WHAT WE TEACH OUR CHILDREN

We teach our children …

that God is Life—the Life within each of them and in all creation, that children of the One God—regardless of race, color, or creed—are all brothers and sisters.

that God is Love—that we love God because God loves us; we obey God’s laws through Love, not through fear.

that “sin” is really just a consequence of our choices, a mistake; and when we make mistakes, we are punished by them—not by God.

that God is Spirit and is present everywhere; that this Spirit is within us as our very own nature. It speaks through our own minds when we are willing to listen.

that religion is something that is to be used every day—not just on Sundays. We teach that Religious Science is a religion that can be used at home, at school, and at play; that God is within us, Heaven is within us; that if we learn to live our lives in harmony with Spiritual Laws, we live in Heaven NOW. We teach that God’s Love heals our sickness and hurt, if we believe.

that God is Truth, Beauty, Peace, Harmony, Joy, Wisdom, Creativity, Love, Intelligence, Order, and Abundance.

Our ChildrenThe continual growth in the number of children and youth here at our Sangha Youth and Family program is outpaced only by the joy in their parents’ hearts as they enjoy the way their children are learning how to love the Spirit of the qualities of God in all people. Our youth chorus and band, Sunday School classes, field trips, and winter & summer camps all provide opportunities for the principles taught here at Sangha to be “on-the-job-training” for self-esteem, personal responsibility, and the power to develop healthy relationships for youth from all walks of life, religious beliefs, and backgrounds.

Our intention is to provide a safe, spiritually educational, inclusive, fun place where adults model the behavior they teach—in such areas as forgiveness, effective listening, compassionate communication, daily spiritual practice, and personal financial stewardship. The most important thing that the Youth and Family program offers is the chance to learn how to volunteer—how to become a giver—how to enjoy making a difference in the lives of others. Whether raising funds for camps, volunteering at youth shelters, working with animals, serving lunches at church, or participating in the monthly Sunday Service sanctuary team (from ushering to giving announcements and everything in between)—the benefits of community service abound.

Just recently in 2008, we have begun sharing a “life-shop” series of Sunday afternoon gatherings where the whole family of children, teens, pre-teens, parents, caretakers, and community members all get together around a big table to eat, enjoy each other’s company, and discuss a wonderful book that centers around the principles of goodness and making a positive difference in life. After the meal, we break into groups and further share our common and uncommon experiences related to the readings.

Please be assured that, here at Sangha, all adults who work with our infants, children, pre-teens, and teens must provide information for the background checks that we run for the highest good of all. All children are safe here and strongly supported, while they learn and grow in their spiritual journey with us.

 
 

Youth Church is offered every Sunday during service, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Children are grouped as follows:

Nursery (0 to 2 years of age)
Preschoolers (3 to 5 years of age)
Elementary (6 to 9 years of age)
Preteens (10 to 12 years of age)
Teens (13 to 18 years of age)

Volunteer advisors facilitate lessons and interactive workshops, which are adapted from the 2007/2008 United Churches of Religious Science Curriculum and inspired by Reverend David’s morning messages.

 
 
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