Our Services
Baptism & Faith Beginnings
Our “Baptism & Faith Beginnings” program is designed to support parents and caregivers who wish to have their infant or young child baptized. The program includes an individual meeting with a minister of the church, an introduction to library resources on baptism and raising kids in the faith, a baptism gift basket, and an invitation to a Baptism Anniversary Celebration.
Baptism is not just a “one and done” ritual but rather a beautiful beginning to a life and community of faith. While we do not re-baptize individuals, we can help young ones and their families better understand the meaning and significance of baptism through books, lesson materials, projects, and our Baptism Anniversary Celebration.
Our Baptism Anniversary Celebrations are designed for kids ages 3-6 or 7-10 and are open to anyone who has been baptized whether the individual was baptized at First Church or not.
Montessori-Based Faith Formation
Beginnings Family Library is equipped with quality materials to support the spiritual development of young people. Most of our materials are natural, handcrafted, and made in the Montessori or Waldorf tradition. They are available for families to check out in order to explore faith and spirituality at home. They also enrich our Sunday-morning Godly Play program, a Montessori-based, multi-age faith formation program with hands-on storytelling, wondering, and open response time at its core.
Stop by on a Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. to see our Montessori-based faith formation program in action or make an appointment to explore the library materials on your own time.
Library On-The-Go
Beginnings Family Library is committed to being a resource for the community. We’ll even bring our books, resources, and materials to you. Tell us the theme of your event, and we’ll send a library ambassador as well as a curated collection of books and materials for your event.
Our library ambassadors can lead a project or activity, engage in storytelling using Godly Play materials, or simply be available to answer questions and share in conversation.
Themes we love include, Eco Justice, Pride, Celebrating Marginalized Voices, Social Justice Heroes, Stories of Faith, and Mental & Spiritual Wellbeing
Individual Appointments
We all need a little help sometimes, and we at Beginnings know that. If you are seeking a compassionate listener, resources that might help, spiritual guidance or prayer, we are here for you.
Our staff members are prepared to meet with kids, teens, or adults and have experience in pastoral care, counseling, chaplaincy, and spiritual guidance.
Not sure if you want to talk? That’s ok. Set up an appointment for quiet time to engage in a spiritual practice or project.
Please note: These appointments are no substitute for therapy. If you are in crisis or facing an emergency, call 911.
Support for Young People Experiencing Loss
Helping young people with their first experiences of loss can be so challenging to navigate. Whether you are a parent who isn’t sure how to begin the conversation, a kid who’s asking big questions, or a family that’s just caught up in the stress of it all, we at Beginnings can help. We offer books and resources, projects centered on honoring memories or processing feelings, and funeral-like ritual that’s kid-friendly and hands-on. All of our services are customizable and personalized because everyone’s family is unique and everyone’s way of dealing with loss is unique. Experiencing loss is difficult, but it can also be rich with meaning and grace.