These are followed by Children's Time, a message prepared for children; parents are welcome to join their children on the floor at the front. After the Children's Time, children and youth go to church school. [On first Sundays and special festivals, middle and high school youth remain in worship.] Children who prefer to remain in worship with their parents may do so.
In Church School the children and youth have an opportunity to explore their growing faith with their peers. This is a time set aside for them to "nurture their spiritual growth and work for justice," in the words of CUCC's mission statement. Through age-appropriate learning activities and loving interactions with adults and each other, the children and youth are given opportunities to experience the wonder and mystery of God and to live their faith.
Nursery
A birth to three-year-old nursery during the entire worship service provides the children with a place to play, get to know one another, and hang out with "Miss Margaret" Osborne or "Miss Karen" Preston, our wonderful caregivers. A comfortable rocker is ready for nursing moms.
Children
Preschool - 5th Grade
To supplement the curriculum children participate in a variety of service projects to support the church and larger community. Last year the children chose to support: Leukemia and Lymphomia Society, Plant a Row for the Hungry, SPCA, Hope Reins. We have voted and selected our new charity for 2014-15. We will be supporting MIRA which is an organization out of Southern Pines that provides guide dogs to blind children. I learned of this organization from my mother who lives in Southern Pines. The children were so excited to select an organization that works with animals (always their favorite) and children. It was a unanimous decision! We also voted 100% to fill 50 Christmas stocking for underprivileged children via the Salvation Army. Lastly, the children requested that Christmas cards be provided again this year at the Family Advent Workshop so they can write messages and send them to our soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital. What an amazing group of children we have at CUCC!!!We are so excited about our children's choir led by Erin Moorman-Wenger. Our first class with Ms. Erin was wonderful. Erin will join us on 2nd and 4th Sundays. Her enthusiasm is infectious and the children were mesmerized by Ms. Erin. I am so very grateful to her and excited for our children. Music at Sunday School is a dream come true for me! Thank you, Erin!
The Church School also has special activities to engage the children throughout the year. Some of these include Back to School Sunday, the Family Advent Party, the Christmas Pageant, making Valentines, the Palm Sunday Egg Hunt, Earth Day and the end-of-the-school-year Celebration.
- posted by "Miss Anne Bailey" Zschau
Youth
Middle and High School
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| Painting free expression rock during study of liberation |
Youth Church School Sundays break down as follows:
- Some Sundays, classes combine for Christian based curriculum led by Śānti Matthews, upstairs in the Pilgrim House, otherwise...
- 5th and 6th graders form the Journey Class, led by Śānti Matthews: Beloved Community curriculum: Pilgrim House
- 7th-9th graders form the Confirmation Class, led by Sue Cottle and Joy Alford: Confirmation curriculum: Bradow and/or Hoffman Rooms
- 10th-12th graders form the Leaders Class, led by Joy Alford: Faith Experiences in Time of Transition: Youth Room
- Youth will be escorted from the narthex to their appropriate classes by their teachers.
- After worship, to avoid confusion, parents are asked to meet their 5-12 graders in the Fellowship Hall.
Leading Worship
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| Palm Sunday youth designed worship |
Being Together
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| Graduation Celebration |
For youth fifth grade and up, youth group is the place to make friends and tackle larger projects.
Being the Next Generation of Justice People
Through fifth grade, service projects are led by and done with adults, although the children select the projects for the quarter. When we donate our offering, we save it for a long time so we can make a sizable donation. Each of our offering donations this year has been for more than $45. We have:
- donated our offering to One Great Hour of Sharing
- collected books for Method Child Development Center
- donated 14 Christmas shoe boxes to needy children around the world through Enloe High School
- donated our offering and animal care supplies to the SPCA
- collected books and supplies for children at Interact; we also contributed our offering
- donated our offering to Walk for Hope
- donated our offering to the Crop Walk
- made and donated stepping stones for the small garden
- made Valentines for our friends at Morningside Convalescent Center and for CUCC's college-age members
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| Raising funds for mental health research at Walk for Hope |
