The United Methodist Church of Auburn is pleased to bring a diverse range of educational offerings to our community of all ages. You can find information about many of these in our bulletins, newsletter, and on the events calendar, but below is an overview of the offerings at the United Methodist Church of Auburn. We are always open to new students. Won’t you join us?
On Sunday Mornings during the school year at 10:30 AM, children age 4 and up go into worship with their parents for the first fifteen minutes, take part in the Children's Moment, then move to Sunday School. Ages 3 and under go to the nursery with trained staff. Three Sundays a year, on the fifth Sunday of the month, children spend time with the pastor and teachers for a special activity. Summer Sundays for kids are less structured, but are still filled with games and craft activities to explore faith and nurture learning.
For Children Pre-School through Second Grade:
We offer Godly Play where trained storytellers bring Bible stories alive using materials meant to be touched and held by the children: wooden figures, a desert box of sand, a miniature communion table, a baby doll for baptizing, a sturdy nativity set, and much more.
For Children 3rd through 5th Grade:
These children experience a more in-depth version of Godly Play.
To see an Introduction to Godly Play on youtube, see the Godly Play Collections Page
Click/touch below to expand section and learn more about other programs for children, youth, and families.
Children are eligible to serve the church as acolytes as young as third grade.
Children’s choir performs at various times throughout the year.
Offered every three years in conjunction with other local Methodist churches. Age of participants may vary. Next Class is anticipated to be Fall of 2026.
Families are invited to partcipate in a group aimed to connect families with one another inside the Church community. The group meets one or more times each season for conversations around the presence of faith in supporting our families and one another. The group also schedules fun outings and events to futher connect our family network with one another. See Pastor Steve for more information.
The focus is on building community, instilling Christian values, and having fun. See our Facebook page for upcoming activities. This serves grades 7 through 12.
Summer camp partial scholarships (overnight and day) for Camp Mechuwana are available to Sunday school students.
We invite all ages to join in the annual Christmas pageant. Other family activities include a fall festival—last fall it was Trunk or Treat–and Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on a Saturday before Easter. There are plenty of opportunities for family giving through Thanksgiving Food Baskets, the Christmas Giving Tree, the Food Bank, and a yearly Lenten Mission Project.
VBS recharges kids from age three to high school for one week every summer with fun, music, and games, and more mission work for youth. Information about Summer 2020 VBS to be announced.
Read below for scholarship opportunities for learners in our church community.
Edmund R., Lavina B., and Francis B. Wentworth
Music Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Francis B. Wentworth, a long-time member of the United Methodist Church of Auburn. She was a choir member who had a great interest in music and music education. Applications are encouraged by May 1st June 1st.
Established 2009
The Bill Hackett Scholarship
The Bill Hackett Scholarship Fund was established to provide scholarship assistance for training or education beyond the high school level in an accredited school or training center to an individual who is a member or who regularly attends the United Methodist Church of Auburn.
Applications are encouraged by May 1st June 1st.
The Wentworth Scholarship
This scholarship was established to provide scholarship assistance for training or education beyond the high school level in an accredited school or training center to an individual who is a member or who regularly attends the United Methodist Church of Auburn.
Applications are encouraged by May 1st June 1st.
The Upper Room Devotional
10:00 AM, Fridays (Except 4th Friday of each month)
Pastor Steve leads a morning devotion, based on The Upper Room, on Zoom at 10:00 AM on Fridays, except for the 4th Friday of the month, when there is no meeting. The Upper Room, a ministry of the United Methodist Church, is a daily devotional, available in print and online. Printed copies are available for free at the church. An online subscription is available for $14.99. If you would like to be invited to join the Friday morning group, contact the church office.
For more information, call the church office at (207) 782-3972.
Spiritual Growth Group
Kay Little, Christian Education chair, facilitates a weekly spiritual growth group on zoom. Among the books they have read and discussed are The Man Born to Be King by Dorothy Sayers, At the Still Point, Sarah Arthur, Desire of the Everlasting Hill: the World Before and After Jesus, Thomas Cahill, and Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris. They have also done video studies from the “Embracing” series by Church Publishing, including one on the prophets by Walter Breuggemann, and a Genesis study produced by Bill Moyers.
Growing Deeper
9:30 AM to 10:15 AM, Sundays
A Conversation about the day’s scripture readings led by Pastor Steve Bascom.
For more information, call the church office at (207) 782-3972.
Faith Journey
9:30 AM, Thursdays
A Thursday women’s spiritual growth group
For more information, call the church office at (207) 782-3972.
Matthew Bible Study
6:30 PM, Fridays
Bible study led by Pastor Steve Bascom.
For more information, call the church office at (207) 782-3972.
Our church is a *reconciling intergenerational Christian community that intentionally welcomes all of God’s children. Its mission is to embody Christ’s love through a commitment to serve God by fulfilling the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of our congregation and of our local and global communities. We are part of the Many Waters District of the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church. (https://neumc.org)