Christian Formation
First Church’s growing ministry of Christian Education for children, youth, and adults is designed to inform by awakening or enhancing ethical awareness, bringing alive our biblical and historical roots, and giving direction and skill to our impulse to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ.
– Learn About Christian Formation Opportunities –
Confirmation
Ninth graders attend a year long Confirmation Class in preparation for confirming their baptism and joining the church.
These classes meet primarily on Sundays mornings.
Adult Education
Education-Adult education is offered in the form of weekly Bible studies, occasional book studies, and courses on a variety of faith topics offered throughout the year. A winter spiritual retreat is also offered for adults.
Horton Center Retreats
Horton Center Camp and Retreat Center, a ministry of the NH Conference of the United Church of Christ, is located in the heart of the White Mountains, where spectacular beauty abounds. Experience God’s creation in this “thin” place between heaven and earth.
Make new friends, explore your faith, take risks, have the time of your life. Come be part of the Horton Center family!
Check out all the opportunities that Horton Center has available: Confirmation Retreats | Youth Summer Camp Sessions | Adult Camps. Retreats, camps and fun for all ages!
Child Care & Sunday School
CHILDCARE For infants through two-year-olds is available during worship every Sunday of the year in the nursery suite located downstairs beneath the sanctuary. All care is provided by volunteer adults with trained teenage assistants.
SUNDAY SCHOOL: From the second Sunday (typically) in September through the second Sunday (typically) in June. Children may be enrolled at the registration table after worship in early September or by calling the church office at any time during the year.
Children in the 3-year-old class through grade 8 worship in the Sanctuary with their parents. Following the children’s story they leave for their regular Sunday School class.
Children stay with the same class until the following September and do not move up on their birthdays.
Children in grades two and under meet their parents at their classrooms at 11:15 a.m. Teachers will not dismiss a child until a parent arrives.
Sunday School
Welcome
Welcome to First Church! Thank you for choosing to learn more about the Sunday school program here. You should find it to be inviting, interesting and fun. This page will help you become acquainted with the Sunday school; one part of a Christian education ministry which also includes nursery care, confirmation, youth fellowship and adult studies.
Registration
There are four simple ways to register for Sunday school:
- Print out and complete the Sunday school registration form and submit online, drop it off in the Christian Formaiton Office, or mail it to First Church Nashua, 1 Concord St. Nashua, NH 03064
- Please call 603-882-4861 for any Christian Education questions.
- Stop in to the Sunday school office (on the 2nd floor of the Walker Building) any Sunday morning or during the week.
- During the month of September, stop by the Christian Formation table in Fellowship Hall right after morning worship.
You register only once in your life. Each year, your records are moved up to the next class. If something changes, your address, allergies, etc., please call the church office.
What Class Will I Be In?
First Church follows the Nashua public school system, with September 30 as the cut off birth date for children entering the next class. There are Sunday School classes for 3-year-olds through grade 8 All students grades 3 yr. old-8th grade will go directly to worship with their parents and leave after the Children’s Story for Sunday School classes.
Who Will Be My Teacher?
First Church is very proud of its large, competent and caring Sunday school staff. There are about 80 people who work with the thirteen classes mentioned here. There are close to 150 volunteers in the total Christian education program. Each Sunday there are at least two volunteer teachers in each classroom, at least one of whom is an adult. Volunteers are trained and must fill out a confidential screening form in accordance with First Church’s Youth Protection Policy.
I Still Have Some Questions
If you or your parents have questions, comments or concerns that are not covered in this brochure, you are welcome to call the church office at 882-4861.
Sunday School Registration
If you are new to First Church, you will find Sunday school registration forms online, at the Christian Formation Center, Welcome Center or by calling the church office, 603-882-4861. Please register each child online confirming that your most recent email, cell phone and address are current even if you think we have them.
To view the Sunday School registration form, click here.
Nursery
Nursery News
The nursery resumes its regular schedule on Sunday September 11th at 9:45am. The nursery coordinators along with a team of dedicated caregivers, are ready to nurture and lavish attention on the youngest members of our First Church family.
If you are new to First Church, please contact the main office, or visit the Christian Formation office in the Walker Building. Parents are asked to stop at the sign-in counter where you will be greeted by one of the coordinators and asked to sign your name. You and your child will receive bracelets with matching numbers which will be matched up when you return for your child at the end of worship. You are asked tot leave a cell phone number, so that you may be notified immediately if your child needs you. You are welcome to stay with your child as long as you like. Be sure to tell the adult volunteer anything they should know about your child (allergies, special signs or words, comfort tools) and mark all possessions and your child with the child’s name.
