Communion is one of the sacraments of the church.
It is a special time when Christians share bread and wine (or grape juice) together and remember Jesus. During the last meal that Jesus had with his friends before the crucifixion, he took a loaf of bread and a cup of wine and shared it with them. Jesus asked his friends to remember him everytime they shared bread and drank wine together. And we, as followers of Jesus, still do that today.
This sacrament is known by different names in different churches:
Holy Communion — the word “communion” means a close relationship; sharing the bread and wine or grape juice is something that we do together in community
The Eucharist — “Eucharist” is a Greek word meaning “thanksgiving”; we give thanks to God for God’s great gift of new life through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection
The Lord’s Supper — this is the Christian family meal; we remember that during Jesus’ last supper with his disciples he said, “Do this in remembrance of me."
In the sacrament of Communion, the church acts out the drama of God’s love for humankind. God’s grace comes to us through things we can see and touch and taste. In Communion, God comes to us in the bread and the wine (sometimes called “elements”), symbols that we can touch and taste. We bring to the table bread and wine, which represent our daily life and work. We receive back again the bread and wine, now transformed by God’s Spirit into symbols of God’s love and grace.
For centuries, churches in the western world restricted Communion to those who could “understand” it. In Orthodox churches, on the other hand, children are part of this table fellowship from birth.
Churches today vary greatly in their practices around who participates in the sacrament of Communion. For some congregations, only those who are members of the church can participate. For other congregations, all who are baptized are welcome to share in this sacrament. And for other congregations, all who are present in worship are welcomed at the table.
There are also many different ways that Communion is served. In some churches people go to the front of the church to receive the elements. In other churches the elements are passed among the people. In some churches the priest or minister serves the elements. In other churches members of the congregation, sometimes including children, serve the elements.
Experience has shown that young children can grasp the truth that is enacted in the sacrament of Communion.
At Payson Park Church, children join the congregation periodically throughout the year for Communion.

Our Church School uses the Workshop Rotation Model.  This model celebrates our children as it understands that children have a variety of talents, interests and abilities.   The curriculum’s Bible story lessons are presented in 4-6 week units with children rotating to different workshops each Sunday. Each workshop will involve children in different learning activities, which might include storytelling, drama and puppetry, cooking, arts and crafts, science, videos and more.  All workshops give children hands-on participation that enhances their learning potential. Most importantly, a child’s ability to understand and retain the stories of the Bible and their meaning are greatly increased. We have found as a teacher in God’s Garden you have the wonderful opportunity to offer your energy, abilities and gifts in the ministry of children, to instruct the children in a creative, loving manner that will lead to spiritual growth. We offer up to 7 workshop choices which invite teachers to match their interests or talents to the passing of faith.  Teachers are assigned to one workshop for the unit, teaching the same lesson for that unit to each of the two classes. We have more workshops than classes, you will teach only the two classes with some Sundays off during that particular unit, while the children rotate through the other workshops. As different grades rotate through the workshops, teachers make age appropriate adjustments to their lessons using suggestions from the curriculum, as well as changes based on their experiences from previous weeks and from the teacher training available.

 

 

We celebrate our children. We understand that children have a variety of talents, interests and abilities. That’s why our Children’s Ministry incorporated a new approach to Church School. It is called The Workshop Rotation (WRM); the new and exciting educational approach that promotes the development of multiple intelligence and spiritual gifts and equips the children for ministry. It has been recognized that children learn best when all their senses are stimulated and they are busy enjoying their studies and connecting them to real life.

For our elementary and middle school children we use the curriculum from Potter’s Workshops; Bible story lessons are presented in four-six week units with children rotating to different workshops each Sunday. Each workshop will involve children in different learning activities, which might include storytelling, drama and puppetry, games, cooking, arts and crafts, science, videos and more. We have created rooms that move the hearts and minds by designing “themed” rooms for multiple intelligence learning. All workshops give children hands-on participation that enhances their learning potential. Most importantly, a child’s ability to understand and retain the stories of the Bible and their meaning are greatly increased.  Why does this rotation model work? We repeat the Biblical Stories over a series of four-six weeks so that the children experience the same story through different modalities over a short period of time. Reminding ourselves of the percentages for retaining information, we can understand how the rotational model helps faith development. We retain:

• 10% of what we read
• 20% of what we hear
• 30% of what we see
• 50% of what we see and hear
• 70% of what we say
• 90% of what we say and do
• 100% of what we experience

 

Children may register throughout the year with the Director of Christian Education. Registration provides the faculty with information about the child and the family that will make the child’s Church School experience as meaningful as possible. During church school volunteer teachers and personnel instruct and supervise the children under the guidance of the Christian Education Director. The teachers are responsible for their students from the time they arrive for Church School until the worship service ends. After Sunday School parents are responsible for their children. Refreshments are provided for adults and youth after the worship service during the Fellowship/Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall. The Church provides no supervision during this fellowship time. Because God’s Garden shares space with Kidspace and The Payson Park Nursery School (Monday-Friday) parents must be with their child if they play in a classroom after Church School ends.

