Children & Youth

We seek to support parents in the nurturing of children and youth in their faith. We believe that parents are the primary faith providers for their children. In today’s busy and complicated world, we welcome all when they can participate.

We believe that children and youth are active participants of our faith community and welcome and encourage their participation in the life of this community. We believe we all learn from each other and each person present is a gift to our faith community.

We believe that it is important to provide opportunities for children and youth to have their own time for faith formation.

Sunday Mornings

Children participate in the first part of worship service with their families and enjoy a special “Time for Children” during worship, then may choose to attend children’s classes based on age.

Younger Children

Younger elementary children use Godly Play (a Montessori-based curriculum) that allows children to experience Bible stories in a hands-on manner and to have the space to listen to God.

Older Children

Older elementary children gather and use “Growing in God’s Love” which covers many of the Bible stories, key people from the Bible and biblical themes. The lessons create opportunities for the children to be filled with wonder and learn together in imaginative, collaborative, and relational ways.

Youth

Can serve as assistants during the Sunday morning children's class or stay for the worship service

Meet monthly with Immanuel Presbyterian Church youth for service and recreation

Join youth from other Anchorage churches in an annual Martin Luther King Jr community service retreat

Participate in conferences like the Presbyterian Youth Triennium

Special Events and Activities

Vacation Bible School and J.O.Y. Camp are offered in early June each year. Children ages five through 6th grade meet for a morning Vacation Bible School and an extended afternoon J.O.Y. Camp. Youth serve as “youth leaders” for the VBS. The VBS is led by volunteers of our church and open to all children in our community.

Children and youth help lead the Christmas Eve worship service with the annual Christmas Pageant.

Safety and Volunteers

At First Presbyterian Church of Anchorage we believe that the safety of children and youth who participate in our programs begins with the education of the adults of the church; both paid and volunteer. Therefore, we offer education and training in standards and practices of appropriate behavior with children and youth to staff and volunteers.

We covenant each year before God that we will provide a safe and loving place for children and our youth where the integrity of all relationships will be preserved. This entails establishing safe practices, such as team teaching, constant supervision, well defined job descriptions, and ready access to program supervisors, ministry team members, and the elders responsible for children and youth programs. Safe practice also means screening all adults who work with children and youth. We also have clearly defined procedures for reporting a suspected incident of abuse that conforms to the requirements of state law; and will be prepared to respond to media inquiries if an incident occurs.

The First Presbyterian Church Keeping the Church Safe for Children and Youth policy is reviewed and updated at a minimum every three years. The policy applies to all employees and volunteers of FPC who work with children and youth. The purpose of the policy and accompanying procedures is to demonstrate our absolute and unwavering commitment to assure the physical and emotional safety and spiritual growth of all children and youth attending First Presbyterian Church of Anchorage. Our intent is to protect children and youth in all church programs, to educate workers and caregivers concerning pertinent issues, and to protect staff, volunteers, and the church itself from potential allegations of abuse and neglect.

The policy is in effect anytime a program is offered at FPC whether the program is in the building, off-site or virtual. Please contact our front office if you would like to see a copy of the full policy.