We ask that you register your child to integrate as part of the Christian formation program, progressing from the nursery to Sunday School, Confirmation and youth activities as your child grows. Please submit your registration form to the office.
Youth Ministry
The First Church has active Junior and Senior High fellowship groups led by a team of energetic, caring, well-trained adults from the congregation. Fellowship, worship, outreach, and educational activities and programs are designed to encourage the development and deepening of connections between youth and God, one another, adults and children in the congregation, and the world around them.
All youth are encouraged to participate in programs and activities designed specifically for them, but our greater hope is that senior highers join with their families and friends in participating in church-wide fellowship, outreach, and worship events. They are also encouraged to serve as leaders in our Christian Education program by teaching children’s classes, working in the nursery, and leading Vacation Bible School activities; to join or help lead our various musical ensembles; and, after completing the confirmation program, to serve as members of our church’s various boards, committees, and ministry teams.
The Music Ministry of The First Church offers Youth Choirs & Bell Choirs. Join Chapel Chimers for Pre K through Grade 2, Joyful Noise Choir for Grades 3-7, Jubellation – grades 4-8, First Schola for Grades 8-12.
JUNIOR HIGHERS
Makes a Difference (MAD) for seventh and eighth graders meets throughout the school year during the Sunday School time of the 10 am. worship service for a combination of classes, service projects, and fellowship. The group has great fun and grows closer together while learning about their faith and serving others.
MAD students will have a class session to learn about communion. Each Communion Sunday, (the first Sunday of each month), students remain in the sanctuary with their families for the entirety of the worship service to receive communion.
Make A Difference Grades 7&8
Sunday school for grades 7-8 is planned as a pre-confirmation experience, providing a format to discuss and act upon lessons learned in Sunday School as well as time to prepare for the intensive confirmation class.
- Make a Difference meets during the regular Sunday school time each Sunday, except the first Sunday of the month when they remain in church for communion.
Make a Difference focuses on mission and service to one another, with intentional reflection on Christian service. Activities include apple picking, projects for the Front Door Agency and the Nashua Soup Kitchen. The class may create a mission based on current events.
SENIOR HIGHERS
Senior High Youth Group typically meets on select Sundays throughout the school year at 11:30 am in the fireside room. for fun-filled times of friendship, food, and frolicking. Activities focus on helping our teens connect with one another and to serve the world around them. Past years activities are below.
- Apple Picking at Brookdale Farm
- Apple Crisp baking & Selling
- Cornhole Tournament
- PumpkinPalooza – pumpkin carving and decorating contest
- Bowling at Leda Lanes
- Chili Cook-off and Anne-Marie House Meal Prep
- MovieDay in the Fireside Room.
- Meatloaf Express
- Mini-golf at Max’s Country Gol
Additional Activities for Senior High Youth Group include:
- Youth Sunday
- Senior High Recognition
- Mission Trips
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation is a year-long program for those in grade nine and over who wish to explore their faith; learn more about God, the Bible, the church, and Christian traditions; and become full members of First Church. The group meets from 11:30 AM-1PM. twice each month. Participants will also experience community service activities and much more.
Here are the dates for the 2023-2024 confirmation program: All classes meet at 11:30AM-1:00PM int he Fireside Room.
- May 7th 11:30 – Confirmation kickoff
- September 11 6:00-8:00 PM – Confirmation orientation in dining room. Parents and mentors invited.
- September 16 8:30-12:00 PM – Water Walk with mentors
- September 17 – Rally Sunday
- September 24 – Group building, introduction to statement of faith, the Trinity, church and mission
- October 7 & 8 – Retreat with mentors
- October 22 – Prayer
- October 29 – CROP Walk with mentors
- November 5 – The Bible
- November 19 – Mentor Lunch. Presentation of confirmation projects to leadership and submitted with mentor/parents/guardian signatures. The interview is assigned. Creation and Science
- December 3 – The History of the Church, Protestant Reformation and Formation of UCC
- December 10 – Mentor Lunch. Mentors and Confirmands introduce each other. Birth of Jesus
- December 24 – Christmas 4. Worship at 9:00 & 11:00
- January 7 – Jesus Christ: Divine and Human. Assign parables.
- January 21 – Confirmands present parables. Jesus as Wisdom Teacher. French Toast with Dianne Smigliani (?)