Church School meets every Sunday morning from Labor Day until the end of June. Children enter with their parents or guardians into the sanctuary at 10:30AM and then are dismissed to God’s Garden, Growing in Faith after the Children’s Message or Moment.  Children are always welcome to spend the entire time in worship service with the adults, and are invited to take part in the Communion service if their parents desire.   A typical Sunday schedule for a child includes:

• Spending about 10-15 minutes in the Sanctuary for the Church Worship Service, then to be dismissed to the Chapel and Church School with the director, teachers and shepherds
• Participating in Children’s Worship Time in the Chapel, ranging from 5-10 minutes, including an Acolyte time, review of unit’s lesson, offertory collection, and announcements
• Attending age-grouped church school for about 25 minutes
• Spiritual Journal entries
• Joining parents at Fellowship/Coffee Hour after classes and the worship service
• Attend Children’s Choir rehearsal

 

Children are the future of the church.  Children participate in religious celebrations throughout the church calendar year, including the weekly Sunday Children’s Message and the Children’s Musical Offering during regular worship and in special events.

Music too plays an important part in our children’s expression of faith. Participation in the Children’s Choir is one way the children are engaged in worship. The songs they learn are sung approximately once a month from October to June.

Other special events featuring children’s participation:

• Sunday Greeters and Acolytes
• Donating gifts and talents when contributions are made to our church outreach programs
• Annual “All Saints Day Fall Celebration”
• Lighting of the Advent Candles, when families join in the worship ceremony
• Ash Wednesday Pancake Supper
• Vacation Bible School
  

The children in God’s Garden, Growing in Faith give generously in their weekly offering collection. They give to help end world hunger. They give to Heifer International. The offertory envelopes are provided at registration time. The Heifer organization believes and is dedicated to ending hunger. They have helped millions of poor family’s worldwide move towards self-reliance through the gift of livestock and training, from honeybees to water buffalo. Heifer also believes in another very important part of their work. This is educating the public! Heifer operates three learning centers where you can go for hands-on hunger education. All centers offer guided tours, mission opportunities and a chance to interact with Heifer animals.

PAYSON PARK SUNDAY NURSERY

Nursery care for infants, from birth to two years of age is provided every Sunday from Septmeber through June, 10:00 to Noon under the supervision of an experienced and qualified staff member.  The church nursery is located on the second floor, directly left, off the elevator and provides a Christian environment as well as a joyful safe space.

Payson Park Nursery School

Are you looking for a nursery school program for your child? Do you have neighbors or friends who are making plans for their young children for the fall? The Payson Park Church Nursery School is currently accepting applications for enrolment in September. Scheduling is flexible, and discounts are available for Church members. Please call Janet Coleman, Nursery School Director, for more information (617/489-4824) or email at nurserydirector@paysonpark.org

Payson Park has youths who have been attending Camp Calumet for years and that is the camp they recommend! Camp Calumet, on the northern shore of Lake Ossipee, at the edge of New Hampshire’s magnificent Mount Washington Valley, Calumet is the camp! Throughout the entire year, Calumet hosts thousands and thousands of folks of all ages, from all backgrounds and all walks of life
But Summer At Calumet? Summer is the most exciting time of the year to be at Calumet! Whether it’s the Summer Camp for Kids or the Family & Adult Camp, the Thidemann girls recommend you check it out.
www.calumet.org

Are you considering summer camp for your Jr. High child? How about a Christian Camp located right here in the heart of New England. Grotonwood is one of the finest Christian retreat and conference facilities in Central Massachusetts. At the heart of their 300 wooded acres you can find a mile of shoreline on beautiful Lost Lake, delicious "home-cooked" food, and hospitality by their caring staff. Grotonwood offers 29 sessions of summer camp for youth. Campers live in cabins throughout the camp. They are under direct supervision of trained and caring camp counselors. Their day begins with worship in song and a message in the chapel and ends with vespers or devotions. The enthusiastic summer camp resource staff directs activities, recreation, crafts, and music. Certified lifeguards make the waterfront program very fun and exciting. A resident nurse is on staff at summer camp for sickness and emergencies. Cindy Lou & her children; Aby & Robert have attended Grotonwood for over 10 years. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask us any questions. www.Grotonwood.org.

