Our Kids’ Church program is enthusiastically led by Lydia Hoffman, our Minister of Children and Families here at Falmouth UCC. Children will begin the morning with their families in worship, and will then move into our downstairs classrooms following the Children’s Moment at approximately 10:15am, where we will then explore the stories of the Bible and God’s love through art, music, movement, games, and more!

All children are invited to Kids’ Church. We celebrate all identities, abilities, beliefs, and understandings.

Our program runs from 10:15 AM - 12:00 PM, with an optional early pick-up at 11:00 AM.

Highlights from our program year include:

-Our annual Christmas Eve Pageant!
-Christmas caroling around town
-Baking and cooking together in the kitchen
-Making holiday crafts at the Holly Days Fair
-Kids’ Celebration Sunday in June
-Practicing our leadership skills in worship
-Making new friends and growing up in a safe, welcoming, and affirming environment.

10:00-10:15: Children begin the day with their families in the sanctuary, and participate in worship through the Children’s Moment.

10:15-10:30: Children move into upstairs classrooms for Kids’ Church and welcome each other with a check-in circle and some motor movement / dramatic play based games.

10:30-10:55: Lesson or activity of the day is introduced and children freely engage and interact with each other while exploring the theme of the day.

10:55-11:05: Snack (snack is a natural breaking point for kids who need to leave after church is over)

11:05-11:45: Children spend meaningful time engaged in play based exploration. Intentional community is formed while we ask questions, propose ideas, and dive deeper into the lesson of the day together.

11:45-11:55: Structured Free Time (This may include a continuation of the lesson of the day, a group game, or a series of parallel play inspired activities.

11:55-12:00: Pick up - See you next time!

On the first Sunday of each month, Lydia and Pastor Amelia coordinate to create intergenerational services. Children are fully integrated into these services, and invited to participate fully. Children are always welcome on the chancel! Communion is served, and our children are invited to take part in the blessing, serving, and eating of the elements.

Bags with supplies, games, and toys for curious hands and wiggly bodies are always available just outside of the sanctuary to help our young ones practice sitting in the pews. Our children are always welcome to make noise, move their bodies as necessary, and participate in worship as much as they’d like!

During this service the children perform songs, read scripture, read liturgy (often that they have written) and participate in an interactive sermon; as well as serving as greeters at the door, passing the offering plate etc.

Is your child interested in leading in worship, reading scripture, serving as an usher, or singing in the choir? Reach out to Lydia!

Coming to church with a little? Check out our Cozy Corner, a a spot with books, stuffies, and a take home blanket knitted by our Prayer Shawl team. This space is located right outside of the sanctuary, in Fellowship Hall, and is easy to find and accessible. Bathrooms with changing tables and wipes are close by. Kids’ Church classrooms are just up the stairs.

You are always welcome to use this space before, during, or after worship. Grownups can see and hear the worship service from this spot, and little ones can enjoy rocking on the rocking chair and reading/chewing the board books!

Grownups, please feel free to come and go, freely using this space with your littles throughout worship as needed. You are welcome to come and go from the Cozy Corner, into the sanctuary, or into the nursery care room. All spaces are yours to use however you need.

Littles 4 and under are invited to relax and play in the nursery! Our nursery program is warmly led by Tonne. Our nursery program is located right next to Kids’ Church. The nursery program starts at 10:00, and lasts the duration of the worship service.

Please bring diapers and wipes that work for your child and an extra change of clothes just in case. At this time we are not serving snacks- parents can feed/ bottle their littles at any time. You can also see your child while they play by downloading the monitor app- come before church to receive instructions.

*NEW*
Toddler Song Circle
New this winter, we are offering a toddler music class on the third Sunday of each month. This class is taught by Kristen Coleman Tripp, and is inclusive, engaging, and play centered! This programming is entirely free, and open to the entire community.

We partner with Foreside Community Church to form a lively, welcoming, and engaging youth group opportunity for middle school aged friends. We travel together to Pilgrim Lodge, our Maine UCC Summer Camp, youth often serve in leadership roles in worship, and engage together in active team building and faith forming events. All are welcome! Bring a friend, wear what makes you feel most comfortable, show up exactly as you are!

We meet on a monthly basis, with engaging team building and community creating activities themed around the seasons and the church liturgical calendar. We aim to give our middle school aged friends a space to ask stretch questions, learn more about themselves and others, and move into leadership roles within their church community and beyond.

Our Youth group is open to all in grades 5th-8th. All are welcome regardless of religious background, belief, identity, or understanding.