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. Everyone is invited to 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 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

Nursery and Child care

The nursery is open every Sunday. It is located upstairs to the right, just before the entrance to the Elliot Room. Parents and caregivers can expect to find diapers, wipes, a changing table, and a nursery glider. There is also a changing table in the bathroom located on the first floor at the end of the long hallway.

First Church is committed to providing a safe, playful, and nurturing environment for infants and children up to 5 years of age. Child care providers undergo a background check and are trained in safe church policies, First Aid/CPR, and gentle caregiving practices. In addition, child care providers are interactive and engaging with our little ones.  At 10:00am, babies, toddlers, and children participate in the intergenerational faith formation program described below.

Formation Station

Sundays 10:00am-10:55am

First Church Brooklyn’s intergenerational ministry offers an engaging, creative, interactive approach to faith. Formation Station is an opportunity for people of all ages to sing, pray, be creative, move, and learn together for an interactive sing-along (you can make requests!) followed by Scripture exploration and “stations” where folks are invited to create art, movement, discussion, and writing all in response to the day’s Scripture text. At the end of Formation Station, we gather in a circle for prayer and closing dance.

Formation Station is intended to be accessible and accommodating of people experiencing an array of circumstances and identities – ability, gender and gender expression, racial and ethnic background, and body size.

For more information, email Rebecca Stevens-Walter, Minister for Intergenerational Culture and Children, Youth & Families.

Formation Station is offered late October through late June.

Youth Groups

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.

Confirmation is offered in years where there is a critical mass of kids ages 11-14.

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.

Retreats

Our Annual Family Retreat is held in early summer. 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, CYF committee member, 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.