- February 4 – Local Church, History of First Church
- February 11 – Annual Meeting
- February 14 – Ash Wednesday
- March 3 – Christian symbols, scavenger hunt, banners assigned
- March 17 – Float/open day
- March 28 – Maundy Thursday
- March 31 – Easter
- April 7 – World Religions
- April 21- Mentor Lunch. Christ crucified and resurrected. Banner design due
- May 5 – The Holy Spirit, Forgiveness and Grace
- May 11 – Class Retreat 12:00 – 4:00. Vows for confirmation. Personal statement of faith shared. Class statement of faith. Confirmation mission project shared
- May 19 – Confirmation Sunday
Joyful Noise
Open to all children from Grades 3 through 7, this ensemble offers a quality choral experience through the leadership of Rebecca Crivello. This ensemble is the perfect setting to learn singing in a supportive group setting, and develop music and performance skills which enhance overall general education. The choir participates in worship at regular intervals, often in cooperation with the Christian Education ministry.
Joyful Noise meets regularly on Sunday Mornings (October through May) at 11:20AM-12PM in the Chapel. Registration for this ensemble is by calling the church office at (603)882-4861. The 2023-2024 Worship and Rehearsal schedule is available by clicking on the links.
Joyful Noise Rehearsals Joyful Noise in Worship
Jubellation (Bell Choir)
Whether as a continuation from Chapel Chimers, or joining the music ministry at a later date, this bell choir is open to all children in Grades 4 through 8. Music-reading and rhythmic skills are developed and techniques in handbell ringing round out the musical experience in this beginning-levelbell choir. Jubellation meets at 11:20AM in the Balcom Room.This bell choir offers those who are interested in instrumental music, the chance to be part of Music at First.
Jubellation Rehearsals Jubellation in Worship
First Schola
This ensemble for female youth in Grades 7 through 12, offers development of solid vocal techniques and quality choral repertoire drawn from Sacred music literature. The choir is trained as an advanced youth vocal ensemble: the word Schola coming from Latin, literally meaning “school.” Experience in other choirs or other music education sources will certainly enhance the experience. All youth are welcome, whether continuing on from Joyful Noise or joining the music ministry first at this level.
First Schola is the “anchor choir” for the 7:00 PM Christmas Eve Worship Service and participates in Sunday Worship several times a year. A strong youth (and parental) commitment to this ensemble is key to its success.
First Schola meets regularly on Tuesdays (Late Sept through Mid May) at 6:00 PM for rehearsal. The 2022-2023 Worship and Rehearsal schedule is available by clicking on the links.
Scholarships
Each year, First Church proudly presents scholarships to graduating high school seniors and continuing education grants to adults and/or students already in college that are or will be working toward an educational goal. The First Church Scholarships are awarded each year to deserving students who intend to further their education beyond high school. Please contact [email protected] to request an application.
Criteria for the scholarships include:
• Active Membership at First Church
• Service and participation in the church
• Financial need
• Community service and extra-curricular activities
Any First Church members interested in applying for a First Church scholarship must do the following:
First Church Service Scholarship Application for Graduating Seniors:
(1) Microsoft Word application or
(2) Link to Google Doc version of the application
First Church Service Scholarship FINANCIAL Application for PARENTS of Graduating Seniors:
(1) Microsoft Word application or
(2) Link to Google Doc version of the application
First Church Continuing Education Grant Application for adult members of First Church: Educational grants are available for adult members of the church pursuing any type of vocational or academic program and for students who are already in college and who have not received a First Church scholarship in the past. Contact [email protected] for an application or with any questions.
(1) Microsoft Word application or
(2) Link to Google Doc version of the application
Scholarship Applications are due no later than April 15, of each year. Late scholarship applications will not be accepted.
First Church Scholarships are awarded on Children’s Day.
Vacation Bible School
VBS is open for all registered Sunday School Children and held one week in July. This is a lively, action packed week for to age 4 through grade 6. Activities include worship, music, drama, crafts, stories and outdoor activities.
Become a Teacher
Youth Protection Policy
The First Church, Congregational, United Church of Christ of Nashua, NH is committed to creating a safe and healthy environment in which young people can learn about and experience God’s love. In order to ensure this, we require that all people applying to be volunteers who work with minors will have been members for at least six months or friends of First Church for one year. It is the policy of the church to provide adequate supervision for all youth activities. We also expect all employees or volunteers who work with minors to complete and submit a disclosure document.