Youth Group Our high school faith exploration program offered on Sunday mornings during church services suggested for youth 14/15+
Purpose - The Purpose of Sr. Youth is to guide youth on the path to their UU Identity and to help them to find how they personally connect with their faith.
Goal - The Goal of the Sr. Youth class is to help youth gain a firm grasp of their faith and what they believe in and stand for. By participating in our Taking Flight, Riddle & Mystery, and Coming of Age programs they will be given the tools to do just that.
During the 2023-2024 Church year, Sr. Youth will be participating in the Soul Matters Becoming Coming of Age program written by our Dir. of Faith Formation, April Rosario.
Coming of Age is a program designed to allow teens to explore, develop, and articulate their personal values and faith identity. Participants investigate their personal spirituality and are encouraged to develop and articulate a deep sense of who they are, who they want to become, and what they believe. The Coming of Age Program also aims to:
- Promoting self-understanding, spiritual depth, and maturation.
- Promote understanding of Unitarian Universalism and our Principles, Values, and Inspirations.
- Gain a sense of self and a stronger sense of purpose
- Help youth learn to think critically and to ask serious questions about life and religion
Purpose - The purpose of the Nursery is to provide excellent childcare for the families of First Parish.
Goal - The goal is for infants and babies to get their first experiences with being in community through our nursery. For our nursery to be a place they experience love and kindness outside their families.
The Playroom - Designed for toddlers, preschoolers, and children not quite ready for the structure of Chalice Children.
Purpose - The purpose of the Playroom is to provide excellent childcare as well as begin to build a foundation and introduction to our faith.
Goal - The goal is for toddlers, preschoolers, and children not quite ready for Chalice Children to become familiar with some of the language and rituals connected to our faith while seeing church as a fun place to be.
Chalice Children is our elementary faith exploration program offered on Sunday mornings during church services suggested for kids ages 5-9
Purpose -The purpose is to teach the Principles and Values of Unitarian Universalism while helping children learn how they can live their faith every day and in all that they do.
Goal - The goal is for kids to begin to understand and put into practice how Unitarian Universalism can show up in their everyday lives. It is also a time to begin exploring faith and to talk about life’s big questions. The use of fun activities like science projects, crafts, games, and discussions are used to help kids explore our monthly themes and shared faith.
Jr. Youth Group is our middle school faith exploration program offered on Sunday mornings during church services suggested for youth ages 10-13/14.
Purpose - The purpose of Jr. Youth is to help youth begin to articulate their beliefs and ideas about faith while living them out in their everyday lives.
Goal - The Goal of our Jr. Youth group is to help youth continue to build on their understanding of how they live their faith and explore the big questions of life. We continue to use experiential & hands-on activities like projects, crafts, games, and discussion questions to help youth explore and gain a firm grasp of their faith as well as what they believe in and stand for.
Sr. Youth Group Our high school faith exploration program offered on Sunday mornings during church services suggested for youth 14/15+
Purpose - The Purpose of Sr. Youth is to guide youth on the path to their UU Identity and to help them to find how they personally connect with their faith.
Goal - The Goal of the Sr. Youth class is to help youth gain a firm grasp of their faith and what they believe in and stand for. By participating in our Taking Flight, Riddle & Mystery, and Coming of Age programs they will be given the tools to do just that.
During the 2023-2024 Church year, Sr. Youth will be participating in the Soul Matters Becoming Coming of Age program written by our Dir. of Faith Formation, April Rosario.
Coming of Age is a program designed to allow teens to explore, develop, and articulate their personal values and faith identity. Participants investigate their personal spirituality and are encouraged to develop and articulate a deep sense of who they are, who they want to become, and what they believe. The Coming of Age Program also aims to:
- Promoting self-understanding, spiritual depth, and maturation.
- Promote understanding of Unitarian Universalism and our Principles, Values, and Inspirations.
- Gain a sense of self and a stronger sense of purpose
- Help youth learn to think critically and to ask serious questions about life and religion
