First Congregational Church of Madison, CT

Employment Opportunity

The First Congregational Church of Madison seeks a Director of Children and Youth Ministry, 20-25 hrs/wk. Responsible for organizing and planning educational programs and activities for children and youth, ages 3-14. Christian education programming background preferred. Energy, passion and enthusiasm, backed by a strong faith in addition to teaching and creative thinking skills important for this position. Salary range $26,000- $32,500, depending on education and experience. Send resume and references to First Congregational Church of Christ, 12 Meetinghouse Lane, Madison, CT 06443 Attn: Personnel or e-mail mclarktill@aol.com, by May 30, 2008.

Junior Youth Group

Anyone in 5th through 8th grade is invited to join. 8th graders who are also part of the mission trips can also be a part of JYG.

We are creating a youth database!! Please see us in Hubley Hall to verify your child's/children's information (grade, DOB, address, phone, email). Also, look for our Youth Bulletin Board in Hubley Hall for notices and sign-ups for upcoming events.

Children's Sunday

We are looking for any children interested in leading prayers or completing readings during the Children's Sunday worship service on June 8th. Please email lynlunn@sbcglobal.net if you child is interested. We need you!

Mission Trip News

A number of our youth, nearly 30 in all, accompanied by several adults, are preparing to go on two mission trips in June and July. Here is some information on the destinations.

Village Mountain Mission, Dominican Republic: This trip will be held from June 23 to July 1. We will be going to the mountain villages of Puerto Plato province, where the wealthy never go, tourists are rare, and the need is great. Our goal is to repair or replace the home of a poor, sick, or elderly family who physically, financially or otherwise cannot do so themselves. The family will be left with a home that is cool, dry and secure. Check out their web site @ www.villagemountainmission.org.

H.O.M.E., Orland, Maine: This trip will be held from July 20 to July 26. Run by two energetic Sisters, H.O.M.E. (Homeworkers Organized for More Employment) has completed 52 houses for low income families. In addition, they provide employment and job training, day care, GED preparation, shelter, food, and so much more for those in need. For 38 years, they have welcomed the stranger and the homeless. Our group will work wherever they are needed for the week. You pass right by H.O.M.E. on your way to Bar Harbor, Maine. Stop in their gift store and take a look. Check out their web site @ www.homecoop.net.

Confirmation

High school students!! Many churches have a tradition of a Confirmation ceremony through which youth join the church. You may have been present at one of those services and you know how meaningful they are. We would like to extend an invitation to you to consider this opportunity to join the First Congregational Church of Madison.

If you would like to be included in the next Confirmation ceremony, along with other activities to be announced, you will need to . .

1) Be part of the Senior High Youth Group - The youth group is planning a program of meetings, fun events and service projects that will keep you involved in the church and help you get to know the other youth of the church. Currently, these meetings take place on Sunday evenings (dinner usually included). To know when and where they happen, leave your e-mail address with the church office.

2) Come to worship on Sunday mornings. You will be promising to make this a habit. You will also plan and participate in Sunday morning worship services.

3) Participate in at least one mission project sponsored by the youth group.

4) Write a statement of faith that includes the following:

What you believe about God. What you believe about Jesus Christ. What you believe about the Holy Spirit. What you believe about the church.

5) Attend a brief series of meetings designed to help you understand our particular church and the United Church of Christ.

During the next few weeks, we will be compiling a list of students who have expressed an interest in joining the church through Confirmation. Currently, the Confirmation ceremony will probably take place in September/October 2008.