Families

Family Ministry

Skyline’s support of Children, Youth and Families is vital and loving. The family, in all its contemporary shapes and sizes, is the heartbeat of our church. Through a spirit-filled, family-friendly Sunday morning worship, inspired Sunday School for K-12, and a wide variety of events for kids and their adults, we nurture faith in this precious gift.

Sunday School

Our church school is committed to the moral and spiritual development of our children and teens. Through Bible stories, music, worship, crafts, and social justice service projects, we strive to pass on the Christian faith to the next generation.

Our church school is based on these principles

We can grow in faith without indoctrination or dogma. we trust that an open-minded, non literal approach to scripture and tradition can inspire a love of God.
By learning about the life of Jesus, children are provided with an example of compassion, justice, faith, and love that will empower them. But this Christ -centered approach never denies that there are other paths to God as well.
Social justice is central to our faith. When children learn about the state of the world, and act with compassion to those most impoverished, they are following Christ.
Along with our church school. our entire church seeks to be a safe, fun, child- friendly, nurturing community.

Skyline’s Sunday School has individual classes for various age groups., ranging from toddlers, through Confirmation class. Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Each year we review our curriculum choices and train our teachers for the coming year. Our curriculum for 2007-2008 is Bible Quest. This popular new curriculum is liberal in its theology, and engaging.

We have hired a team of Sunday School teachers, to provide consistent, dedicated and talented leadership. Our teachers are committed to providing, above-all, an experience of “God Loves You” for our students. If you have any questions about our Sunday School Program,
teaching style, or theology, please ask Rev. Laurie Manning.

Sarah Fong: Elementary School. Sarah Fong is a Senior at Bishop O’dowd High School. She runs 100 and 300 meter hurdles, has played classical piano for 12 years, was confirmed in the church (Catholic) in 2006, and her hobbies are reading, jigsaw puzzles, and river rafting. She has worked with her Father to deliver food with St. Vincent Depaul since the age of 8. Sarah loves spending time with her 23 cousins and entire family.For questions/comments contact slfong08(at)gmail.com.

Sarah Volk: Childcare
Skyline offers expert on-site childcare on Sunday Mornings, through Sarah Volk. Sarah is currently a junior at the College Preparatory School in Oakland. She is an experienced babysitter and has worked with kids of all ages. She especially enjoys working with toddlers because of their spunky attitudes and willingness to try new things. Although Sarah has never attended regular church services before working at Skyline Community Church, she considers herself a very spiritual person and is open to all types of practices. She is working with the toddlers on a church-based curriculum that focuses on playing, singing, creating, and storytelling. She believes that the most important thing for a toddler to know is that he or she is safe and loved by their family, friends, and God. Sarah looks forward to working with the toddlers and learning things from them as she teaches them.Childcare is available, upon request, at 8:30AM for choir members, with children, who wish to sing in our choir. (8:30AM-9:45AM). Childcare continues until11:30am, so that at any time during Worship, adults may bring children who are not attending Sunday School to Childcare.

Family Worship Sundays (Youth and Children Stay in Service)
October 7th, 2007: Indigenous People’s Sunday/Communion.November 4th, 2007: All Saint’s Sunday/CommunionDecember 2nd, 2007: CommunionFebruary 3rd, 2007: Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday/CommunionMarch 2nd, 2007: Communion

April 6th, 2007: Communion

May 4th, 2007: Communion

May 18th: Confirmation Sunday

UCC Camping ProgramsMany young people experience God’s spirit profoundly in nature, and through shared camping experiences. A wide variety of camping Camping programs are available for children and youth of all ages. (Link to NCNCUCC.org, youth page). We will be attending Middle School Retreat Jan 19th-20th, 2007, and Confirmation Camp March 8th-9th, 2007.

Confirmation: Confirmation classes are offered every few years. Since confirmation is an affirmation of one’s faith, our program involves a variety of experiences in which to explore our faith. These include overnight retreats with the UCC conference, mission projects, field trips to experience a variety of faith traditions, and required readings and meetings. We use the widely acclaimed UCC curriculum “Affirming our Faith.”

Family Events & ProgramsSkyline’s array of yearly events for Children, Youth and Families is rich and exciting. The school year begins with the Communion Bread Baking event, when our children and youth bake bread for the year’s Communion service, hike, play with friendly animals (including two goats!) and create wonderful craftwork.

Intergenerational programs We offer a wide variety of special intergenerational events throughout the year, check our upcoming events calendar regularly to stay tuned. These include:

The Blessing of the Animals (Fall) in honor of the Feast of St Francis, we celebrate all God’s creatures, and welcome the wider community Animals are an important part of our lives and the shared love of animals brings us together as community. Come join us for our blessing of the animals ceremony, in which we celebrate the sacred interconnection we have with all of life. Come and join us for as we meet your beloved animal family members. Join us for music, games, snacks, and most of all, to celebrate your precious beloved animals!

The Halloween party (Monday, Oct 29th 6 pm) Come join us for music, games, fellowship, treats (and a few tricks!) and fun, including a costume parade! Wear your costumes. Children and families especially welcome. Jointly hosted by Skyline church and preschool.

Christmas Party (Sunday, Dec 9th 2007) join us as we sing songs, share a delicious potluck meal, and visit with Santa! Crafts and games provided for children.

Easter Egg hunt.(April 23rd, 2007) Come join in the annual Easter Egg hunt, Easter Sunday morning at 11 am in front of the Gazebo.. Open to the public!

Earth Day celebration: (Spring) come join us as we celebrate the beauty of our planet, of nature, and of all creation. Potluck dinner, stories, crafts, and songs. Children and families especially welcome. Jointly hosted by Skyline church and preschool.

Spring Fling: (May, 3rd Saturday) a grand celebration, including booth games, silent auctions, a live band, cookout with barbecue and grilled burgers, hot dogs, chicken, salads and ice cream, face painting

Movie Nights for Families: once a month, potluck dinners and short, family friendly movies (rated G) , games and fellowship for families with children of preschool age and higher.

BAPTISMS:contact our minister, Reverend Laurie Manning at 510 531 8212