Youth and Children

Bethel is committed to raising children in the worshiping Body of Christ.  Childhood is the most formative stage of faith development when young ones are led by their sense of wonder.  We welcome their presence, their wiggles, their interruptions, and especially their questions. The flow of our rituals and informal  but structred style make this a refreshing home for families.  Our kids routinely ask their parents if they can go to church on Sunday.  We cherish the life they bring us.  See below for a list of our age specific ministries.

Elementary Age (K-5th)

Sunday school is the cornerstone of our ministry with children.  Kids will start worship with adults but leave for a portion of the service and then return for communion.  These classes follow the stories told in worship, explain the rituals, and engage through the arts.  We supplement this core learning with service projects, field trips, worship dramas, and Parents' Night Out. Quarterly, we host kid-led worship on Sundays when children write and lead prayers, read scripture, sing, and offer reflections. Every summer we hold a Vacation Bible Camp program. We are currently exploring hiring a Youth and Children's Ministry Leader.

Young Teen (6th-9th)

The Young Teen Youth Program meets on Fridays after school. This program features service projects, mastering the Bible stories, and engagement through art, poetry, and video. Youth explore the practices of Christian community: prayer, worship rituals, friendship, and rites of passage from birth to death in a faith context. Youth have access to overnight summer camp and school year retreats. Every summer we hold a Vacation Bible Day Camp where they assist adults in leadership. For some, this serves as our confirmation program but with added requirements. The schedule may vary depending on the student's needs.