GROUPS
Bethany Church offers programming and nursery care for all ages.
-On Sunday morning, during worship, we offer nursery care for infants and toddlers as well as Sunday school for elementary school-aged children.
-Youth Groups meet throughout the school year and are open to all area youth in grades 3-5.
-Adult education opportunities are offered regularly and range from book groups to discussion opportunites and run year-round.
For more information on our Christian Education programming please call 728-5849 or email us at bethanyucc@gmail.com.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
“You shall teach these words diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way.” —Deuteronomy 6:7
Nursery
Care
We offer nursery care for infants and toddlers. The Bethany nursery has a hired staff person who is a trained childcare provider and is CPR certified.
Irene and Kiki warmly welcomes your child(ren) to our nursery and helps them feel comfortable so that you can enjoy worship.
Please remember to bring your child’s diapers, wipes and bottle and complete a nursery registration form when first dropping your child off at the nursery.
Sunday
School
Children are deeply spiritual beings. They are awed by creation, inquisitive about the workings of life and eager to be part of community. Our Sunday School strives to create a loving, safe environment in which your child can share their spiritual questions and prayers for their family and world. We teach Bible stories that speak of hope, forgiveness, redemption and virtues such as patience, humility and kindness. Our goal is not to convert your child to a certain dogma or belief system, but instead, help them to experience the essence of Christ that already resides in their soul. We are currently using "Seasons Encore" by Seasons of the Spirit for our elementary school-aged children and "Godly Play" story boxes for our Pre-K and Kindergarten students. Activities include show and tell, cooking, brain teaser puzzles, crafts, music making, and more.
Parents/Guardians are welcome to join their children in class.
We want you to be familiar with the workings of our church and invite parents/guardians to attend class with their child if they so desire. The children also take part in mission by donating quarters to a designated project. In 2007, our children raised over $5000 for an ark through the Heifer Project. Sunday School runs from early September through Children’s Day in June. In the summer months, there are special activities planned for children during worship each week.
To register your child for Sunday School, email the office or call 802-728-5849. Please fill out and bring this registration form with you on the first day of Sunday School. We look forward to having your children join us!
ADULT EDUCATION
“…so that all may learn and all be encouraged.” —1 Corinthians 14:31
Book Discussion Groups meet at various times throughout the year. Recent discussions have focused on Following Jesus in a Culture of Fear by Scott Bader-Saye; God’s Politics by Jim Wallis; Reading the Bible with Third World Eyes by Robert McAfee Brown; The Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg; and Cynthia Bourgeault’s book, The Wisdom of Jesus. Call the church office (728-5849) for current information.
Classes and Workshops are offered periodically on a variety of topics. Past examples have included parenting, Enneagram, issues around death and dying, spiritual expression through dance, story telling, writing, and contemplative creation of prayer cards.
Church Retreats: Bethany occasionally offers recreational as well as silent church retreats to such places as Star Island in the Isles of Shoals off Rye, NH; the Bishop Booth Conference Center on Lake Champlain in Burlington, VT; and the Eastern Point Retreat House in Gloucester, MA.
Senior Choir Bethany’s Senior Choir rehearses September-June on Thursdays at 7 pm and Sundays at 9 am.
YOUTH GROUPS
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
—1 Timothy 4:12 NIV
Program Overview
Bethany offers a vital youth program for the children of the greater Randolph area, many of whom are not church members. We welcome all youth to participate in these programs, where children have said they feel safe and nurtured, and have formed life-long friendships. These programs provide opportunities for children and teens to reflect on their inner lives, have fun, and be their authentic selves.
We strive to create programs that provide youth with opportunities to help others both locally and globally. From applesauce making for the Randolph Area Foodshelf to feeding and clothing the homeless in Boston, our youth group experiences have had a profound impact in the way our children relate to the world. Many young adults come back to share how their life choices to help others were formed because of their experiences in youth group.
Like our Sunday School program, our goal is not to convert your child to a certain dogma or belief system, but instead to give them tools to deepen their spiritual life. We do this through reading, discussion, and prayer activities.
HERE IS A LIST OF BETHANY’S YOUTH GROUPS:
● 3-5 Grade Youth Group meets every Friday, beginning late September, 2:45pm (after school) - 4:45pm
Contact the church office (728-5849) or email us at irbethanyucc@gmail.com if you have questions or would like to be part of the fun!