Christian Formation for Children
Was Jesus born "in a stable"? Unlikely.
The popular nativity image is based on a misunderstanding of where animals lived in ancient Palestinian homes. Click the image to make it larger or read the whole article here.
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Where did "Nativity Scenes" (or "Crèches") Come From?
The earliest representation of the nativity can be seen in a fresco found in the catacombs of St. Priscilla, second century B.C.E., portraying the Mother and Child, the three wise men, and St. Joseph or perhaps the prophet Isaiah, and above, a star with eight points. The nativity of Jesus has been a major subject of Christian art since the fourth century with depictions based on the narratives in the Bible from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, and further elaborated by written, oral, and artistic expressions. Tradition attributes the introduction of the nativity scene to the vast array of Christmas customs to St. Francis, who in 1223 in the village of Greccio near Assisi on Christmas Day, (as told by St. Bonaventure) took a manger and filled it with hay, tied an ass and an ox near it, and with a crowd of people from all over the neighboring countryside celebrated the Mass (Holy Eucharist or Holy Communion) in front of the manger. Over time, statues, rather than living people and animals, were used, which eventually led to the in-home nativity scenes that are so much a part of our Christmas today. - Adapted from an activity in the Christmas chapter of Faithful Celebrations: Making Time for God from Advent through Epiphany edited by Sharon Ely Pearson (Church Publishing, 2018).
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Advent Crafts
Your Advent bag is a gift from your church.
Most of the supplies need only your imagination,
or a look at the pictures you see here. Please enjoy.
- Kathee Houser, Susan Rayner, Joan Spurgin, and Tricia Medlock
If you look at the pictures, you can see the idea.
Crafts have been distributed by age.
Some crafts have very small, sharp pieces.
(Kids, if you want to try on your own, you will want adult supervision.)
The String Tree is probably the most complex,
so it will only be in the bag for older kids (and has instructions).
There will be examples on the table when bags are picked up.
P.S. Photos of the drive-through pickup below this section.
Most of the supplies need only your imagination,
or a look at the pictures you see here. Please enjoy.
- Kathee Houser, Susan Rayner, Joan Spurgin, and Tricia Medlock
If you look at the pictures, you can see the idea.
Crafts have been distributed by age.
Some crafts have very small, sharp pieces.
(Kids, if you want to try on your own, you will want adult supervision.)
The String Tree is probably the most complex,
so it will only be in the bag for older kids (and has instructions).
There will be examples on the table when bags are picked up.
P.S. Photos of the drive-through pickup below this section.
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"Stained Glass" Candle (instructions):
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Pipe Cleaner Tree (instructions):
String Tree (instructions):
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Drive-Through Craft Bag Pickup
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More Advent Craft Photos!
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Rooted in the progressive Christian tradition of the United Church of Christ,
the Christian Formation Board and its ministries teach, challenge, and equip Plymouth's worshiping community to develop a lifelong transforming relationship with God that inspires action toward peace and justice for all of creation. Register your child for Christian Formation here.
Photos of our parking lot
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"Don't Lose Faith"
A message from one of our Plymouth kids! 
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What we offer when the building is open:
In Sunday School we seek to engage children and youth in their faith journey. We emphasize spiritual practices, becoming peacemakers, and the Biblical story. We use age-appropriate games, songs, drama, and discussion to encourage learning and faith development. This year we are using the Shine: Living in God's Light curriculum for preschool through 8th grade.
Sunday School
September through May, during the 10am "Education For All" Hour on Sunday Mornings, we have lots of ways for children and youth to plug in and develop their lifelong transforming relationship with God.
Nursery (0-2yrs) child care is available for our youngest. There will be stories and play time with our child care staff.
Sprouts (Preschool) will explore the stories of the Bible through play and sacred circle time.
Kids' Club (K-3rd Grade) is going to explore their faith through Bible stories, music, art, and yoga!
Club 45 (4th-5th Grade) is going to take charge of their class and participate in different projects and active learning with Bible stories, spiritual practices and social justice.
September through May, during the 10am "Education For All" Hour on Sunday Mornings, we have lots of ways for children and youth to plug in and develop their lifelong transforming relationship with God.
Nursery (0-2yrs) child care is available for our youngest. There will be stories and play time with our child care staff.
Sprouts (Preschool) will explore the stories of the Bible through play and sacred circle time.
Kids' Club (K-3rd Grade) is going to explore their faith through Bible stories, music, art, and yoga!
Club 45 (4th-5th Grade) is going to take charge of their class and participate in different projects and active learning with Bible stories, spiritual practices and social justice.
Worship Center
We have a worship center for children stocked with aids to help them worship better. There are coloring sheets, books to read, and focus objects. These items are not meant to be a distraction, but rather a tool to help young worshipers listen for God speaking. Parents, you might wait until the sermon to use these items and encourage your child to sing and pray along with the congregation. For more tips on how to help your child learn how to worship, ask Mandy Hall (Director of Christian Formation for Children & Youth).
We have a worship center for children stocked with aids to help them worship better. There are coloring sheets, books to read, and focus objects. These items are not meant to be a distraction, but rather a tool to help young worshipers listen for God speaking. Parents, you might wait until the sermon to use these items and encourage your child to sing and pray along with the congregation. For more tips on how to help your child learn how to worship, ask Mandy Hall (Director of Christian Formation for Children & Youth).
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Child Care
Plymouth loves children and we welcome all ages to participate in worship! However, we know that for some kiddos sitting in a pew is hard. During each worship service, child care is available for children from birth to age 4. Our staff is well trained and they care deeply for your child’s safety and well being. |
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Parents/Guardians:
Our Teachers and Mentors are so excited to welcome your kiddos in Sunday School! Here are a few things you can do to really help us out:
Our Teachers and Mentors are so excited to welcome your kiddos in Sunday School! Here are a few things you can do to really help us out:
- Make sure your child finishes their coffee hour snack in Fellowship Hall. It can be very distracting to have cookies crumbling in the classrooms.
- Please walk your child to their class and check them in with the Mentor at 10am.
- Pick your child(ren) up at 10:50am from their classroom. Children will not be released until their parent or guardian picks them up. This is also a great opportunity for you to check in with the teachers to see how class went.
- Be sure to fill out a registration form so we can keep in touch with you!
Looking for information about kids older than 5th grade? Click for Middle School and High School.