Join CUCC in building our already powerful youth program. Take a look at the draft blueprints (pdf) under discussion.

Sunday Morning
Seven Days a Week

Living your faith!

• Share your interests with our children & youth.  Let Anne Bailey or Śānti know what you'd enjoy passing along to a new generation.
• Invite a friend to church school or youth group.
  Donate an item or pledge your support to one of the service activities being led by our younger members.
• Teach on Sunday morning.
• Chaperone a mission trip for a few hours or a weekend.
• Set the direction of CUCC's children's and youth's education programs by working with the religious education committees. 

Contact: Heather Burkhardt or Anne Bailey Zschau, (children) or Pam Thompson or Śānti Matthews, (youth).

How are the Children's and Youth religious education programs planned?

Two committees of the Religious Education Ministry develop the programs with the assistance of the children's Church School Coordinator, Anne Bailey Zschau, and the Youth Minister, Śānti Matthews.
 
The Children's Religious Education Committee designs activities to enrich the church school curriculum and plans the service emphasis for the month.  The committee also plans the annual Christmas pageant and Advent Family celebration.  The committee provides support for Anne Bailey.

The Youth Religious Education Supper Club (because we love to eat and don't much like meetings) gathers monthly to support Śānti in her work with the youth, do scheduling, and brainstorm ideas for future programs. We discuss both church school (including confirmation) and youth group (including mission trips and fundraisers). We assume an advisory and policy making role because we want youth to take responsibility for their life in the church. This is the group working on the blueprints for the youth program.

What are the congregation's goals for their children's and youth's programs?

Our touchstones? Growing the next generation of justice people and welcoming the gifts that our children and youth offer. As children, youth, and adults together, we seek to strengthen our faith: through knowledge of scripture and traditions, through practice of spiritual disciplines, and through fostering supportive relationships.

What support is provided for parents? Parenting is hard work. We risk asking each other how things are going and follow up on hunches that someone might appreciate our support. We listen to each other and try not to offer solutions or sage advice, but simply ask if there is anything we can do to support the parent and/or the child. As always, we work to keep confidences. In addition to parent-to-parent support, CUCC is blessed to have staff members who've "been there." Make an appointment to talk things over with Anne Bailey, Śānti or Steve.

What do adults like about helping our children and youth grow?

"I like working to transmit Christian values to the next generation. A spirit filled, ethical, reliable next generation can be a gift to the world." - Marty

"As the mother of 3 small children, it is important for me to give them a foundational belief system that helps them to be strong during times of challenge, to open their hearts to others and to understand their role in making our world a safer and healthier place for all. The children's program at CUCC has done a wonderful job of moving beyond just sharing Biblical stories and has helped them to understand how they can contribute to the greater good on a regular basis. Whether they are collecting school supplies for an orphanage in Guatemala, dedicating their offering to local food banks or simply creating and sharing valentines with residents at the nearby retirement home, they put into action Gods hope that we will all care for each other. " - Kara

"The kids at our church love to express themselves through art. It is a joy for me as a teacher to find meaningful ways to connect a Bible story or spiritual principle to an art project. I watch in awe as the children create beautiful and thoughtful works of art that reflect what is in their heart." - Judy.

Our photo gallery

Tents of Hope - November 9, 2008
Walk for Hope - October 11, 2008
Youth Group Outing - September 21, 2008
God's Green Earth VBS - August 1-3, 2008
Graduation Reception - May 17, 2008
Easter Sunday - March 23, 2008
Easter Egg Hunt - March 16, 2008
Photo Gallery from Christmas Pageant - Dec. 16, 2007
The Ten Commandments (enacted by CUCC Youth)
Youth Room Open House (Oct. 21)
Walk for Hope Photo Gallery (Oct. 7)
Appalachian Service Project Sendoff (Aug. 2007)
Pilgrim House Painting (photos) -- August 26, 2007
Neuse River Festival Photo Gallery -- May 16, 2007
Service Animals Visit Sunday School -- April 22, 2007