Children's & Youth Ministries

Many people come back to church because they want their children raised in the faith. At the same time, you may still have questions of your own! Our faith formation ministries are designed to help families like yours find ways to grow up Christian in today’s culture. At McFarland UCC, we don't isolate children and youth from adults; we integrate them into the full life of the church. We want children in the sanctuary! We learn how to worship in community by praying and singing and listening alongside others. Even so, a special, age-appropriate moment in worship can help. Every Sunday, we have a close-up time where the children join our pastor in the front of the sanctuary. You never know what’s going to happen!

Children’s Ministries

Nursery Care - Little ones are always welcome in worship – but if they need a place to stretch and wiggle, and you’d rather they do that outside the sanctuary, the nursery is always open. This recently renovated room is set up for children under the age of five.

Growing In Faith Together - Our Sunday School meets at 9 am, before worship. The group is split into younger elementary and upper elementary ages. Bring your children for an active 45 minutes which offer a chance to explore stories and practices of our faith through several learning styles.

God didn’t make children to sit still! We use a hands-on curriculum developed by our own church. Our themes for the 2011-2012 year are all "C-words" of our faith: Creation, Caring, Christmas, Call, Covenant, and Christ-like.

During our Creation series, the younger GIFT class painted a mural together,
while the older class created a banner for the sanctuary.

Youth Ministries

Still Listening Youth (SLY) offers fellowship and service experiences for junior high and high school youth. Pizza parties, games of ‘sardines’ (ask one of the youth to explain), and participating in “mission::possible” youth leadership experiences help build a sense of camaraderie and inclusion. Jesus didn’t exclude people. Neither do we!

OMG! Confirmation is a 15-month series for youth ages 13 and up. We meet twice a month to eat, worship and pray and explore our faith together. At the end of OMG!, participants may choose to be confirmed, accepting the promises made for them at their baptism and making their own Christian promises.

“I want to give him what I found in the world, which is to say, a path and a little light to see by. Most of the people I know who have what I want – which is to say, purpose, heart, balance, gratitude, joy – are people with a deep sense of spirituality. They are people in community, who pray, or practice their faith… people banding together to work on themselves and for human rights. They follow a brighter light than the glimmer of their own candle;
they are part of something beautiful.” - Anne Lamott in her essay, “Why I make Sam go to church.”