Children and Youth
Children and Youth are a special part of the Westwood Hills Congregational UCC family. We provide both Sunday School and childcare services. Our Sunday School meets on the first and third Sunday of each month, and we welcome new children and youth every Sunday.
Sunday School
We use an online curriculum from Illustrated Ministries with lesson plans appropriate for pre-k through high school.
The usual schedule is as follows:
10:00 AM – Children attend the worship service with their parents
10:30 AM – Children leave worship after the Children’s Moment in the service
10:35 AM – Group time with welcome, prayer, high and lows of the week, scripture reading with a complementary arts and crafts project and communion
11:15 AM – Clean up. We close our time together with prayer
11:20AM – Children return to their parents in the sanctuary
Our curriculum begins to address the more abstract thinking skills of our children and youth. They interact with their peers and teachers through engaging in conversation and creating art and spoken word. These collaborating relationships help to nurture their spiritual development. This class meets in the Fireside Room, next to the kitchen.
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Toddler and Infant Care
We provide a play-based environment for toddlers 1-3 years of age in the back of the sanctuary and in the Infant room, under the supervision of our childcare provider. Parents are welcome to join their children at the arts and crafts table during the service. Infants stay in worship with their parents in the pew or join other infants and toddlers
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Teachers and Assistants
Our Sunday school teachers and assistants are all volunteers from our church. On Sunday, we have at least two teachers or a teacher and assistant leading our children and youth through lessons from Illustrated Ministries. All of our volunteers have passed background checks and completed mandated reporter training.
Our childcare provider is a paid position. They have also passed background checks and completed mandated reporter training.
Wee Read
On the third Sunday of each month, we hold a read-aloud of a children's picture book or books on the patio after the service. All ages are welcome to attend. The stories relate to themes like culture, inclusion, ecology, and perseverance. Our readers are volunteers from the congregation.