 Youth and Family Ministry
at NWBUC Northwest Barrie United Church is strongly committed to children, youth, and all families. The number of young people at our church is excitingly growing by leaps and bounds! To serve the spiritual and social needs of these young people, a Minister of Youth and Family staff member was added in 2011. With the incredible help of our Sunday school teachers and many volunteers, the Minister of Youth and Family helps develop, plan, and co-ordinate our Sunday school and our Youth Group. The individual also helps run intergenerational services, small group ministries, and special social events at our church. The Minister to Family and Youth is responsible for organizing the Christmas Eve Pageant, a Vacation Bible Camp in the summer, and the theatrical drama productions at our church. Our children are our future! They add an exciting and fresh dynamic that is essential to the inclusive philosophy of faith and warm atmosphere at Northwest Barrie United Church. If you have any questions or suggestion regarding our Youth and Family Ministry, you are welcome to contact the church or email scott.crew@nwbuc.ca.   | 
The NWBUC Youth Group
Our Youth Group is open to students in grade six up to grade twelve. We meet at least once a month for fun activities that include seasonal themed parties at the church, bowling nights, movie nights, snow tubing, and sporting events at the community centre. We also encourage youth to get involved in the community by encouraging outreach, helping with our local church dinners, and participating in the World Vision Famine Event to raise money for hungry children. Students can count their time spent helping with these events towards their volunteer hours required by their school. Anyone, whether they attend our church or not, are always welcome at our youth events. It is a great opportunity to meet new friends and participate in fun, exciting activities in a positive and inclusive environment.
Children's Ministry at NWBUC
Children and Youth are important and valued members of the community at Northwest Barrie United Church. They are welcomed and included in all our worship services, and are expected and allowed to “just be kids”! At the opening of our Sunday worship service, the children sit with their caregiver(s) before being invited up to the front for an uplifting and often humorous children’s story. Afterwards they leave for the own special class time specifically geared to each age group. Woodland Park is our Nursery and is available for infants and children under 4 years of age. Adult volunteers help supervise, and parents are welcome to stay if they wish. Pagers are provided to contact you in the sanctuary should the need arise. The Woodland Park Nursery is well-equipped with crafts, toys, and many fun things to do. Infants are always welcome in our services, but a unique option at our church (that many new parents love) is an area overlooking the sanctuary were you can attend to the needs of your infant, but still see the service and hear it through a speaker system. Butterfly Park is open to all school age children from kindergarten to grade 6. We have dedicated volunteers who teach the children and help them explore God’s love, and Jesus’ ministry. We explore a Christian curriculum that is inclusive, joyful, and compassionate. We use the teachings of Jesus as a guide to living a fulfilled and spiritual life in relation to others and to our environment. It respects and celebrates the many wisdom teachings that exist and focuses on a joyful path and finding God within all. We reflect on social justice issues, such as Fair Trade, help local family shelters, and currently sponsor a child in Africa. The Upper Room is the meeting place for our oldest youth who are in grade 7 and older. It is a comfortable and relaxed environment where the philosophy and teachings of Jesus are explored as a guide to living a fulfilled life with spiritual understanding. We explore issues that are relevant to the youth of today, including globalization, poverty, social justice, and the environment. Youth are welcome to share their thoughts and questions on Christianity, other spiritual beliefs, and personal growth. |
NWBUC
