Overview
We all approach life and faith uniquely, so we encourage you to explore the varied opportunities for spiritual growth at FCC. Small groups meet weekly or monthly to learn, fellowship, practice spiritual disciplines, and pursue creative expression. A PDF file highlighting groups meeting in the spring of 2020 may be viewed or downloaded below.
Lifelong Learning and Practice
Over a lifetime–literally from the cradle to the grave–your personal faith can grow and change. Spirituality is awakened during childhood, when the imagination runs free in spaces of awe and wonder, and grows deeper when family members, partners, and friends demonstrate love and create a safe space for each person to learn and grow. First Christian Church seeks to be a partner with families and individuals on the journey.
In a time when many families don’t live near grandparents, aunts and uncles, it’s easy for both children and adults to miss out on relationships with folks outside their age group. And yet research has proven that intergenerational learning can be more effective than peer-group learning. Perhaps nowhere is it easier to rub shoulders with all ages than at church. Seasonal events like our Memorial Day picnic, fall all-church retreat, and winter soup contests encourage all ages to create memories together. Having children participate in our ongoing drive to stock the shelves at Monroe County United Ministries’ self-sufficiency center allows all ages to grow together as servant leaders. Check our special events page for upcoming intergenerational activities.
We want FCC to provide space for every child of God (even parents and grandparents) to feel safe to ask questions and grow. Our staffed nursery is full of age-appropriate toys, books and crafts for infants through age 3. Our Montessori-style children’s worship program, Children Worship & Wonder, is appropriate for most children in preschool or elementary school. For preschoolers through grade 6, we also have classes following worship that allow children to explore the weekly Bible reading through storytelling, activities and crafts.
Church camp has proven to be one of the most meaningful spiritual experiences in the lives of many of young people. The Indiana Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) runs an outdoor ministries program for children as young as kindergarten. Most of our young people choose to attend Bedford Christian Camp, where we also gather for our all-church retreats. At FCC we believe so strongly in the power of church camp, we offer scholarship aid for any family in the congregation who needs it.
The teen years find many young people searching for their true identity and purpose. FCC’s Youth (typically grades 6-12) meet weekly during the learning hour after worship to discuss the worship service or to participate in service activities. They also meet monthly in the evenings for group fellowship & service opportunities. Over Thanksgiving 2018, some of our youth participated in an intergenerational people-to-people pilgrimage to Cuba.
For teens especially, church camp has proven to be one of the most meaningful experiences that help young people find that sense of identity and purpose. The Indiana Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) runs an outdoor ministries program for youth through grade 12. Most of our young people choose to attend Bedford Christian Camp, where we also gather for our all-church retreats. At FCC we believe so strongly in the power of church camp, we offer scholarship aid for any family in the congregation who needs it.
Adulthood can span seven or even eight decades, and our faith is changing throughout all of those years. At First Christian Church we endeavor to provide opportunities for all adults to grow in their faith, wherever they are along the journey. Small groups meeting during the Sunday learning hour or throughout the week provide opportunities for lifelong learners to go deeper into scripture or theological topics, while monthly interest-based groups offer pathways into creative experiences with art, literature and spiritual practice. Due to COVID-19 we now offer many of our groups online through ZOOM. Please, contact Sarah Lynne Gershon at sarahlynne@fccbloomington.org for more information or to receive the zoom link to join one of our small groups and classes.
