Winnetka Congregational Church

~Child Care (9:30 – 11:30 am)
Infants and toddlers in the Nursery and Toddler Room

~Jr-K - Sixth Grade Church School (10:15-11:10 am)
Bible stories utilizing drama, art, science, cooking, movement and multimedia.

- Children’s Gift-making Fair
- Christmas Pageant
- Lent Passion Play
- Summer One-room Sunday School – June-July

During the 10a.m. worship service in the Sanctuary, children initially worship with their parents. They are dismissed to their classes within the first 15 minutes of the service and meet on the amphitheater stairs to find their class and teacher. Classes are offered for Jr. and Sr. Kindergarten; 1st grade and 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade. Teachers will bring classes to the Fellowship Hall at 11:10 where parents can meet their children, except in the case of JK/K children who we ask to be picked up at their classroom. Parents and their children are encouraged to join in common fellowship after the worship service.

The WCC church school works as a cooperative and follows philosophy of formational Christian Education which aims to form young Christians not only through instruction, but also by living God’s word. Each month, children learn a general bible/Christian theme presented in a variety of learning experiences. Our curriculum is based on a 6-year rotational model, and children learn prayers and worship through art, drama, science, movement and music. It incorporates all senses and multi-intelligences in its approach to learning.

This year we will be learning about: King David, Moses, Joseph, Mary and Joseph, Three Kings, Elijah, Jonah, Jeremiah, Noah, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Heroes of today.

We have a great group of teachers. Each class has a team of 4 teachers that rotate teaching responsibilities. In addition, each teacher has at least one other adult assistant each week.

Service to our greater community is an important aspect of Christian Education. Each week, the children’s monetary offerings are collected to benefit a mission or outreach project that the children have chosen, and are not used for church operations. In the last few years, the children donated to Heifer International and Pennies for Peace. This fall we will continue to raise money for Pennies for Peace (www.penniesforpeace.org) We hope to encourage the children’s natural generosity by discussing how they can contribute to a healthy society through their church school.

One of our best-loved traditions in our Christian heritage is celebrating the gift of Scripture. On Bible Sunday, the church presents age-appropriate and personalized Bibles to Kindergarten, 3rd Grade, and 5^th Grade students which they may take home or leave in their classrooms. Bible Sunday is celebrated in October. Our Pastors and Children’s Ministry leaders present the 5th graders with their new bibles during worship service, while the K and 3^rd graders receive their bibles in their classrooms.

Service to our greater community is an important aspect of Christian Education. Each week, the children’s monetary offerings are collected to benefit a mission or outreach project that the children have chosen, and are not used for church operations. In the last few years, the children donated to Heifer International. We hope to encourage the children’s natural generosity by discussing how they can contribute to a healthy society through their church school.

We believe that parents are their best teachers and role-models. Our cooperative church school system is comprised of volunteer parents and other members of the congregation. We ask all parents to assist in the classroom between 2-4 times during the program year. We also need volunteers in other children‘s ministry events e.g. Annual Gift Fair and Christmas Pageant. We aim to provide opportunities for our children to learn about their Christian faith through biblical teachings as well as in fellowship with one another and through inter-generational connections.