Westport Friends Meeting

First Day School

Classes
Our First Day School program has three classes:

• birth to 5-year-olds


• 6- to 11-year-olds


• 12- to 18-year-olds

Meeting Days/Time
Our First Day School students and teachers attend worship from 10 to 10:20 a.m. on the first three Sundays of the month, and then they quietly move to the Community House for First Day School classes. On the fourth Sunday, everyone remains in worship from 10 to 11 a.m.

Curriculum
Our First Day School classes explore age-appropriate values, traditions, and ideas. Our goal is to support each person on his or her spiritual journey. We have general guidelines for First Day School lessons; however, the topics for lessons are based on the young people's interests. Our general guidelines include:

• the study of Quaker faith, practice, and history
  • understanding silent worship
  • understanding worship as a way of discerning the will of God
  • understanding that there is "that of God" in everyone
  • understanding what it means to be a Quaker and developing a Quaker identity
• providing a familiarity with the Bible
• providing opportunities for personal growth, including developing a sense of community
• exploring social concerns in the community and the world

Additional Events
To encourage fellowship among children, the Religious Education Committee sponsors additional events, such as evening get-togethers to enjoy pizza and a movie. Youth also are encouraged to attend Quaker youth retreats. Westport Friends Meeting also provides opportunities for its youth to participate in service projects. These opportunities include preparing luncheons and suppers to earn money for charitable organizations and contributing their time and effort before, during, and after the Meeting‚s annual book sale.