Youth & Children


	Children and Youth Programming Erin Mills United Church offers age-appropriate faith-based programs that equip children and youth to bear witness to the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ. For information about specific programs and activities for children and youth Jump to: For Under 6s For Children Ages 3 to 8 For Youth Ages 9 to 13 For Youth Ages 14 and up Thursday Night Young Adult Youth Group Family Fun and Faith Events Baptism Confirmation Program Special Youth Projects and Programs Events for Youth and Children Childcare During most Sunday services, supervised childcare is provided for toddlers. Quiet Room A room adjoining the worship space is also provided for parents and infants as needed. A window offers a view of the worship space and speakers provide the audio from the service.While not sound-proof, the room limits noise from carrying. Baby Care A diaper changing table is available in the wheelchair-accessible washroom on the upper level just through the doors near the coffee area. Preschool Weekday Programs No weekday pre-school programs are available at this time. Note: Some services are intended for all ages. Youth programs may not be offered during those services. Check with the office for more information. EMU Club EMU Club offers Christian nurture for children ages 3 to 8. Our story-based curriculum “One Room Sunday School” explores the major stories of the Bible. Children engage the stories in age-appropriate ways: through arts and crafts, music, story-telling and games. The program provides a take-home activity so that learning continues at home. Our goal is help children experience God in the Bible story, explore God’s presence in their own lives and in the world. Junior Youth The Junior Youth program welcomes pre-teens and early teens (ages 9 to 13). The program resource is “Seasons Encore,” a curriculum developed for culturally diverse communities. The program is designed to encourage youth to explore their faith and their Christian identity through the stories of the Bible. Current social justice concerns and global issues are discussed from a faith perspective. Throughout the church year, the Junior youth are involved in dramas, music, sleepovers, bowling parties and other fun activities. Teen Talk This program strives to address the particular interests and faith exploration needs of youth ages 14 to 19. We have developed a Bible-based program that addresses issues such as: community building group dynamics the value gratitude community service a world of faith power and privilege and the history of Christianity Our program will also involve faith-based debates on topics such as “Christianity and War” and “Do all religions lead us back to God?” Youth are occasionally involved in worship leadership, drama and choir. This year our youth will develop a youth web page. Thursday Night Youth Group Thursday Night Youth programming is for high-school- and university-aged youth. The program includes recreational and creative faith formation activities. We look forward to developing a Youth web page along with other fun community-building activities. Family Fun and Faith Family Fun and Faith is a monthly Friday Night program (7 to 9 p.m.) that addresses the social, recreational and spiritual needs of young families in the wider community. The program is fun and very casual, with social time for parents and children. It includes faith-based activities such as crafts, story-telling, games, food and sometimes a movie. The program provides an opportunity for families in the community and the congregation to develop relationships and nurtures faith formation in a relaxed way. Confirmation Program Every second year, EMUC offers a Confirmation Program for youth who are 15 or older. The program is divided into four units which explore themes such as God the Bible Church history Jesus Christmas Easter Social Justice and the historic faith of the United Church of Canada The program integrates games, popular media, off-site activities and mentorship as integral to faith formation. At the end of the program youth may choose to make their first public profession of faith and formally become members of the United Church of Canada. Special Youth Projects and Programs Erin Mills United Church offers youth exceptional opportunities to explore their faith while helping others. Three notable past examples are: The 2011 Halifax "GO" Project In 2011, Erin Mills teen youth participated in a trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia where they provided help for community projects and explored their faith. The 2003 Habitat for Humanity Build In 2003, Erin Mills youth participated in a Habitat for Humanity build in Cleveland. The youth plastered, painted and learned about the value of decent housing, how individuals can make a difference, and about faith in action. The Jamaica Journey In August 1999, 9 youth and 3 leaders traveled to Mandeville, Jamaica. They were welcomed there by Ridgemount United Church. While there, the youth painted the inside of a local school for young children as a community improvement. They also led a day of stories, music and games for the children. Powerful prayer meetings and fellowship nights were followed by worship together on Sunday morning. And, of course, the group did go to the beach! Other Events for Children and Youth Christmas Events for Children and Youth Popular annual events for children include the Hanging of the Greens event, where families help to decorate the church for Christmas the Real Meaning of Christmas, where children help prepare gifts for others in the community the Christmas Pageant Erin Mills Scouts Group Erin Mills United Church sponsers the Third Erin Mills Group which operates 5 sections: Beavers, two Cub Packs, Scouts, and Venturers.