Christian Education

The goal of the Christian Education Program at North Stamford Congregational Church is to give each young member of the church the positive experience of being part of a faith-filled community while learning the history and the teachings of the church. This is done in a variety of ways. Our children are educated in small classes that allow them to learn about their relationship with God in a personalized environment. We run four separate classes, allowing for children to be with children in their same age-group: we have a class for K-2 grades; another for 3rd-4th graders; another for 5th-6th graders and a final class for 7th and 8th grade students. Our teachers instruct the children with a series published by CRC Publications entitled "LIFE: Living in Faith Everyday". We have chosen this curriculum because of its unique philosophy:

LIFE assumes that children at very young ages have or can begin to have faith that needs to be nurtured as they grow and mature. Leaders both plant the "seeds" of faith and nurture the growing "plants" as small children develop into young adults. In order for their faith to grow, children must not only hear the Word of God, but must also experience God's presence and grace. LIFE accomplishes this goal by encouraging children to internalize God's story, to wonder what God is like, to imagine themselves into a Bible setting, and to respond to God's message in creative, personal ways. LIFE reduces the possibility for knowledge-based competition among children by creating a loving community where children can grow spiritually at their own pace. Leaders are concerned about the condition of children's living relationship with God and with Jesus Christ, as well as their knowledge of the church's teachings.

Our teachers have volunteered their time to help to build a strong foundation of faith for the children in our program. They are wonderful role models of people who not only speak of their faith, but also live it through their actions. The students in our program love to come to Christian Education on Sundays because of all of the aforementioned strengths of the program. The children attend the first part of the worship service and then leave together after the Hymn of Faith to attend classes. They end classes at the same time that the service ends, and join the rest of the community for Fellowship Hour.

We seek to nurture all age groups in the truth, beauty and power of the Gospels of Jesus Christ. For adults we have weekly Bible Study.

Throughout the year Special Programs are scheduled to inform about our faith.