Round
Hill
Community Church
Church School
Music
Center for Faith Development
Outreach
Gallery
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The Round Hill Community Church School (for children 3 years of age through
eighth grade) is founded on the belief that children are innately and
joyfully spiritual. The task of education is to nurture their spirituality
because, if it slips away, they can spend a lifetime searching for it.
Our Church School program is designed to nurture spiritual development, familiarity with Bible stories, and offer the children what they need to continue their growth in faith.
Thomas Mahoney is the Director of Children's Ministries and is responsible
for the church's program in Christian education for children from nursery
age through middle school as well as coordinating the children's monthly
outreach and mission endeavors, recruiting childcare for church programs,
and providing leadership for special events throughout the year. Tom is
also the Director of the Office of Special Clinical Services in the Greenwich
Department of Health, where he has served since 1989. A 1981 graduate
of Fordham University's Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education,
he directed the religious education programs for three churches, two of
which are here in Greenwich, and has remained involved in local church
programs, affirming and embracing the role and value of the spiritual
life.
Our topics and lessons are presented in Workshop Cycles. Children work
on the same Bible story or concept for several weeks using different learning
approaches in each workshop. Possible workshops include art, storytelling,
music, cooking, games, drama or puppets, science experiments, and movies.
Cycle classrooms are intended to create an inviting atmosphere where children
are challenged to learn. They are taught by teams of two to three adults,
who are volunteers from our congregation, focusing on one cycle of Bible lessons
or one topic for three to five weeks. The variety of lesson plans helps
to generate interest in a topic and enthusiasm for learning.
Along with the workshops we have four children's services led by and for
the students. They read prayers and scripture, organize and lead the music,
collect the offering, and deliver a closing prayer. A teenager delivers
the sermon. We also have Special Events Sundays, during which we may have
guest speakers to talk about mission activities or other issues.
Faith is a journey, and all grow in the wonder and joy of God's abundant
love and grace. Children are invited to join their parents in the Sanctuary
for the first part of the service and the Children's Moments. After the
Children's Moments they gather all together in the Meeting Room before
going to their respective workshops.
Childcare
Childcare is available for infants and toddlers from 9:45 to 11:15 a.m.,
every Sunday and until noon on Forum Sundays. It is also available with
a pre-reservation for all special events. The childcare room is in the
middle of the Church School wing opposite the main hall doorway. Our childcare
providers engage the little ones in story, play, and art, as well as providing
loving care. Pagers are available for parents.
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