At First Parish, we offer childcare and programming for all ages from birth until high school graduation. On Sunday mornings, babies, toddlers, and preschoolers are cared for in our professionally staffed nursery. Children in grades K-12 participate in the religious education classes held during the 10:30 AM service, or they may stay in worship if they would like.
Where do we start?
Our youngest members begin the morning in various ways:
- Babies/toddlers can be dropped off in our nursery prior to the start of the service.
- K-8th graders typically begin by attending a short portion of the worship service with their parents before departing for church school.
- Middle & High School students should speak with Robert Jones about assisting as a Youth Aide during church school.
Upon your arrival, stop by our greeter’s table near the main entrance so a member of our Welcome Committee can help direct you.
Read on for further information about what you can expect from your first visit to First Parish.
New(er) to First Parish?
Please fill out this same-day registration for our children’s program to provide basic details and emergency contact info.
Nursery
Professional nursery care is provided for babies through Kindergarten by Robert Jones, our Youth & Family Ministries Coordinator. We have a beautiful nursery space with wonderful toys and lots of natural light, and a phenomenal playground right outside the church school wing.
Please feel free to reach out to Robert Jones directly with any questions, or just take a few minutes to meet with him as you drop off your child. You are welcome to stay in the nursery with your child as long as you’d like, of course!
K-8 Sunday Morning Religious Education
Your K-12 graders will start off in the Sanctuary or go immediately to their religious education program. Most Sundays your children will join you for the beginning of worship to share hymns, congregational prayer, and readings. We typically conclude with a story or children’s message before the children depart for their classes.
Your child can expect to be warmly welcomed in church school, to learn about the Bible, world religions, caring for the environment and one another, and other ethical and moral values. First Parish does not hold a specific creed, so we do not tell children what to believe or what is “true.” All beliefs and backgrounds are welcome.
Guests and visitors are invited to join us at any time! Some parents like to accompany their children to children’s worship or to their religious education classroom the first time. Alternately, you can connect with Rev. Sarah Napoline, the Assistant Minister for Families and Community Outreach, ahead of time.
We ask all visitors to fill out this same-day registration form with names, contact info, and allergies. (Families attending First Parish regularly should click here for our full church school registration form).
For additional information about our Sunday morning religious education programs or youth programming (separate from Sunday mornings), click here.
9-12 Grade
Our High School Youth Group meets about twice a month on Sunday mornings from 9 to 10:15am in the Youth Room with Robert Jones, our Youth and Family Ministries Coordinator. The intention of the group’s regular meeting is to offer a safe and sacred space to connect and support one another, and to explore themes of the group’s choosing to help them on their lifelong spiritual journeys.
Separate from the Youth Group meetings, many of our youth come to church (or stay after youth group) to help teach Religious Education with the elementary children in Church School. And beyond Sunday mornings, our youth group chooses their own fun activities, events, and service projects. It is a unique community of belonging, growth, connection, and support.
For more information about our programs and approach to children’s growth and religious education, please see our Families with Children page.