Christian Education and Faith Formation
Faith Formation equips people to live as disciples of Jesus. Faith formation informs, forms, and transforms the person, whether child, youth, or adult, into a robust, vital, and life-giving Christian with a faith that is holistic: a way of the head, the heart, and the hands. Faith formation can happen in many settings: the church, a coffee shop, online—just about anywhere!
Our church has developed a safe church policy to protect everyone as they participate in various ministries of the church.
Adult Formation
Although these activities are designed for adults, they are also open to youth who are interested in deeper discussion.
Old Sloop Storytelling
This is a time to connect with others in the Old Sloop community. Listen to their stories and, if you feel up to it, share a story of your own.
Bible Study
During our Bible study we practice Lectio Divina, meditating with scripture by listening to the passage a few times to hear the word or phrase that speaks to us. After that we meditate together on the scripture, then share what we experienced.
Women’s Retreat
The Women’s Retreat provides an opportunity for women to gather for prayer, reflection, song, and discussion each spring. It is led by a different minister each year and is attended by 20-30 women, from the congregation and from the community. The day-long event is held at a location away from the church, often at a retreat center such as Adelynrood in Byfield, MA. The Women’s Retreat provides women with a chance to get to know each other better while sharing stories in a beautiful, peaceful setting.
Youth Formation
The goals of our youth formation programs are to help our young people to:
- Know God personally and know that God loves them
- Believe and know that their voices and opinions matter
- Know that they are in a safe space and can be who God created them to be
- Be able to explore and ask difficult questions
- Have fun!
Ministry to Children with Special Needs
Our church desires to welcome all children and families, including those impacted by disability. Our youth space has a quiet corner for those with sensory needs. There is a worship cart in the sanctuary with fidgets, coloring, etc. If you have to leave the Sanctuary with your child, feel free to do so, but please come back. As Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.” You can also watch the service streaming in the bride’s room off the Narthex. We want to help your family integrate into our congregation, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Director of Faith Formation, Katie Welch to see how we can best support your family.
Old Sloop Kids (Sunday Mornings)
Our Sunday worship begins with the children in service until after the passing of the peace/special music. An all ages class from preschool through 6th grade meets most Sundays excluding holidays, and school vacations. For a quiet space you make take your younger children to the bride’s room located in the narthex at any point during the service where it is also live streamed.
Youth Choir
The Old Sloop’s Youth Choir provides a great opportunity for children to grow both in musical ability and in building healthy relationships.
Old Sloop Kids Club (Kindergarten–6th grade)
Kids club meets one Friday of every month 5:00-6:30 p.m. for dinner, games, and a lesson. All are welcome to join.
Vacation Bible School (One week in August)
Open to all Preschoolers–6th graders. A week exploring different Bible stories, through song, science, games, snacks, and crafts!
Pie Bake for Open Door
The pie bake is our annual service event for which the people of the congregation donate supplies of apples, pie crusts, pie tins, etc. to the teens who assemble and bake about 40 pies that are donated to the Open Door. The event is held the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
Winter Retreat
Every winter our teens and leaders get away from the busyness of life and head to Monadnock Christian Ministries. Monadnock is a place for the teens to “discover where Christ’s story meets your story.” We gather with churches from other denominations in New England.
Confirmation
Confirmation class is available for our ninth through twelfth grade students who want to take the next step in their faith and become members of our congregation. Confirmation involves study about the UCC and our church history, the Bible, and time with a mentor to explore their experiences and stories together. Mentors’ relationships with their mentees are crucial to their faith journeys into adulthood. Most mentor/mentee relationships last a lifetime.
Young Adult Formation
Our young adult formation is for all post high school, college students, and college graduates (18+). We meet monthly as a group via Zoom to check-in with each other and discuss how God has been at work in our lives.
Intergenerational Formation
The Old Sloop intergenerational ministry focuses on connecting multiple generations in faith-forming relationships cultivated through times of corporate worship, intentional discipleship, and ongoing mentorship.
Intergenerational Worship
Intergenerational ministry is much more than a Sunday morning experience. At its heart is a focus on generational discipleship and experiencing our faith together as a community. We worship Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., and our services are live streamed on Facebook and YouTube.
Boston Common Cathedral
Common Cathedral is an outdoor church located on Boston Common for people experiencing homelessness and their friends. Once a year our students and adults prepare and distribute sandwiches, fruit, and snacks to the homeless community.