Confirmation Confirmation is an important and ancient rite of passage in the Christian life of faith. It is a time when our young teens begin to own their faith and make their own commitment to Christ and to the Church. Through the year, confirmands will study basic Christian themes, history and practice. The word confirm means to “make firmer and stronger,” and that is what we hope will happen in our confirmands’ faith through this process undertaken with their peers and supported by adult sponsors. The class takes place from 10:15-11:35 in Plymouth Hall. There will be discussions and activities, service projects, field trips, and reflection to guide our formation as Christians. If you have questions, or want to get involved, please contact Mike Tilden at
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or (708)246-1900 x232.The Rite of Confirmation will take place on Sunday, May 2. Here is how the morning will progress:9:00 – Breakfast for the confirmands and their parents will be served by our Diaconate Board in Plymouth Hall. Please be prompt! Due to the numbers involved, siblings and relatives cannot be included. Communion will be served and a gift from the congregation commemorating their confirmation will be given to the youth at this time. Please communicate to Mary Jo (
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) how many people will be attending the breakfast by Friday, April 23. 10:30 – The Rite of Confirmation will occur.The Rite of Confirmation consists of an ancient Christian ritual of laying on of hands. The confirmands will be seated separately as a class in the front of the sanctuary. Each confirmand will be called forward and will kneel (on a kneeler!) before the altar. All family members and relatives are invited to come forward to place their hands on the confirmand as a blessing. A Biblical passage is then read. You will undoubtedly find it to be a very powerful experience. It is asked that the confirmand’s full name be furnished to the church office via email to
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by April 26. This name will appear on the Certificate of Membership and on the official church records. As a staff, we value the sacredness of worship. We request that all photography and video recording take place only prior to the 10:30 service or immediately following. Your cooperation is appreciated. We look forward to sharing this morning with you.Some have asked: Suggested attire for boys: dress pants, shirt & tie. For girls: dress pants or skirt and blouse or dress (be mindful of the length of the dress, when kneeling down in front of the church the length can become important) CONFIRMATION DOWNLOADS
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2010 Summer Film Series The Adult Ed Committee is pleased to present a Summer Film Series on the subject of Forgiveness. Church member and recent University of Chicago film studies graduate, Nick Fraccaro has created the program for us. Please join us for any and all of the following screenings, which will be held at 7pm in the Seim Room: Wed, July 14 -- StevieWed, July 28 -- The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On Wed, August 4 -- Protagonist Wed, August 18 -- Paranoid Park
CHECK BACK IN SEPTEMBER TO LEARN ABOUT OUR FALL/WINTER SUNDAY MORNING LINE UP.Click on the graphic below to see the latest issue of Mindbenders (Winter 2010). Click Here to View/Download the Winter/Spring Mindbenders brochure! 
Adult Education seminars are offered September through May. Seminars focus on the intersection of Christian Faith and Culture. ‘Culture’ embraces many subjects including theology, church history, Bible study, arts, politics, world religions, and personal growth. The seminars are led by our ministers and lay people, field professionals and faculty from Chicago area colleges and universities. The goal of the Adult Education Committee is to provide a forum for enrichment and discussion within a given topic. The format for seminars varies from lecture to video series, power point presentations to theater. Time is always available for discussion. Childcare is provided during the Sunday morning Adult Ed hour in Room 108 for children of all ages.
For more information regarding our adult education classes, call Leslie Ritter-Jenkins at ext. 220. Small Groups click here to view the Small Group Offerings Including: Compassionate Communication Living the Questions Wisdom Women Companions in Christ Men's Book and Bible Study Women's Thursday Book Group
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Christian Education MinistryThe First Congregational Church of Western Springs is dedicated to the faith development of its members. From planting the seeds of faith in the hearts and minds of our children, to nurturing the faith of adult members, our Christian Education programs attempt to serve each member’s faith journey. Child and infant care is available throughout the morning in Room 108. At age 2, our children begin to attend Sunday School and continue through the high school freshman Confirmation program. Sunday morning lessons, based on the Live Big curriculum, are supplemented during the year with speakers who provide presentations regarding the children’s outreach projects and with themed family worship opportunities. Devotional materials are provided to families during Advent and Lent to help enhance understanding of these periods of preparation and waiting.  |
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Sunday school teacher recruitment is currently underway. Please consider joining a team of teachers to teach Sunday school during the 2009-2010 program year and/or over the summer. Sunday school is a vital ministry of the church, and teachers are always suprised and blessed by the experience.  Ages 2 through Grade 7 Classes for children up through Grade 7 are held during the 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. worships following the first portion of the service. This portion includes a special First Steps, when younger children in the congregation come forward to sit on the chancel steps and hear a message just for them. Instruction for children two years old through 7th grade utilizes a team teaching approach with lay leaders. Fourth graders participate in a special unit examining the Bible prior to receiving their personal copy as a gift from the congregation. During the summer (June-August) children are offered the opportunity to remain in worship or attend Sunday School following a portion of the service. Multi-aged classes are offered. Sunday morning lessons, based on the Live Big curriculum, are supplemented during the year with speakers who provide presentations regarding the children’s outreach projects and with themed family worship opportunities. Devotional materials are provided to families during Advent and Lent to help enhance understanding of these periods of preparation and waiting.
To learn more about teaching Sunday school, contact Jan Fraccaro at
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. Help is always need and appreciated. Click to View more Sunday School Pictures Click Here to Download the Sunday School Child Profile Form
Children’s Christian Education ContactJan Fraccaro, 708/246-1900, ext. 215
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Christian Education 