At its finest, ministry with children and youth includes the whole family, building community between all generations as it affirms each person just as they come to Christ’s church. It captures the imagination as well as the intellect, allowing learners to search for the answers to their own questions. Our children and youth leaders accomplish this by sharing the great stories of our faith from the Bible, history, music, and arts, ever willing for a playful side trip into a youth’s question. We tailored our current offerings to fit the lifestyle and educational needs of children and their families.

Adults and teens watch over the children as they play and explore in this safe space appointed just for little ones. Infant to age five.

On one Sunday each month, our Music Director gathers the children from their classes to sing and enjoy music. Occasionally, our children bless our service for worship with their singing.

One Friday evening each month from 5:30-8:30 p.m., PCC hosts Date Night, a time for parents/guardians to drop their children in a safe place while they have a night out. Served by church staff and volunteers, our children have a really fun community time with singing, dinner, crafts, and games; while parents are blessed by three hours of free childcare.

During our 10:00 a.m. service for worship, our pastor invites the children to come join him on the chancel. We call this “Children Sharing in Worship” because he puts the focus on the children, their observations, their responses. Their insights become a contribution to worship, not simply ‘children on parade.’ Around 10:20 the children leave worship to attend their age appropriate learning activities. We recognize that they grow and mature at different rates, so we encourage them to find their classroom “fit,” the right challenge with the optimal level of support that nurtures their questions and exploration.

Grades four through six meet in our Youth House with a church staff person as leader. Participant questions and the “Seasons” curriculum spark the learning.

Older youth join our Children and Youth Director after worship for a walk and conversation at the yogurt shop.

Following Kid’s Night, our Youth Staff and Volunteers often plan activities and a sleepover for older youth, generally at a parent’s home. Sometimes they go to the park and play croquet in the dark, catch a movie, or go bowling at midnight! Always, they build community through fun, faith and friendships through being with their church family.