CAMDEN — With the start of the new school year, the First Congregational Church of Camden is commencing its second year of Faith Connections, an “Intergenerational Ministry” model for its faith formation programming with children and youth.

Rather than gathering kids together for traditional classroom instruction on Sunday mornings, the new format brings kids AND adults together for hands-on learning opportunities based on four categories of activities that are run in rotation throughout the school year.

“At Faith Connections we connect with one another, and we make connections between our faith and…the choices we make about the food we eat, our experiences of the natural world we enjoy, the art that inspires us, and the ways we serve one another and serve God,” said First Congregational Church, in a news release.

Faith Connections takes place directly following worship on the second and fourth Sundays each month, between September and June, generally from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.

The Church provided the following fall schedule:

September 10: Breaking Bread. A light meal is prepared together after which a kid-friendly communion liturgy is celebrated. Clean up is also done as a group.

September 24: Service. Participants will work together on a project for Habitat for Humanity. We’ll be putting faith into action from 12 to 2 p.m. Pre-registration is required for this off-site project. Call the church office at 207-236-4821. All ages are welcome.

October 8: Hiking. Get to know each other better while enjoying Creation. If weather is questionable, we’ll play games indoors at the church.

October 22 and November 12: Art & Spirituality. We’ll be focusing on a Stewardship themed art project this fall creating a mandala.

November 26: Art & Spirituality. Learn about drumming as a meditative spiritual and communal practice.

Pre-registration for these Faith Formation programs is welcomed but not necessary unless noted. For more information, call the church office at 207-236-4821.