Children & Youth
There is a place for every child in our church. Regular Church School classes are held every Sunday for children ages 3 years through 8th grade. Our team teachers and excellent curriculum make the classes interesting and exciting. High school youth assist in the classrooms and sing in the choir.
Family Worship
Family worship is a unique aspect of our Christian Education program. Seven Sundays a year, our children and youth are the writers and designers of the worship service. On Family Worship Sundays, the youth lead the prayer, read the scripture and often dramatize the theme of the day. Their expertise and creativity produce a beautiful service, one that church members appreciate. The occasion also makes the statement that our children and youth feel completely at home in the Sanctuary!
Infant and Toddler Care
Where do you go when your infant needs some TLC and you are in worship? Come to the Infant Room. The room is right near the sanctuary, furnished with a rocking chair, changing area and infant toys. In this room you can sit with your child for a while and hear the sermon or leave him or her with our Nursery Mom,, Lili Ruiz. For those youngsters who are walking, exploring and need more space, a Toddler Room is also available in the Christian Education Building. The Toddler Room is a caring place for little children where they will receive love, attention and a snack. They are lovingly cared for by our Toddler Moms.
Youth Program
Mid-High youth (6-8th grade)
Sundays: First Sunday of the month, Mid Highs attend worship. There will be opportunities for worship leadership. All other Sundays, there is a special Mid-High program in the Youth Room during Church School. This is a time of fun, togetherness, learning, playing and relevant spirituality.
Mid-High Youth Group meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, 6:30-8:00 p.m., in the Youth Room. Building on Sunday’s programs, Wednesday night Mid-High Youth Group is all about personal discovery, serving others and bonding as a community.
Each grade level has specific rites of passage to complete as they work toward confirmation in 8th grade. Eighth graders will have an overnight retreat designed especially for them in preparation to be confirmed. There will be outings, outreach projects, retreats, but mostly tons of fun.
Senior High youth (9-12th grade):
Sundays: Sr. High Youth group meets every Sunday, 11:45- 1:30 p.m. 60 Minutes has been incorporated into the Sr. High Youth Group. Each meeting includes time to build community, relevant faith exploration, spiritual practices and a charge to change the world (and lunch, of course). Youth Group topics change and develop through the year in collaboration with participants. Northern California Nevada Conference-UCC Fall Youth Retreat will be hosted at CCSM. A major outreach trip will be in June. There are many opportunities for worship leadership, service projects, and time to unwind with friends.
NCNC UCC Camps & Outdoor Ministries
NCNC/UCC Camps are wonderful faith-filled experiences for our children and youth. Camp Cazadero is a good addiction that many of our youth have! The camps are set in beautiful surroundings, embody our Christian faith, and have a low ratio of adults to campers — about 3:1 for the youngest children and less than 5:1 for teens. Our camps are staffed by volunteers — adults and teens — who are active in local churches, take their own faith journey seriously, and look forward to being good friends and positive role models to campers.
http://www.ncncucc.org/camping/index.html