An Offering by our Denomination

Looking for a wonderful get-away for you and your family this summer? It’s not too early to start planning! In early August, the UCC offers a Family Camp at the Craigville Conference Center on the cape. The package includes 17 meals, 6 nights in a historic Inn with all private room accommodations; on site private beach privileges with club house amenities; on site playground and fishing pond; morning programs for children; free time all afternoon and evening program is optional. Morning children and teen program includes skits, singing, and arts & crafts. Evening program includes a movie, kite flying, a band concert, outdoor games and more. A great opportunity for parents who do not want to send a child to sleep away camp without them! The staff organizes all children's activities so adults or grandparents do not have to worry about finding things to do to entertain them and the time you spend together is quality. When was the last time you had time to look at the stars with your child? Busy parents need apply! Contact cedirector@paysonpark.org.

Horton Center – located in the northern White Mountains of NH – is where many of the NH Conference’s Outdoor Ministry programs occur, or start out. In addition to Horton Center other locations are also used, including Geneva Point, the AMC Huts and state parks. This summer we have a full schedule! Programs start for children who have completed Kindergarten (with parents in Big Feet/ Little Feet), up to our High School and Young Adult camps. For older campers our Hut to Hut and Canoe camps offer a once in a lifetime experience of spending time with other Christians in a weeklong trip. At Horton Center, we are surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest, with thousands of acres and miles of hiking trails. Opportunities for rock climbing, caving, and sleeping under the stars are available without leaving the site. For more information please visit www.hortoncenter.org, call Robert Vodra at 603-225-6647 ext 112 or e-mail rvodra@nhcucc.org

Pilgrim Lodge – located on the eastern shore of Lake Cobbosseecontee in West Gardiner, Maine– is a ministry of the Maine Conference, UCC. Just two hours over the New Hampshire border on I-95, Pilgrim Lodge (PL) offers week-long sessions for 3rd graders through senior high school students as well as weekend events for adults. Our mission and philosophy (please see the website) involve the healing power of nature and community. With high quality program, an experience at PL will strengthen faith development in an unbelievably gorgeous setting. Children and adults return charged and inspired. And we have a whole lot of fun. Maine is known for its summer camps and PL is a gem! Build lifelong memories with us. Pilgrim Lodge is accredited by the American Camp Association. To view a free video and more information visit us at www.pilgrimlodge.org or call (207) 724-3200.

Silver Lake – located in Sharon, CT – is a ministry of the Connecticut Conference, UCC. For over 50 years, Silver Lake has been claimed as the "Spiritual Home" for thousands of young people, ages 8-18 each summer for a week of Outdoor Ministry church camp. We welcome UCC and other denominations' children to experience the best week of their summer, with dedicated, trained, enthusiastic lay and clergy leadership and in-cabin counselors and summer staff. We offer amazing community-building, spirit-stretching, high and low ropes adventure and team-building 'mountaintop' experiences, swimming, singing, worshipping, campfires, friend-making, ceramics, nature, arts and crafts, hiking and so much more. Each conference has a different program theme, from creative expression (think Biblical High School Musical), through sports, radio show, wilderness exploration to being God's Heroes. Check out offerings for all ages, including one for Moms and 4th graders, at www.silverlakect.org. Instant, online registration! Most camps are $410. For the week.

Covenant Hills Christian Camp – located in Cabot, VT – is owned by the United Methodist Church and is jointly programmed by the United Methodists and the Vermont Conference, UCC. Does spending a week swimming, playing games, hiking, canoeing, making crafts, learning about God, singing songs, eating smores and much more sound like a lot fun? If yes, then join us this summer! Covenant Hills offers a wide variety of specialty camps for children in second grade through twelfth most of them being week long over night camps. Camps this summer include: soccer camp, just camp, great outdoors for boys, ultimate plus, up the coast, music, arts and drama camp, rock band camp, soulfest and many more. Please visit www.covenanthillsvt.com for a full camp schedule, descriptions of all the camps we offer and registration forms or contact us at chccdirector@gmail.com to receive more information about camp. Covenant Hills is accredited by the American Camp Association. We look forward to seeing you at camp this summer!

Star Island –located off the coast of Portsmouth, New Hampshire – is a site for ministry of the New Hampshire Conference, UCC during the Star Gathering conference weeks. It is also host to the Laity Conference (UCC) over Labor Day weekend. Offering programming for all ages – babies thru older adults as well as a concurrent Youth Conference for those entering 9th grade in fall of 2010 through 2010 hs graduates, the Star Gathering weeks are filled with chapel services, Bible Study, programming for adults and children, as well as the opportunity to see amazing sunsets, sit in a rocking chair, play softball, and more! General Star Island info can be found here: www.starisland.org , information specific to the Star Gathering Conferences, including the Youth Conference can be found here www.starisucc.com

Irons Homestead, RI. Site of the Rhode Island Conference of the United Church of Christ outdoor ministries program.

Geneva Point Center, NH. An independent Camp and Conference Center, offers a variety of camping experiences in partnership with other groups.