St. Augustine is credited with saying, "The one who sings, prays twice." At United Church, we believe that music sets the tone for our worship--literally. For many, listening to beautiful music is a spiritual experience. It's like the Apostle Paul said: When we don't know how to pray, "the Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words" (Romans 8:26).

Our Director of Music, Caesar Storlazzi, ministers to the congregation in a wide variety of musical styles, from Handel's Messiah to Barnett's recent bluegrass mass. In addition, guest musicians broaden our musical horizons with jazz, blues, and gospel sounds. But listening to music is only part of the story. As in every facet of our faith life, we believe we are called to be not only consumers, but working partners. And so congregational singing grounds our worship life. In partnership with God and sisters and brothers around the world, we lift our voices not only in standard 4-part hymns (drawn from the Hymns of Truth and Light hymnal, as well as a library of other resources), but also songs of prayer and praise from many cultures. We don't worry about sounding good so much as feeling good, pouring out our hearts to God with the voices God gave us. After all, isn't that what every Parent wants to hear? 

Caesar has a creative gift and each Sunday directs our choirs and plays the Organ, piano, harpsicord and/or the oboe. We often have guest musicians and jazz offerings, and other varieties of music. Our United Church Choir rehearses Thursdays at 7:30pm at the meeting house (corner of Temple & Elm). Come on down and give it a try. Our Handbell Choir: Rehearsals are most Tuesdays at 5:30pm at the meeting house. Rehearsals last about an hour and it is a fun time of music-making and ringing. And, yes, there are the occasional pizza parties too!

Our Children and Youth Ministries work with our clergy to nurture the spiritual development of the children and adolescents in the Church and is responsible for religious education programs at United Church which include: Church School, confirmation classes, child care and fellowship opportunities for children and youth. For more information about our Youth Education Programs contact: Pastor Bonnie at 203-789 x104.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The United Community Nursery School (UCNS) was founded in 1962 as a secular outreach program of United Church on the Green. The church provides the physical space for the nursery school and continues to provide scholarship support and guidance. Our program serves a wide variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Most families reside in New Haven or the surrounding towns, but each year there are some whose native homes are many miles or continents away. UCNS also has a long tradition of service to children with special needs. Thus, our children have a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow with a broad cross-section of a larger community. UCNS believes that a child who is secure and confident will find the world inviting, and seeks to provide both a supportive and a stimulating preschool environment. 

NURSERY SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

We believe that a preschool should be a place where young children can begin to: Find out about themselves and the world around them. Build constructive relationships with other children and with adults. Try out thoughts in a situation that is wider than home or neighborhood. Develop a sense of community. Gain confidence and build self esteem. Experience a sense of wonder. Make choices and take responsibility. The school provides a balance of activities: Structured/unstructured Informative/creative Active/quiet Indoor/outdoor Observing/participating Alone/in groups Our unique location near the historic New Haven Green enables us to take advantage of many interesting places and events. Our proximity to downtown businesses makes it convenient for working parents to stop in to visit. Parents are always welcome. We seek to complement and enhance the parent-child relationship through mutual support, understanding, and ongoing communication regarding the child's needs. Regularly scheduled parent-teacher conferences supplement day-to-day informal conversations regarding the child's well-being. Other opportunities for involvement include: Parent/staff workshops Pot luck suppers Picnics Parent support groups Periodic newsletters School clean-up day Parent advisory committee Family-oriented fundraising events

NURSERY SCHOOL ACCREDITATION

Since 1988, United Community Nursery School has been accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs. We became the second school in the city and the 20th in the state to meet the Academy's strict accreditation standards in this voluntary, nationwide program. Each of our teachers has a personal commitment to fostering the development of young children, as well as the necessary professional preparation and experience. Teachers complement one another to achieve a well-balanced whole. We maintain a high teacher to student ratio.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply to our Nursery School, please contact our School Director, Betty Baisden at 203-787-4195 x103 or email her at ucnsnewhaven@yahoo.com

TUITION SCHEDULE

The Nursery School is supported by our state's School Readiness and Care-For-Kids Programs which subsidize tuition based on parent income. Tuition payments are billed monthly and may be paid on-line using credit or debit cards or checking account auto-debits. CLICK HERE to make a tuition payment.