Children & Youth Ministries

Families of all sizes, shapes and hues are welcome and cherished at Old South.  The church provides an engaging and comprehensive Christian Education program for infants through Senior High School.  Rooted in the Scriptures and the Christian tradition, the program offers a range of options for learning, service, and friendship.  We use The Whole People of God, an ecumenical, international and inclusive curriculum, focused on the stories of the Bible and upon the development of Christian faith.

Old South’s children and youth assume leadership for a number of special events throughout the year, including annual Youth Sunday, the All-Church Picnic, Reconvenanting Sunday Breakfast, Palm Sunday Breakfast, and Children’s Christmas Pageant. They also engage in service projects throughout the year, including fundraisers, toy and clothing drives, and other acts of service.

Old South provides a nurturing, safe and challenging environment for learning. Our caring and trained teachers, excellent curriculum, and a broad range of enrichment activities offer a variety of ways for children and youth to learn about the Christian faith and participate in the life of the community.

Visiting for the first time?  Please inform a Greeter or Usher that you are new and that you’d like to be introduced to our Christian Education Director, Tricia Hazeltine.  Contact Tricia with questions at (617) 536-1970 or churchschool@oldsouth.org.

Sundays – Childcare and Church School

Infants and Toddlers

Loving and tender care for infants and toddlers is provided by trained volunteers and professionals in the Blue Room on Sundays from 8:30 - 12:15.  Old South’s ADA compliant restrooms are outfitted with changing tables in both the men’s and women’s restrooms.

Ages 2 - 4

The Green Room opens on Sundays from 8:30 to 12:15 for children ages 2 - 4.

• Families attending First Worship: Church School class is offered from 9:00 - 9:45 in the Green Room. Children are also welcome to worship with you.

• Between services: from 9:45 - 11:00, the Green Room is open for play time and other enrichment activities.

• Families attending Festival Worship: Church School class is offered from 11:00 - 12:15 in the Green Room.

Ages 4 - pre-K

The Green Room opens on Sundays at 8:30 for children ages 4 - pre-K.

• Families attending First Worship: Church School class is offered from 9:00 - 9:45 in the Green Room. Children are also welcome to worship with you.

• Between services: from 9:45 - 11:00, the Green Room is open for age-appropriate crafts, games, and other enrichment activities. "Joyful Noise" music group meets from 9:50 - 10:15 in the Red Room.

• Families attending Festival Worship: children usually begin in worship with their parents at 11:00, and leave for Church School during the service. Classes end at 12:15.

Grades K – 8

• Families attending First Worship: children are welcome to worship with you or participate in a multi-age class in the Red Room.

• Between services: from 9:45 - 11:00, age-appropriate enrichment activities, including crafts, games, music, and other activities, are offered. Crafts and games are offered in the Gordon Chapel on the first floor. The Green Room is also open for informal play and activities for children K-1. Please check the music section (see below) for more details about music offerings.

• Families attending Festival Worship: children usually begin in worship with their parents at 11:00, and leave for Church School during the service. Classes end at 12:15.

Grades 9 – 12

• Youth Group: The Youth Group meets on Sundays from 10:00 to 11:00. They explore issues of life and faith, participate in service projects, and go on retreats. The group also plans and leads Old South’s annual Youth Sunday Service.

• A confirmation class will be offered in 2011 - 2012. It is a two year program opened to young people in grades 7-9.

Baptism

Through the sacrament of Christian baptism, our young ones are affirmed as children of God and welcomed into the circle of Christ’s church.  Baptism is offered throughout the year.  To discuss baptism with one of our ministers, please call the church at (617) 536-1970.

Confirmation Class

Old South runs a two-year Confirmation program for students in grades 8 through 10.  This program guides young people in exploring their faith and prepares them to consider affirming their faith through the rite of confirmation.  The class meets Sundays at 11:00 AM.

Children’s Music Program

Music is an integral part of the Church School program. All children’s music groups perform in worship several times during the year.

Joyful Noise is open to children preschool and older and is geared to families attending First Worship although all are welcome. Participants sing and play instruments while exploring Christian songs from a variety of traditions. (9:50 am - 10:15 am)

Gospel Group is open to children fourth grade and older. Participants explore gospel and other traditional music. Vocalists and instrumentalists including percussionists at all levels are welcome. (10:30 am - 10:55 am)

The Cherub Choir, for children kindergarten through third grade. Participants sing and play instruments while exploring Christian songs from a variety of traditions. (11:55 am - 12:15 pm)

The Chime Choir is open to children third grade and older. (Rehearsal at 12:20 pm)

The Beginner Bell Choir is open to children seventh grade and older who have at least two years of experience playing chimes. (Rehearsal at 12:20 pm)

The Youth Choir, for those in grades nine through twelve. (Rehearsal 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm)

Summer Programming

During the summer, childcare is offered from 8:30 - 12:15 for children through age 6.  The rest of the Church School meets during Festival Worship as a single multi-age class, providing an opportunity for children to learn together in an informal setting. Children begin the hour worshipping with their parents and then leave for their classes.