Children, Youth & Families

However you define family, you are welcome to join ours.

At First Church Brooklyn, space is created for children, youth, and families to discover and deepen faith in creative, playful ways. We work together to know God, love God, and serve God.

The guiding values of the CYF ministry at First Church Brooklyn are Community, Family, and Education/Formation. Through engaging and interdisciplinary programs for all ages, First Church Brooklyn strives to:

  • Foster community and build relationships across cultural and generational lines
  • Empower parents to create space for spiritual growth at church and at home
  • Provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn spiritual practices, wrestle
    with big questions, and understand their identities as children of God

First Steps in Faith

The First Steps in Faith Nursery is committed to providing a playful and nurturing, faith-based environment for infants and children up to 4 years of age. Using music, art, and storytelling, the youngest members of our faith community learn the foundational belief of our Christian faith: I am loved.

The Nursery is currently closed, and will re-open in 2022.

Kids Time

Sundays 10:30am-11:00am

First Church Brooklyn’s children’s ministry offers an engaging, creative, interactive approach to faith. We support families in continuing the conversation at home with easy to use tools and building blocks that support a young person’s faith.

Kids Time is currently meeting masked, in-person in the Outdoor Classroom, located in the playground area (weather permitting). For more information and to register, email Rebecca Stevens-Walter, Minister for Intergenerational Culture and Children, Youth & Families.

Kids Church is offered late October through late June.

Youth Groups

Junior Youth Group (recommended for ages 11-14)
1st Friday of the month – dinner provided

Senior Youth Group (recommended for ages 14-18)
1st Friday and 1st Sunday of the month – breakfast provided on Sunday

Pre-teens and teenagers are invited to talk about the Bible and their lives together with Rebecca and First Church Brooklyn’s energetic and knowledgeable young adult volunteers. Kids are invited to participate in additional service projects, social outings, and retreats during the year.

Youth Groups are offered October through June.

Intergenerational Worship

When children and adults worship together, children learn that church is part of a person’s spiritual health and formation. Using story, song, and prayer, First Church Brooklyn engages in intentionally intergenerational worship specifically designed for the accessibility and enrichment of all ages. These worship opportunities take place throughout the year and are created in collaboration with the worship and the arts team. For more information on the concept of intergenerational worship, please visit Rebecca’s website.

Youth Choir

Sundays 10am-10:30am

Our youth choir welcomes a great diversity of young people and sends them out with a message of love, peace, and joy. The choir is an embodiment of our radical welcome and commitment to be a faith community that has room for all at the table. All choir members must be able to read and have an interest in singing. For more information, including how to join, contact our director, Victoria Goff.

Retreats

Our Annual Family Retreat is held in the spring. Check the calendar for details.

To Learn More

If you have questions about our ministry for children, youth, and families, email Rebecca Stevens-Walter, Minister for Intergenerational Culture and Children, Youth & Families.

Volunteer

If you are interested in volunteering as an adult teacher or chaperone, email Rebecca Stevens-Walter, Minister for Intergenerational Culture and Children, Youth & Families. All adult volunteers are required to undergo a background check and attend a brief consent and boundaries training.