Children, Youth & Families
Children’s & Family Ministries observes advanced safety protocols against the spread of COVID-19 amongst our unvaccinated children. This year we offer opportunities for students to connect and learn online, in-person outside, and in hybrid settings for students old enough to be vaccinated. In addition, we are creating an opportunity to worship as a family at monthly Worship in the Garden. To learn more about this and emerging opportunities to connect, please contact Director of Children & Family Ministries Kate Nintcheu (children(at)oldsouth.org) or sign up for our Make Belief newsletter.
Our COVID-19 advanced protocols, enacted in August 2021 in response to the Delta variant, has prevented us from holding in-person in-the-building classes for most children. The only exception is that we are able to offer drop-in childcare for infants and toddlers from 9:45 a.m. through the worship service. We can only accept up to 5 children each week. Our staff members include early childhood professionals who are ready to keep your children safe and happy.
Because of the precarious nature of our world right now - children who are experiencing any level of nasal discharge, from teething or anything - are discouraged from dropping into childcare. Our staff is 100% vaccinated and will remain masked throughout. Toddlers do not have to be masked, but are encouraged to be if your family has begun that practice with them.
Because of the precarious nature of our world right now - children who are experiencing any level of nasal discharge, from teething or anything - are discouraged from dropping into childcare. Our staff is 100% vaccinated and will remain masked throughout. Toddlers do not have to be masked, but are encouraged to be if your family has begun that practice with them.
(Children age 3 - 2nd grade)
At age 3, we welcome children into church school where we practice Godly Play. Godly Play is a montessori-based Christian education curriculum where children explore the stories of the Bible and practices of the church through hands-on learning and play. Stories are told with hand-crafted materials, then children are led through a series of wondering questions followed by a period of self-directed work. Fall 2021 will host a zoom-based online class for students at 9:00 a.m. and an all-ages in-person outdoor class for students at 10:00 a.m. Links and departing details are available via our weekly newsletter.
At age 3, we welcome children into church school where we practice Godly Play. Godly Play is a montessori-based Christian education curriculum where children explore the stories of the Bible and practices of the church through hands-on learning and play. Stories are told with hand-crafted materials, then children are led through a series of wondering questions followed by a period of self-directed work. Fall 2021 will host a zoom-based online class for students at 9:00 a.m. and an all-ages in-person outdoor class for students at 10:00 a.m. Links and departing details are available via our weekly newsletter.
(Rising 3rd-4th grades)
Godly Play is a Montessori-based christian education curriculum where children explore the stories of the Bible and practices of the church through hands-on learning and play. Stories are told with hand-crafted materials, then children are led through a series of wondering questions followed by a period of self-directed work. At 9:00 a.m. we offer an online zoom-based lesson where these oldest students encounter more extension stories than the younger classroom, and are introduced to beginning Bible study each week. At 10:00 a.m. these students are invited to participate in a combined, all ages Godly Play class that meets in-person, outside. Links and departing details are available via our weekly newsletter.
Godly Play is a Montessori-based christian education curriculum where children explore the stories of the Bible and practices of the church through hands-on learning and play. Stories are told with hand-crafted materials, then children are led through a series of wondering questions followed by a period of self-directed work. At 9:00 a.m. we offer an online zoom-based lesson where these oldest students encounter more extension stories than the younger classroom, and are introduced to beginning Bible study each week. At 10:00 a.m. these students are invited to participate in a combined, all ages Godly Play class that meets in-person, outside. Links and departing details are available via our weekly newsletter.
(Rising 5th-6th grades)
9:00 online (Zoom): Students in 5th - 6th grades dive into Bible study as we Meet the Ancestors of the Old Testament & New Testament. Through video, discussion, and projects, we get to know the many varied personalities that God chose to be leaders of God’s people. Students encounter each Bible book and learn the basics of how we take the scriptures seriously, but not literally. This 2-year class will complete most of the Old Testament in 2021-22 school year and will move forward into the New Testament books and ancestors in October/November 2022.
10:00 in-person/outside: Students who choose to gather in-person/outside will experience what we’re calling “Bible Explorers” -- basically “Ancestors unplugged” where our teachers will teach without utilizing videos, and students will explore at the same pace as their online classmates.
9:00 online (Zoom): Students in 5th - 6th grades dive into Bible study as we Meet the Ancestors of the Old Testament & New Testament. Through video, discussion, and projects, we get to know the many varied personalities that God chose to be leaders of God’s people. Students encounter each Bible book and learn the basics of how we take the scriptures seriously, but not literally. This 2-year class will complete most of the Old Testament in 2021-22 school year and will move forward into the New Testament books and ancestors in October/November 2022.
10:00 in-person/outside: Students who choose to gather in-person/outside will experience what we’re calling “Bible Explorers” -- basically “Ancestors unplugged” where our teachers will teach without utilizing videos, and students will explore at the same pace as their online classmates.
(Rising 7th-8th grades)
Confirmation is the last church school class for students to take before they are invited into full membership at Old South Church. This year-long class will take students through basic Christian theology, history, the United Church of Christ, and our place in the world as Christians using the curriculum Confirm not Conform. We ask that students commit to the journey of the class, and support whatever decisions they come to as to whether they will join as a member or not. If public health precautions allow, we will try to visit other worshipping communities in the winter and spring.
This class will gather at 11:00 a.m. in a hybrid style -- meeting in-person on the 4th floor and online each week.
Confirmation is the last church school class for students to take before they are invited into full membership at Old South Church. This year-long class will take students through basic Christian theology, history, the United Church of Christ, and our place in the world as Christians using the curriculum Confirm not Conform. We ask that students commit to the journey of the class, and support whatever decisions they come to as to whether they will join as a member or not. If public health precautions allow, we will try to visit other worshipping communities in the winter and spring.
This class will gather at 11:00 a.m. in a hybrid style -- meeting in-person on the 4th floor and online each week.
(9th - 12th grades)
Youth Group meets at 11:00 a.m. -- and this fall we will be alternating in-person/outside and online - gathering with leader Martha Schick and assistant Jimmy Kamel. Contact Martha (martha@oldsouth.org) for our schedule and for more information.
Youth Group meets at 11:00 a.m. -- and this fall we will be alternating in-person/outside and online - gathering with leader Martha Schick and assistant Jimmy Kamel. Contact Martha (martha@oldsouth.org) for our schedule and for more information.