Christian Education at
Niles Congregational Church
2009-10

The Board of Christian Education is responsible for providing opportunities for members and friends to grow in their faith. Here are some of the ways we do this:

Adult Sunday School

            A self-led adult Sunday School class meets at 9:00 a.m. most Sundays in Ford Hall during the school year (and sometimes in the summer).  The topics discussed by this self-led group vary, but often the group is involved in discussions in response to a book they are reading.  Everyone is welcome, even if they have not been reading the book.  Occasionally this group skips a week because of other events happening in the life of the church.

Book Group

            There is an ongoing book group that meets on the fourth Monday evening of the month in a group member’s home.  A different book is discussed each month.  Read the Bell or Sunday bulletin announcements for more information.  The group takes the summer off.

Group Spiritual Direction

            Led by Pastor Jeff, Spiritual Direction Groups spend time in silent prayer and discussion, focused on their relationship with God.  Groups might be on-going or meet for a specific period of time.  If you are interested in joining or starting a group, speak to Pastor Jeff.

Nursery Care

            Nursery care is offered each Sunday during the worship service for the youngest children in our congregation.  Screened adult volunteers take turns caring for these kids, sometimes leading them in activities gleaned from the Seasons of the Spirit Sunday School curriculum.  This program is available from before worship begins until it ends.  It is located in the Kidango preschool wing of the building.

Children’s Sunday School

            Niles Congregational Church offers Sunday School program for our children year-round.  We use the Seasons of the Spirit Sunday School curriculum.
            During the school year, the classes are divided into three age groups:  preschool, elementary, and youth.  The preschool children meet in the Kidango preschool; the elementary class meets in the classroom between the office and the social hall (Ford Hall); the youth meet in the choir room.  Children begin each Sunday morning in the worship service and part-way through, leave for their Sunday School classes.  On communion Sundays, they are encouraged to return to the worship service so they can participate in this sacrament with the rest of the congregation.
            During the summer, our Nursery Care program continues and we also offer a less formal elementary class that meets in the Kidango preschool with the younger children.  Junior and senior high youth are encouraged to participate in the worship service.

Confirmation Class

            Every few years, Niles Congregational Church offers a Confirmation Class for youth (and adults if they are interested) to prepare them to make a choice about taking on the responsibilities of being a disciple of Jesus.  For people who were baptized as babies, this means reaffirming their baptism and taking on the responsibilities of the baptismal vows made for them by their parents through the rite of confirmation.  For people who have not been baptized, this means being baptized and taking on the responsibilities of the baptismal vows through the rite of confirmation.
            The next Confirmation Class will probably be offered during 2011-12 school year.  It will be for youth (and any adults who want to participate) who are eighth graders and older.  The class will be taught primarily by Pastor Jeff Spencer.  If you have a youth in your family who might be interested in participating (or if you are interested yourself), please let Pastor Jeff know.

Youth Fellowship

            The Junior/Senior High Youth Group meets twice a month.  Usually, these meeting are at the church, but sometimes they are elsewhere.  Meetings can include a time for checking in, sharing food, and focusing on an activity.  Activities are fun, may nurture the spirit, and may serve our neighbors in need.  There is also a 10 to 15 minute Pow-wow session during coffee hour to reflect on group activities past and future.  Look for planned activities and other updates in the Young Disciples Bell.  Additionally, information may be found on the “Youth” bulletin board in Ford Hall.

Summer Camping

            The Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ offers a summer camping program that Niles Congregational Church has been very active in for a long time.  Camps are offered for children and youth entering 2nd through 12th grade, as well as multigenerational work camps, a post-high camp, and an intergenerational family camp.  More information is available on the Conference website (www.ncncucc.org).
            Niles Congregational Church encourages the participation of our children and youth and helps pay for their attendance with funds raised through our Scrip Program (see below).

Scrip Program

            Scrip is store and restaurant gift certificates that can be spent the same as cash with that particular merchant.  They are sold during coffee hour almost every week.  Each time you use scrip, a percentage of the face value goes to the program.  The percentage varies depending on the merchant and can range between 2% and 20%.  The Scrip program details can be found on the Niles Church website:  www.nccucc.org/youth/scrip.html.  We also participate in schoolcash.com where on-line merchants donate percentages of total sales for those who being their on-line purchases through schoolcash.com.
            You can also raise a little money for the church by using “GoodSearch” for your online web searches.  Go to www.goodsearch.com, type in “Niles Congregational” in the lower field, click “verify,” and then do your search.  Or, more simply, go to our church website (http://www.nccucc.org/core/search.html) and use the search tool that’s there.