Youth and Young Adult Ministry

We use the Godly Play Sunday School curriculum which is Montessori based. Children start in the Sanctuary with their families. At about 10:15, the Godly Play teachers take the children to their classroom upstairs in the Education Building where they learn an age appropriate bible lesson, enjoy a “reflective and creative” time doing crafts or playing with buildings materials like blocks or Legos. The session ends with refreshments.

Older “youth” (ages 13-18) attend Sunday School staring at 5:00 - 6:30 PM using Sparkhouse “re:form” curriculum to explore their faith from many different angles helping them to raise and discuss questions that don’t necessarily only have one right answer. They encounter the question watching a funny animated video, they engage by tapping into their creativity through activities to help them dig deeper into their faith and respond by sharing thoughts and ideas about session’s questions.

Our teens also participate with teens who attend multiple Alameda churches in a group program that combines community service with fellowship called “Along the WAY”. The teens help prepare meals for Alameda’s homeless, Oakland’s Mercy Center’s senior and homeless programs, clean up trash on our beaches and can attend fun activities offered at the participating church’s such as Christmas Caroling and game nights. Outside activities are also planned to augment the fun part.