Confirmation

Confirmation is a very important part a young person’s journey into adult participation in Old North and the UCC.  A thorough knowledge of the Bible, Christian history, and Congregational/UCC beliefs and history is required.  We are preparing this year's eighth grade class for confirmation in May.

Beginning January 2005 seventh grade students must complete a “pre-confirmation class” in order to enter the confirmation class in September.  Regular attendance is required on Sunday mornings.  To prepare all students for the same level of knowledge required for the confirmation class, this year’s seventh graders will spend the next four months learning about the structure, origin and centrality of the Bible.  They will be asked to engage in dialogue about what the passages mean to them, and how we interpret the Scriptures in light of our present conditions.  In addition they will be introduced to Christian history as well as the governance of the local church in the Congregational/UCC tradition.  This year’s seventh graders will enter the confirmation class in September and be confirmed in May 2006.

Habitit for Humanity

Old North’s Youth Group participates in Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that repairs and builds homes for those in need of assistance. Our youth have worked locally and in other areas of the country.

Sunday School

Old North cherishes its children and encourages families to attend our 10 o’clock family service. After the minister’s Moments with Children, the boys and girls are dismissed to attend Sunday School. Our School has a well thought out and constructed curriculum. Families enjoy coffee and juice in the Parish Hall at the end of the service and the classroom time.

Christmas Pagent

The boys and girls of Old North put on a live Pageant during a Sunday service in December. Angels, shepards, wise men, animals, and the Holy Family all portray the first Christmas amidst joyful music and bell ringing.

Heifer Project

During Advent our children collect quarters and hold bake sales to benefit the Heifer Project. Throughout the year parishoners deposit quarters in a large tube in the narthex. Once the tube is filled with $120 worth of quarters, the children send the money to Heifer International. Proceeds are used to purchase a young cow or poultry for a family in an economically deprived country. The animals provide milk or eggs for the families; their off-springs are given to other families; and the families learn agricultural techniques.

Youth Choirs – Cecelia and Parrish

Old North has a vibrant youth choir program, with two choirs for children with about 60 boys and girls in all! Our rehearsals are on Wednesdays throughout the school year. Children sing every other month in church, presenting a musical offering to the congregation to enhance worship for everyone. In choir we learn about music, good singing habits, and we explore the texts we sing about to get a better understanding of the faith we practice. Most of all we focus on teamwork and FUN! We always leave time in rehearsal for the notorious "silly songs" and for some fellowship time with juice and games. The singers often say their favorite thing about choir is singing with FRIENDS.

Cecelia Choir - For Children in Grades 1-3.

Parrish Singers - For Children in grades 4-8

The Old North Church Festival Youth Chorus

The Festival Youth Chorus are open to ALL young singers in Marblehead in grades 4-8 and 9-12. (Tell your friends now!) We rehearse for 8 weeks in October and November in preparation for the gala concert during Marblehead’s Christmas Walk Weekend. We sing challenging, beautiful music and are an important part of the overall concert which features a 100-voice adult choir performing major choral works with soloists and an orchestra. The second performance is professionally recorded and you may purchase CD’s after the concert! Our two months of rehearsal feature a blast of quality musical practice, growing friendships and a chance to participate in an all-town tradition that has brought Marbleheaders together for over 25 years!

Usually most of our Parrish Singers participate in Festival, joined by many other children from the community. However, Parrish rehearsals do continue throughout this time, rehearsing music to be sung in church.

Festival Youth Chorus Cost: $15 per child

For more info about youth choirs, please call Becca Kenneally at 781 631-1244 x306, or email beccakenneally@comcast.net. Watch for registration information this Spring!