Children and Youth Team
Our Mission and Vision
Ashland UCC Downstairs Church
We nurture and educate our children to love God,
love the planet, and love each other,
while building friendships and having fun.
By exploring the life and the teachings of Jesus, we model and affirm:
creativity, curiosity, courage, and coolness.
We are called to our ministry on behalf of our children, youth, families, future generations, our hometown, and the world. (Snacks help!)
Our Programs
Our Sunday services begin with music followed by a welcome and announcements. During our first congregational song, children are invited forward to light candles, then invited to downstairs church. Parents/Caregivers are welcome to accompany them until they feel comfortable or keep them with them in the service.
During September, our downstairs church program will be offered only during the 10:30 service as a trial. Families who come to the 9am service are invited to keep children with them in the service. Quiet activities will be available for them and nursery care will continue to be provided. Please let us know how this works for your family.
Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers (ages 3 and 4): Chiu-mei Shih (Sabrina) and a youth assistant will care for your children during the service.
Kindergarten through Fifth Grade: Kaylan Wilson is our regular teacher for this age group.
Middle School: Middle Schoolers are welcome to stay in the service or can attend class downstairs if they prefer. On the third Sunday of the month they are invited out to coffee during the service.* They are also invited to participate in the weekly Ashland Youth Collective gatherings on Sunday afternoons/evenings** and in the 25 week OWL*** sexuality curriculum offered every other year.
High School: Some High Schoolers stay in the service and some assist as helpers in our children’s program. They are also invited out to coffee the third Sunday of each month* and to participate in the weekly Ashland Youth Collective gatherings on Sunday afternoons/evenings throughout the school year.** The High School OWL program is offered during alternate years.***
*Coffee Outing: On the third Sunday each month, youth stay in the service through the candle lighting, then Rev. Paula Sohl invites them to walk down to a local coffee shop for drinks and conversation. They have a different guest each month from the church or the community, and together share stories of their lives and faith journeys.
**The Ashland Youth Collective is a progressive, ecumenical community youth group for middle school and high school youth in and around Ashland, Oregon. Ashland First Congregational United Church of Christ, First United Methodist Church, and Trinity Episcopal have come together to form a community youth group. We believe we can do more and be more together. http://ashlandyouthcollective.tumblr.com/about
***OWL: http://www.ucc.org/justice/sexuality-education/our-whole-lives.html
http://uccashlandoregon.org/get-involved/our-whole-lives/