Welcome to the First Congregational Church of Hanover, Massachusetts, United Church of Christ

CHURCH SCHOOL

We believe that all ages are learners and that faith formation is a partnership between the church, the family and Jesus Christ. Church is one of the last places in our society where people of all ages and cultures come together in a community of support and service.

At our church faith formation begins with the whole church family in worship. Half way through the 10 am worship service, we shift to lessons that are age appropriate. Our children head to a different building to join their friends for the Rotation Model Church School where they learn about stories, lessons and insights of our faith. (Click here for the 2008-09 Church School schedule.) Our adults remain in worship to learn through prayers, music and sermon.

We have a great curriculum called the Rotation Model. It is a unique way to pass along our faith to the next generation. Our kids meet in age appropriate groups. For four weeks they study the same story from scripture. Each week they go to a different classroom to learn the story in a different way:

YOUTH GROUPS
We have created a Youth Ministries team that oversees the activities of




	An extremely active set of programs ensures that many members of our congregation participate in furnishing their talents to the support of the church. CHURCH SCHOOL We believe that all ages are learners and that faith formation is a partnership between the church, the family and Jesus Christ. Church is one of the last places in our society where people of all ages and cultures come together in a community of support and service. At our church faith formation begins with the whole church family in worship. Half way through the 10 am worship service, we shift to lessons that are age appropriate. Our children head to a different building to join their friends for the Rotation Model Church School where they learn about stories, lessons and insights of our faith. (Click here for the 2008-09 Church School schedule.) Our adults remain in worship to learn through prayers, music and sermon. We have a great curriculum called the Rotation Model. It is a unique way to pass along our faith to the next generation. Our kids meet in age appropriate groups. For four weeks they study the same story from scripture. Each week they go to a different classroom to learn the story in a different way: It may be cooking in the kitchen. It may be the movie theater. It may be producing a play. It may be arts and crafts. It may be music. It may be through science. It may be games and activities. We also learn by offering service to the community through special mission projects and activities. Our middle school youth particularly enjoy this. YOUTH GROUPS We have created a Youth Ministries team that oversees the activities of Senior High Fellowship (Schedule) Junior High Fellowship (Schedule) Youth Diaconate (Schedule) CONFIRMATION (Schedule) We offer Confirmation to the high school members of our community of faith starting in 9th grade. This is not about teaching dogma or doctrine. It is not about passing on information. Confirmation is about exploring our spirituality. It is about hearing the stories of people who have struggled with faith and found wisdom and insight along the way. It is about learning from other people’s relationship with Jesus. Confirmation is about making choices and asking questions and challenging presumptions and touching the heart of God. In our church Confirmation begins in October and continues through May of the following year. During that time we will: Make new friends Watch videos Read and explore scripture Hear about stories from history Express our thoughts and discoveries through writing and art Figure out how faith, our lives and current events interact Examine the way we make decisions Learn about our church Join confirmation students from other churches for day long and overnight retreats Make a difference in the world through service and justice. Some of our programs overlap with Senior High Fellowship. Some of them overlap with church programs and events. Everyone is strongly urged to participate in our annual Youth Mission Trip. It’s a life changing chance to help people in the most extreme need. Confirmation culminates in a moving experience of worship where youth take their place in the family of faith as adults.	OUTREACH Read our brochure summarizing some of the ways our church contributes to the greater community. Mainspring House Hanover Food Pantry Habitat for Humanity UCC World Missions Academic & Camp Scholarships Seafarer's Friends BIBLE STUDY A weekly evening Bible Study gives those interested a chance to explore topics in more depth. See Monday Evening Faith Conversations. CHURCH FAIRE The entire community eagerly waits all year for this great social event and the goods made by our church family. CALLED TO CARE A program developed by our United Church of Christ,”Called To Care,” is being used by our church in a modified form. The program continues to serve as a resource in coordinating and training church caregivers. We have teams that are available in times of stress or struggle. Response may range from a card, phone call, visit, ride, or a coordination of meals. Reverend Remick continues to be the main provider of spiritual care of our church. If you are interested in someone being contacted by a member of Called to Care, you can do so by contacting Reverend Remick. Our ministry is prayerful and confidential. PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY Our church has a Prayer Shawl Ministry. Members of our church donate their time and talents by creating hand-knitted, crocheted or sewn shawls, lap blankets or baby blankets. We also have members who write notes as part of their gifts to the Prayer Shawl Ministry. All who knit, crochet or sew are welcome.. We also have work for those who don’t work with yarn or cloth. If you have a WILLING HEART, we want you. If you would like a lesson we will arrange one. The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the first Wednesday of every month in the Church Vestry. Refreshments are served. BOOK CONVERSATIONS Books can profoundly change our understanding of ourselves and the world. That is enhanced when we can reflect with others around our insights and our questions. The first Sunday of each month you are invited to stay after our 10 am experience of worship for a conversation of a different book. Here’s the list for the fall and future (books may be purchased at Borders Express in Hanover at a 20% discount if you mention the church): OCTOBER 12: The Great Awakening by Jim Wallis NOVEMBER 2: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson DEC. 7: Creating True Peace by Thick Nhat Hanh JANUARY: Half Time by Bob Buford FEBRUARY: A New Earth by Eckhard Tolle MARCH: Traveling Light by Max Lucado MAY: The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman