Youth Ministry at Orinda Community Church

We seek to nurture the faith of young people that they might come to recognize the presence of God within them, around them, and in community with one another and the world. The active presence of youth are valued and celebrated at Orinda Community Church! We create a variety of opportunities for youth to participate throughout the life of the church.

The Learning Community for Youth (our Sunday School)

We worship together as an intergenerational body at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday. Youth, grades 6-12, are encouraged to stay in worship with the rest of the congregation on the first Sundays of the month, where they are able to receive and participate in communion. On the second through fourth or fifth Sundays, Youth leave after the "children's sermon" time and continue in worship at Learning Community. They first join with the younger kids for a time of community check-in, welcoming new visitors, taking an offering for The Heifer Project, and sharing prayer requests. Then the youth head up to the Agape Learning Center for their own youth-focused time, where they engage the day's lectionary focus Scripture through creative projects, discussions, and connecting the text to current events with a caring Learning Community teacher. Our Learning Community seeks to inspire youths' spiritual experience while grounding them in the values and vocabulary of a progressive Christian faith.

Youth Group

Through the Youth Group program, we seek to provide a safe place where youth can belong and be loved. We seek to be equally inclusive and welcoming to all youth who participate in the program. Middle School and High School youth and their friends are invited to be a part of the youth group at OCC. Youth group offers a unique community experience where, freed from many of the social pressures they experience elsewhere, peers are able to relate to one another in deep and meaningful ways.

Special Activities

As an integral part of the youth group program, middle and high school youth participate in service projects, fundraisers, lock-ins, movies, and surprise adventures! Camps and retreats are offered as well as involvement with the United Church of Christ regional and national youth events. High school youth deepen their sense of service to their neighbors by participating in a summer mission trip. Serving God through service to others is an important part of our youth program. We also have a confirmation program for youth are interested in confirming their faith and formally joining the church. Confirmation is offered when there is a group of youth who are interested in making this commitment.

Musical Opportunities for Youth

We have a seasonal choir for young people during Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter. Rehearsals take place for 30 minutes following Learning Community for about a month in preparation for sharing their musical gifts in worship in order to celebrate a special church season.

For Parents of Youth

Parents can be involved by: promoting and supporting the program, offering supportive feedback, hosting a special event, providing snacks or a meal, teaching learning community (one month commitment), offering a program idea, driving, using individual talents for a particular task, praying for our young people and adult leaders, mentoring teens in areas of college and career, taking photos or video at an event, and by offering thanks.

Parents are supported by: receiving up-to-date information about events, open communication with the pastor to youth and families, parents' meetings, pastoral care, support in the spiritual nurture of your youth, crisis counseling, joint parent-youth nights, informal support from other OCC parents and the larger church community, and by receiving thanks.