Children & Youth - Cross-Roads of Faith Booklet

† Little Blessings is a ministry for parents with children aged 0 to 3.  They offer:

• Weekly Playdates - A new group begins January 2010.  Check back for updates! 
• Monthly Crafts - Little ones have a great opportunity to get their hands dirty, participate in organized group activity and connect with each other and God. A short story is read to the children that ties in with the crafts.
• Little Blessings Mom’s Club - These moms love to talk about their kids, share ideas and plan activities for Little Blessings participants.  They meet the 2nd Thursday of each month in the church's library at 7:00 pm. Children are welcome and can play in the nursery. Contact Jenny Gustafson at email for more information.

† Sunday School - First Lutheran offers a variety of age-based Christian education for children of all ages at the 8:30 & 10:00 hour on Sunday mornings. Registration Form  and Class Pictures. 

• Preschool classes start with potty-trained children at age 3 ½. Each class has its own teacher and does not participate in the rotational model of Sunday School. 
• Kindergarten - 6th Graders participate in Akaloo - a great Sunday School program that teaches students to "follow Jesus"  More Information These classes include Art, Bible Time, Computer, Drama, Cooking and Science. 
• 56ers combine classes for 5th and 6th graders with special events throughout the year.
• First Kids (all preschoolers through 4th graders) sing at worship services on the third Sunday of the month. 
• All Sunday School grades participate in a Christmas Program and Spring Musical.  See Photos
• Combined Sunday School events offer a multi-generational program and craft time celebrating different events in the church season. 

† FL4K (First Lutheran 4-Year-Old Kindergarten) - serves residents of the Stoughton Area School District who children who will be 4 years old by September  1.  More information (here).

† Vacation Bible Schools – A variety of VBS formats are used thoughout the year. Each summer begins with a morning pre-school VBS program.  Each summer additional VBS programs are offered for the family, older children and even those musically inclined.  Check out upcoming events in the current newsletter. 

† First Communion Class – Instruction for First Communion is usually offered in the spring for fourth graders. Students take their first communion at a worship service on Maundy Thursday evening, just before Easter Sunday. For more information, contact Pastor Sara at 873-7761. 

† Confirmation – First Lutheran offers a Confirmation Ministry that is designed to supplement the Christian education and faith nurturing that parents provide at home. 

• Students begin their Confirmation journey with summer Bible Camp at Lutherdale (Elkhorn, WI) in the summer prior to their 7th grade year.  Check it out at www.lutherdale.org
• During the school year, 7th – 8th Graders attend Classes and Active Learning Nights Wednesday evenings from 6:30 – 7:30 pm.  They also connect to the Here We Stand student website to do their make-up work or just have fun learning about Jesus! 
• 9th Graders participate in a mentoring program that includes connecting with an adult member of First Lutheran to guide them throughout the year.
• Students also fundraise throughout the year, including a Food Stand at the annual Stoughton Syttende Mai celebration, May 15 through 17, 2009. 
• Retreats, Service Projects and Youth Quakes for all grades are also a part of these exciting years! 

† Senior High - Senior High Youth are invited to participate in numerous fellowship activities, including lock-ins, mission trips and triennial ELCA National Youth Gatherings.