First Day School
Quakers used to refer to the days of the week by number, instead of name, so “Sunday School” became “First Day School.” And it does function differently than traditional “Sunday Schools.” Since Quakers don’t have a set of beliefs that children must be taught to accept, the emphasis is on teaching them the principles that guide Quaker practice and encouraging them to examine how they apply to their own lives. While there isn’t a rigid list of those principles, the acronym “SPICES,” for simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and service, is a useful beginning.
Our First Day School meets during meeting for worship at 11 am in the Friends Hall classroom. The kids and teachers join the adults in the Meetinghouse about 11:45 for the last part of meeting for worship and to join us in fellowship and snacks.
First Day School is held through the academic year, September to June. On Quarterly Meeting dates (the last Sundays of October, January and April), all the First Day School groups for Merion, Haverford, Old Haverford, Radnor, Valley and Newtown meetings will have a joint First Day School activity at the meeting hosing the Quarter. Those are definitely worth trying to attend.
All kids are welcome. Contact us for more information: [email protected]