Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.
                                                                                              Matthew 19.14
Our Faith and Philosophy

Just as Jesus welcomed the children, we welcome your children into the life and ministry of Orange Congregational Church and we welcome you as partners in our educational ministries. As a congregation firmly rooted in the Reformed Protestant tradition, we believe that we are called to ministry through the Sacrament of Baptism, and so we share ourselves, our gifts and the stories and traditions of the Christian faith with our children to help them build an abiding relationship with God that will serve as the foundation for their lives.

In one hour a week Church School teachers can plant some seeds. But seeds need to be nurtured daily in order to grow. It is our belief that home and church must become partners in nurturing children in their Christian growth. In this area we offer some information about our church's ministry with children--our goals, the curriculum, the staff, the schedule, children's participation in worship and the sacraments-- and some suggestions and resources for sharing faith with children. We invite you to become partners with us in bringing up our children in the Christian faith. Deborah Zaleha, Director of Christian Education and the members of the Board for Christian Education welcome you and your children into our life of faith. We invite and encourage you to bring your gifts for Christian ministry and your love of God’s children into the practice of Christian education.

As a church, we feel called to share our Christian mission and ministry with our children. In many ways, our children lead us in outreach by holding major mission projects in the Fall and Spring of each year. For the past two years, our Church School has led a CROP Walk for Hunger, raising over $6000 for the ministries of Church World Service. Our children have also contributed to Heifer Project International, Habitat for Humanity and the Mants'ase Children's Home in Lesotho, which serves children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. 

At Orange Congregational Church, the Bible is central to our understanding of Christian faith. Through engagement with scripture, our children come to learn the stories of our faith and the values of compassion and justice that give our faith meaning. Bibles are presented to our fifth graders in the fall of the year.

Families in Worship

Our Church School meets during our second hour of worship, but we invite families to worship together on our occasional Family Sundays. In preparation for these special Sundays, the Church School prepares monthly Children’s Chapel services that teach children the practice of worship. So that our children may participate more fully in our time of worship, we invite parents to consider some of the following:

Acknowledge with your children the reality of God’s presence and love in your daily lives by giving thanks and expressing enthusiasm about anything you enjoy--from a meal to a good TV program. Remember what God has done in your own life and family. Birthdays, anniversaries, the beginning of the school year, etc., are natural times to think about what God has done and is doing.

Encourage your children to ask questions about God in relation to the events of their lives. Introduce your children to the order of worship. Take home a Sunday bulletin. Talk with your children about each part of the service. What are we doing during the 'Prelude,' and the other parts of worship? What are their favorite parts of worship? Which are hard to understand?

Help make worship familiar and welcoming to your children by introducing them to other adults in the congregation. It can mean a great deal to children when they hear someone welcome them by name. Help your children to participate in worship by using the time after you sit down to prepare for the service. Going over the Order of Worship with your children will help them to make sense of the service. And as the 'Prelude' begins, remind them that this is a time of peace and preparation . . . 'A quiet time to talk with God.'

Help your children to see worship as a positive and joyful celebration of God. As you answer questions, guide young eyes across a page, locate a hymn or scripture passage in the bulletin, and remember the words of Jesus: "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name, welcomes me."

Church School Curriculum 

All classes are encouraged to use different versions of the Bible to accomplish the following goals.

Children in Pre-Kindergarten through Kindergarten are introduced to familiar stories from the Old and New Testaments including the story of Creation, Noah’s Ark, Baby Moses, the Burning Bush, Jonah and the Whale, Abraham Leaving Home, Samuel, the Birth of Jesus and the Resurrection.

Children in First through Sixth Grades are introduced to New Testament stories such as the Birth of Jesus, the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Sower and the Seed, the Tax Collector, Jesus Walking on Water, Feeding the Multitudes, Healing the Blind Man and the Passion of Christ.

Children in Seventh and Eighth Grades are encouraged to consider the teachings of Jesus as relevant to the choices they are asked to make in their lives. They are given the opportunity to lead worship throughout the year and to attend worship at other churches and faith communities. In addition, they are encouraged to participate in the mission work of the church.

At Orange Congregational Church, we use the following curricula:
 Toddlers – Bible Quest
 Nursery School – Kindergarten – Bible Quest
 First through Sixth Grade – Seasons of the Spirit
 Seventh and Eighth Grade – Living the Good News 

Bible Quest is a U.C.C. bible story based curriculum. Seasons of the Spirit and Living the Good News are both lectionary based. Since children learn best by doing, we encourage hands on activities in all the classrooms.

2010-2011 Church School registration form and calendar.

 

Nursery School The Orange Congregational Church Nursery School (OCCNS) has been in existence for 44 continuous years.  It is housed on the lower level of the church Sunday school wing.  The program is a Christian based traditional nursery school for three and four year olds in a 2 ½ hour class.  Classes are Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the four year olds and Tuesday and Thursday for threes from 9A.M. to 11:30A.M.  A five day program for 4 year olds only is available for $500 extra.  A parent is expected to work in the Nursery School on a rotating basis.  The Director/Head Teacher has experience as a kindergarten teacher with a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education as well as 18 years experience as a teacher at OCCNS. The School is licensed by the State of Connecticut. The Aims and Purposes
		In the spring the nursery school children planted marigolds and potatoes in the Children's Garden which will be entered in the Orange Country Fair in September.

1. To provide an additional opportunity for the Christian nurture of children.
2. To create an environment in which a child feels secure. 
3. To provide creative play experience and opportunity for fine and gross motor development.
4. To increase independence.
5. To provide the opportunity to be a part of a group, to share experiences and to share with others.
6. To develop imagination, curiosity and readiness skills at the child’s own rate of progress.
7. To provide a service to the community. 

The child must be 3 years old before January 1st to enroll in the three year old class.   Registration is still open for both classes.  Call the church office 203 795-9749 and leave a message for Susan Palmer if you have questions or would like an  application.  Tuition is $1500 for the three year olds and $2000 for the four year olds payable in two installments one in September when school starts and the second the first day back in January after the Christmas vacation. 

Classes for 2012/2013 begin the Monday after Labor Day, September 10th.