CHILDREN & YOUTH
Supporting our young people to build a brighter future
Children are welcome in worship
Children are invited to worship with their families in the sanctuary.
Following the Children’s Message, children in Kindergarten and younger may continue worshiping in the sanctuary or go to the Nursery.
Worship Tools for children are available in the Narthex (area between entrance & pews)
“One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: "Let the children alone, don't prevent them from coming to me. God's kingdom is made up of people like these." After laying hands on them, he left. — Matthew 19:13-15
Children’s Faith Formation: Godly Play
On the second and fourth Sunday of each month during the school year, children in Kindergarten through 5th grade have the opportunity to participate in Godly Play after the Children’s Message during church service.
Godly Play is a Montessori-based approach to children’s spiritual formation that is based on creating a sacred space in which to present the stories of our faith, wonder about them together, and then allow the children open-ended opportunities to engage with the stories on their own terms using imagination, creativity, and play. Parents must pick up their children promptly from Room 5 after worship in the sanctuary ends.
For more information about Faith Formation, please contact us here
Our Whole Lives (OWL) Curriculum
Our Whole Lives/Sexuality & Our Faith (OWL) is a comprehensive sexuality program created by our denomination, the UCC, alongside the Unitarians. Our religious heritages compel us to create safe settings where people can come to understand and respond to their experiences as sexual beings.
OWL is a series of sexuality education curricula for six age groups: grades K-1, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, young adult, and adult. The program provides an opportunity for children, youth, and adults to learn about sexuality in the affirming and supportive setting of our church. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, it provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but also supports participants in clarifying values, integrating sexual and spiritual understandings, building interpersonal skills, and understanding the spiritual, emotional, social, and political aspects of sexuality.
Middle School Youth Group - Grades 6-8
The focus of our Middle School youth group is to deepen one’s understanding of the Christian faith, build group community, discover one’s unique gifts and explore service opportunities to others. Our youth leaders incorporate fellowship, Bible study, physical activities, community building and service to others in an age appropriate settings to guide our youth along their spiritual path.
We spend the fall sessions working on getting to know each other and self-discovery. We incorporate community service projects throughout the year, culminating in our end of the year Youth S.A.L.T. trip. The youth and their leaders travel to the “big city” (San Francisco or Sacramento) to work together on a variety of service projects.
All of our youth are invited to actively participate in wider denominational (United Church of Christ) events including National Youth Event, Camp Tamarack, Fall Fest, Mid-Winter Retreat, and the NCNC-UCC youth leadership program at the Annual Gathering in April.
High School Youth Group
High youth group emphasizes community building, faith exploration, recreation, teen issues and community service. Youth leaders strive to create a safe place to explore teen issues using a solid biblical foundation.
All of our youth are encouraged to actively participate in wider denominational (United Church of Christ) events including National Youth Event, local Camp Cazadero and Camp Tamarack, Fall Youth Event, Feb Camp, as well as Counselor-In-Training camps and the NCNC-UCC youth leadership program at the Annual Gathering in April.
Interested in joining our church community?
You are welcome to participate in our church whether you are a member or not for as long as you’d like. And if it’s a fit, we’d love to have you join us as a member. Here’s how you do that…
STEP 1: ATTEND WORSHIP
Attend our Sunday worship and see if you would like to become an active member of the Community Church of Sebastopol.
STEP 2: ATTEND AN INQUIRERS’ CLASS
Inquirers’ Classes are held every few months. Contact the office to find out when the next orientation will be held.
STEP 3: PARTICIPATE IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
We welcome your full participation as a member in the life of our church. As members, we commit to:
- Attend Sunday services as regularly as life allows
- Deepen spiritually by participating in one church program
- Serve faithfully with the church in the wider community
- Share our financial resources so the church may thrive
- Aspire to a leadership or volunteer role
- Tell others about our church & why it means so much to us
Frequently asked questions
What if I can’t make it to the next Inquirers’ Class?
There will be another orientation in a few months, so you can attend the next one.
What if I can’t make it to the joining ceremony?
We will have you join in absentia, then introduce you on a subsequent Sunday.
Do my kids join with me?
While all baptized people, including infants, are members of the Body of Christ, local church membership is for anyone over confirmation age (14 or so). Children are invited to join us in the Inquirers’ Class if they like, and we would love for them to be with you during the joining ceremony.
What if I still have questions after the Inquirers Class?
Our pastor can be available during the week, in person or over the phone, to continue in conversation.
