We know what rewarding but hard work it is to raise children, especially if you are far from your extended family. We have a number of programs geared to supporting and celebrating families at First Church.

Nursery and Sunday School

The clean, bright nursery is staffed with our professional caregiver and a volunteer every Sunday of the year for children ages 0-3. Sunday school happens nearly every Sunday year-round, during the worship hour at 10a. Our 3-6 year olds love to go to Godly Play, an imagination-based model of religious education incorporating Montessori methods into learning the Bible’s stories. Our 7-11 year olds enjoy a peace-based Mennonite curriculum and lots of active play and artmaking.

Once a month, children ages 3 and up are invited to spend the worship hour with their families in the sanctuary for Jubilee Worship, a multigenerational, sensory worship experience.

Safe Church

We have a Safe Church policy in place to protect our children, including a CORI background check and training for all church school volunteers and staff, and a two-adult rule for those working with children.

Parents’ Night Out

Every month without fail, parents are invited to leave their children at church for games and dinner while they take some much-needed time for themselves, free of charge. First Church parents take turns running this event, which the kids love and have dubbed “Kids’ Night In”!

Pride and Honk! Parades

Our neighborhood parades are wonderful opportunities to teach kids about tolerance, diversity, and their own power in shaping cultural and moral values. At Pride in June, we march as a church, proud to walk with our LGBT families and singles in support of civil rights and as a testimony of God’s love for all people. At Honk! In October, a local Somerville street festival, we testify to the value of taking back the streets for horns, bikes, and feet!

Volunteering with children

First Church offers various opportunities throughout the year to volunteer alongside your children and model the importance of caring for those Jesus called “the least of these.” From selling paper jewelry to support Ugandan mothers, to cooking for the homeless, to seasonal projects partnering with the Casa San Jose orphanage, we invite children deep into our justice work.

Children’s Choir

Our children ages 5+ sing throughout the year in Sunday morning worship:  everything from folk to world music, drumming and percussion instruments. We love the joyful noise they make.

Seasonal Events

At Christmastime, the Holy Family takes center stage when we travel to Heifer Project International’s “Living Nativity” on a farm in central MA. In spring, we grow vegetables on our front lawn for the local food pantry. On Palm Sunday, we sing our way into Davis Square, marching behind a donkey, to pray for our city. In summer, we play at the beach, go to church camp together or have impromptu urban campfire singalongs. First Church offers many ways for families to learn, play and worship together.