United Parish of Upton | Upton, Massachusetts

The United Parish offers Christian Education programs for all ages. Come and join with others who wish to learn, explore and grow together in their faith journeys!

Elementary program

Sunday School: Christian Education is an essential part of our Church Family's life. We offer an exciting Sunday morning program for children from infant through 5th grade. Feel free to contact Christian Education Director, Heather O'Toole at heatheratchurch@charter.net or call during office hours of Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9-2 at 508-529-3192

Registration: In order to provide a comprehensive program, we ask that all children, infants through high school, be registered with the Sunday school each year. Registration takes place at coffee hour the first two weekends in September and June, and in the classroom during the school year.

Calendar: The Sunday school calendar is based on major religious and secular holidays, and loosely follows the Mendon-Upton Public school calendar.

Communion Sunday: The United Parish offers the Sacrament of Communion on the first Sunday of the month. Children in sixth grade and up are welcome to partcipate.

Communion Preparation Class: In September, a one hour communion preparation class is offered to any and all persons in the fourth grade and up. While the class is not a requirement to receiving the sacrament, it is a wonderful tool for learning about and understanding why we celebrate the sacrament of communion.

Bible Introduction Class: Third grade students are invited to attend an Introduction to the Bible class. The classes this school session will be held Sunday April 22nd, April 29th, May 6th and May 20th from 8:45 until 9:30am. All children that attend a minimum of three out of four of the classes will be recognized, and presented with a Bible for their personal use, on Children's Sunday.

Children's Education Program : We are presently using an on-line resource called Faith Practices. This resource is loaded with action packed hands-on activities which will encourage children of all ages to live out their faith through music, art, scripture and community.

Infant and toddler care: Care for children age eighteen months and younger begins at 9:30am each Sunday so that parents have time to settle their child before attending worship. Our weekly childcare provider is Shell Huessman. We request that you pick-up your infant promptly after worship and help clean up the area before going to coffee hour.

Pre-K through 5th grade: Elementary age children are invited to worship in the sanctuary with family and friends for the first part of the service. During this time, children experience fellowship and love from the church family in addition to the enjoyment of choir music and the practice of some of the rituals of worship. Children are dismissed to their classrooms, often following a special “Children's Message”.

Children's Church: One Sunday per month, children in grades K - 5th gather together for 20 minutes of "kid friendly" worship filled with music, stories and praise as well as practice of ritual such as lighting the Christ candle, collecting offering and reciting the Doxology and The Lord's Prayer.

Dismissal following Sunday School:Children in the first grade and younger are dismissed only to their parents immediately after the service. Please be prompt so that our teachers may gather their own families to share in the fellowship at coffee hour.

Attendance: Regular attendance at Sunday school helps a child grow in faith and know the love of God from others. Attendance is taken weekly in the classroom. If your child will be absent for an extended period of weeks and you would like to teach the lesson to him/her at home, please see the Director of Christian Education.

Offering: To help the children participate in the church commitment to stewardship, a monetary offering or non-perishable food offering is accepted in the classroom. Please discuss with your children how much of their own money they will donate or spend on a food item.

Sunday School and the Christian Nursery School: While the United Parish Christian Nursery School and the Sunday school program work closely together, they are separate organizations. For information on the United Parish Christian Nursery school, please call 508-529-6382. Church members, especially parents, are asked to take the time each Sunday to see that all nursery school areas are neat before leaving for home.

Christian Resource Library: A Children's Resource Library is in the Vestry. Please encourage children to borrow books and share your faith journey as you read and learn together. There is also an area in this library for youth and adult reading material.

Vacation Bible School and Drama Camp: Join us for a week of celebrating God's Love through music, bible stories, creative crafts, drama and more! Co-leaders Jen Bethel and Sharon Bliss are busy planning this event for Summer 2012. VBS is run completely by volunteers. Please contact Heather O'Toole at heatheratchurch@charter.net if you are interested in this rewarding opportunity to serve.

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