Children & Teens
Come join the fun!
Sundays & Kids
Families of all sizes, shapes, and hues are welcome and cherished at Old South. During the school year, we start worship as an intergenerational community and then, after a “Time with the Children,” we invite children and teens to attend Sunday School classes. Throughout the school year, Old South kids and teens serve our community through vibrant mission projects. Do you offer childcare for infants and toddlers? Loving and tender care for infants and toddlers is provided by our nursery supervisor, Emma Stinson, on Sundays from 9:15 am - 11:00 am, during the school year. During the summer, parents and guardians are welcome to use the nursery room. A changing table is available for your use. May I keep my child in worship? Yes! As Jesus said, "Let the children come." We understand that pews are sometimes difficult for nursing moms or squirmy bodies, so a special area with rocking chairs is available in the sanctuary. Toddler activity bags with board books, crayons and coloring pages are available at the entrance to the sanctuary.
Fun & Learning
Sunday School: Pre-K through 6th grade We use a variety of activities and curricula to keep our Sunday School lessons engaging and educational. We sometimes create video segments of “Old South TV News,” in which the students craft scripts and props to convey Biblical stories in a fresh way. See recent “TV News” video segments here: Teen Discussion Classes At Old South, our priority is exploration, not indoctrination. Our teen discussions, for students in grades 7 through 12, thoughtfully reflect on Biblical passages to help us understand what it means to follow Jesus. Our most recent discussion series was entitled, “Did Jesus Really Say That?!?”, and addressed how we can approach difficult verses, trusting in the Bible’s overarching message of God’s universal Love. Confirmation Approximately every three years, Old South offers Confirmation for high school students. This program guides young people in exploring their faith, learning what it means to be part of a spiritual community, and deciding whether following the path of Jesus is right for them. Adult sponsors accompany each student in this journey of faith. Acolytes Each Sunday, a young person begins our service by bringing the Christ light into the sanctuary. Children in 3rd through 5th grade are welcome to help in this very special role.
Kid-Powered Mission Work
The Pancakery Cafe Coat & Cupboard
& More
The Pancakery Cafe On the first Sunday of each month, September - May, Old South children and teens offer a free brunch to the community; they are responsible for everything from making pancakes, filling orders, and waiting on tables to running the commercial-grade dishwasher. This lively program—with a seasonal menu, vibrant oilcloth tablecloths, live music, and much more—draws a crowd of loyal patrons each month as well as new visitors. The Pancakery Cafe serves free brunch (sit-down as well as take-out) from 10:30 to 11:30 am. Coat & Cupboard Old South students in middle and high school maintain a large, welcoming free “store” of warm coats, boots, hats and much more. The students host two big Open House events—one in mid November and a second on Chester Greenwood Day in early December—to welcome hundreds of members of the community and assist them with obtaining the cold-weather items they need. CityReach Mission Trip Our mission trips to Boston's CityReach give our high school youth the opportunity to learn about homelessness from people who have experienced it. During the 20-hour session, participants join CityReach staff in street ministry and offer hospitality, food, and clothing to people living in the streets and shelters of Boston. This is followed by times of sharing and reflection.
Pilgrim Lodge
Pilgrim Lodge, the Maine UCC Conference summer camp and retreat center, offers Christians of all ages opportunities to find spiritual meaning in a rustic setting on Cobbesseecontee Lake.