Children and Youth

Approximately half of the Bethel community is under age 18. The energy, joy and fun that children bring to our worship and fellowship makes Bethel a vibrant, growing place.

To support the spiritual needs of our kids and their parents, Bethel organizes several weekly and monthly activities for kids of all ages. Our Next Generation classes are age appropriate times of play, learning and spiritual development.

At Bethel we teach the foundations of the Christian faith in a non-dogmatic environment that embraces the truths found in many faith traditions. We work together for the personal spiritual growth and full community participation of all.

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Next Generation  Schedule

We offer a weekly Sunday program for kids ages 6-through middle school.

Multi-age Program
This year our Next Generation program will include children and youth, from kindergarten to middle school, with expanded roles for youth who are in 4th grade and beyond. 

Next Generation Leaders
As part of our multi-age program, youth in 4th grade and above are invited to become Next Generation Leaders. 

New Stories
Our Next Generation program is based on the Godly Play/Montessori model of worship and learning for children and youth.  This year, in addition to our current collection of biblical Godly Play stories, we will be adding Stories of Connection from other faith traditions, Peace Hero stories, and new biblical stories.

How You Can Help
We have a great need for volunteers of all sorts.  If you are able, please contact Judy or Debra to find a good volunteering fit for you.

Peace Hero Storytellers Needed Do you have a favorite peace hero - someone who has made the world a better place? It could be someone well-known or little known, local, national, or international. Would you be willing to read a book or tell a story about that person to our Next Generation class?

We need Peace Hero Storytellers for fourth Sundays.
Questions?  Please feel free to contact either Judy Davis or Debra Pennington-Davis

Childcare open from  9:45-11:40 Sundays
Ages 5 and under
Supervised play with stories and crafts. Childcare is available during worship and Family Worship on Sundays and during many events during the week.

Help our childcare staff by bringing your child down to the childcare room and introducing yourself and your child. This allows our providers to recognize family members and gives you time to communicate your child's needs. Please pick up your child from the childcare room.

Godly Play  --
Grades K-8
This Montessori-based program is based upon the recognition that children have an innate sense of the presence of God. All they lack is the language to identify and express it so it can be explored and strengthened. The Godly Play approach teaches Christian language in a way that enhances the child’s authentic experience of God so it can contribute to the creative life of the child and the world.

NEXT GENERATION Program  -- Godly Play & Lessons
Everyone in grades K - 8 welcome to participate

1st Sundays    All-Family Worship
2nd Sunday     Jesus' Early Life
3rd Sunday      Jesus' Ministry
4th Sunday      Jesus' Last Week
                        
    All Stories are NEW this year

Faith Explorers Class with Pastor Kelly
This month APRIL 17th  during worship
EXPLORERS for grades 4-8

We will explore what the sacred looks like and means to each one of us.

Youth Activities

High School -- 2nd Sundays
Our high school youth meet monthly on the 2nd Sunday of the month with youth from Riverside Community Church in Hood River. Meetings are generally held from 5:30-7:30 and include a potluck dinner.

Middle School Events  -- 2nd Fridays
The Middle-schoolers meet together with Riverside youth for fun, fellowship and spiritual development on the second Friday of the month at 4:30

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