Nursery and Toddler Program
Infant and toddler care is available in the Nursery. Adult babysitters with CPR and First Aid training are employed to care for the children during both worship services on Sunday morning. Parents may bring their child to the Nursery before the worship services begin or at any time during the service. Parents will be issued a pager when the child arrives. If a child gets distressed and cannot be comforted, the pager system allows parents to be quietly contacted during the worship service.
Communion
Children are invited to participate in the monthly Communion service beginning in 1st grade. The conclusion of the Gathering coincides with the beginning of the communion service. At this time, the students and their Shepherds enter the Sanctuary to sit with and share the Lord's Supper with their families.
At Acton Congregational Church, the table is open to all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, no matter what their church background or denominational affiliation.
Communion Instruction is offered between services on the last Sunday in September. The session is open to all Sunday School children and their parents. Families of 1st graders are strongly encouraged to attend and discuss the meaning of Communion with their children. Additional resources and children's books about Communion are available in the Ellen Swenson Resource Room or in the Hosmer Children's Library.
Bibles for Second Graders
At Acton Congregational Church it is a long held tradition to present our second graders with Bibles of their own. The presentation of Bibles takes place during both worship services on the Sunday following the beginning of the new Sunday School and church year.
The children are given the New International Version (NIV) of
The New Adventure Bible. Each Bible is inscribed with the child's name and includes a dictionary, concordance, color charts and maps, time lines, helpful study notes and information about life in Bible times.
Bible Scholar Program
The Bible Scholar program is a tool to adequately prepare students for Confirmation, a time for them to explore what they have already learned and to confirm their belief in the Christian faith. Grade level “tasks” and principles are introduced during Sunday school, but the program is primarily an opportunity for parents to partner with us in the Christian nurture of their child. Although the program is voluntary, all children in grades 1 through Jr. High are encouraged to embark on the journey towards becoming a Bible Scholar. Each one of the tasks falls into a specific category of Christian knowledge and experience that we want the children to learn by the time they reach Confirmation.
Bible Scholar Tasks Overview: Click here
Tasks and Answers (Click on the Grade):
Children and Music
Music and singing is a big part of the Gathering each Sunday. Tremendous care is taken to teach songs and hymns that are foundational to our Christian faith and that correspond to the monthly Rotation theme.
The Children's Choir is for children in kindergarten through 4th grade; it provides special music in worship several times a year. Practices are held at 10:00 AM on most Sundays during the school year. The choir is directed by Mary Spinosa Wilson. Susan Miller's new grade 5-8 singing group, Singers and Saints, begins rehearsals on Sunday, October 2 at 10:00 AM.
Offering
The Sunday school offering is collected at the beginning of class. Age appropriate offering envelopes are available for children in preschool – 6th grade. The Sunday school offering is used primarily to sponsor two Compassion International children. Other Sunday school missions include Ingathering Sunday, UNICEF, Operation Christmas Child and One Great Hour of Sharing. Whenever appropriate and possible, classes are given the support and encouragement they need to implement group service projects.
Special Events
Family Field Trip to Overlook Farm
Church members of all ages are invited to participate in a group tour at Overlook Farm in Rutland on Sunday, October 23. Our reservation will accommodate up to 32 people and requires a fee of $6.25 per person. The 2½-hour guided tour begins at 1:30 and includes a video about Heifer, a visit to the gardens, barnyard and Global Village. To register, send your completed Overlook Farm registration form and check, payable to Acton Congregational Church, to the attention of Merrill Noble. The deadline to register is September 30.
Overlook Farm registration form: Click here
Christmas Pageant
A simple Sunday school Christmas Pageant will take place during the 10:45 worship on December 18, 2011 . The Pageant serves as the primary focus of the worship service. Children in all grades, including Junior High are encouraged to participate. Available speaking and singing parts are announced in mid-late October; roles are assigned several weeks later.
Three practices are scheduled:
- Saturday, December 3 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
- Saturday, December 10 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
- Monday, December 12 4:00 - 5:30 PM ; Pizza Party
Children's 5:00 PM Christmas Eve Service
This short children’s service features readings from the Gospel of Luke. Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus (portrayed by a church family) are there. Each child has the opportunity to participate in the service by choosing to be either a shepard or an angel.
Season of Lent and Easter
Sunday school classes are held for all grades on Palm Sunday. A Good Friday Vacation Bible School is held from 9-12 for children in kindergarten – 5th grade. The children bake Communion bread, make fun Easter crafts, sing songs and go on a Journey through Holy Week. Families worship together on Easter morning.
Families worship together on Easter morning. A special Easter program is offered for young children if volunteers are found to lead it.
Summer 2012 Vacation Bible School
The mission of Vacation Bible School is to give the children of ACC an opportunity during the summer to learn more about God's love and how to follow Christ. VBS provides a fun, camp-style learning atmosphere that includes music, stories, games and crafts. In 2012, we will once again host VBS with St. Matthews and the Church of the Good Shepherd, allowing us to broaden our volunteer pool and provide a strong outreach program to children in the surrounding community.
In 2012, VBS will be held during the week of July 23 to 27 at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church in Acton.
Safety
The safety of our children is of paramount importance to us. Please Click here to review ACC's Sunday School Safe Church policies.
