Faith Formation and Education

We are all on spiritual journeys of exploration and discovery. Our personal faith evolves as we encounter life’s experiences and engage in conversation with others within and beyond our faith community. We in this faith community offer many programs for educational opportunities. Some highlights are given below.

Sunday Learning Circles for Children and Youth

To nurture the spirituality of our children and youth by:

• providing an atmosphere of caring and support
• encouraging fun, friendship, compassion, and teamwork among children and leaders
• sharing activities that appeal to all learning styles
• helping them discover God's presence in their lives
• sharing Bible Stories and their relevance today
• actively participating in the life and work of our faith community.

Ages 3 – 4 Learning Circle

Children aged 3 – 4 meet each Sunday following a brief time in worship with their families.  Under the supervision of a volunteer, they gather in Program Room 3 to participate in a story time, singing, games, play time, a snack and other activities.

Children's Learning Circles (K – Gr. 6)

Our children's educational program uses a Workshop Rotation Model. With this curriculum model, children experience the major Bible stories or themes through child-friendly activities such as art, drama, music, games, storytelling, science, and building, corresponding to different learning styles. They encounter the same Bible story for several weeks, rotating to a different activity each week. The activity leaders prepare one activity for the entire rotation (3-4 weeks), and adapt it to the different age groups of children, with opportunities to interact with all the children during the rotation.

 Our vision is to have Children Eager to Participate, Explore and Grow in their Faith both in Church and the Community.

Most Sundays, the children gather with the whole church family for the first part of the worship service.  Then they gather with their shepherd and leaders in three age-appropriate groups for storytelling and then engage in a learning activity related to the story.  The children gather together as a large group for the last ten minutes to share their experiences.

The ideas and curriculum for the children's activities have often been generated primarily by dedicated volunteers within our congregation. A curriculum planning team, workshop leaders, and shepherds have added thoughtful care in planning and contagious enthusiasm in sharing this program with the children.

Youth Learning Circle for Junior and Senior High students

The youth are divided into two groups: 

• Youth of Southminster-Steinhauer (Y.O.S.S.) for Grades 7-9
• Youth and Young Adult Ministry (Y.A.Y.A.M.) for Grade 10 and beyond

 Y.O.S.S. - The Junior High youth meet weekly on Sunday morning in the Lounge following a brief time in the large hall with their families.  They begin each week with a check in to see how everyone is doing.   The content of their learning circle program is set by interested students and their parents in collaboration with the staff.  Themes are connected to a relevant Biblical story or passage.  Students are challenged to take their understanding of what it means to be Christian within the current context of their lives.  They are asked to demonstrate what they have learned in concrete ways.  Students are also invited to share their time and talents in the life of the congregation by volunteering to perform various tasks on the first Sunday of each month.

Y.A.Y.A.M. - The Senior High youth and Young Adults meet every second Sunday of the month for lunch from 12-1 p.m.  Usually they meet at the church but occasionally they meet off-site at a pre-determined location.  The goal of the group is to provide a place for older youth to share their experiences and discover ways to integrate their faith into the context of their lives.  The group is also exploring how they might be part of a mission to a developing country. They are also sharing their time and talents with the congregation on a regular basis.

For the current topics, click here and proceed to pages 11 and 12.

There is also a midweek/weekend program for both Y.O.S.S. and Y.A.Y.A.M. where the emphasis is on social networking and service to the community.  Usually the two groups meet separately for learning circles but come together at times for certain learning events and activities.

For the current program, click here and proceed to pages 14, 15 and 16  

Small Hall Events

 On long week-ends and school holidays, the children and youth learning circles meet together as a large group in the small hall for a story, game, song and art or craft activity focused around a theme.

Confirmation / Membership Preparation

Periodically, we offer a series of sessions over several weeks to prepare youth for becoming members of our congregation and of the United Church of Canada. Separate preparation is also provided for adults who wish to transfer their membership from another faith community or are seeking to become baptized or reaffirm their faith.

Summer Camp

Each August, we offer a week-long, day camp for children in Kindergarten to Grade 6.
The theme changes from year to year and involves a variety of activities (usually involving music and movement) and crafts.

 Family Gatherings

On the last Sunday of the month from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, we offer a time for the whole family. 

For the current program, click here and proceed to page 13.

 Adult Education

We regularly offer a short series of sessions such as:

• Reel Faith (feature film followed by discussion)
• Bible 101 and Bible 201
• ‘Living the Questions’ and ‘Saving Jesus’  (facilitated video and discussion series)
• Book Studies, such as The Heart of Christianity and The Pagan Christ
• Lenten Stone Soup Series (four Sundays following worship during Lent)

 Library

We offer a lending library of reference and current books and videos on spiritual topics for study and reflection. Some books are for children (to read or to be read to). The collection also has some fictional works on spiritual themes.

Audio tapes of recent Sunday worship services (especially the minister’s reflection)
are also available for loan to shut-ins or those unable to attend.

Tuesday Connection

On Tuesday mornings, some of our women gather to discuss spiritual ideas or listen to a speaker or view and discuss a video presentation. These women bond around a keen interest in cutting edge issues and theology as well as a common concern for other members of the group and of the congregation.

 Men’s Fellowship Breakfasts