4951 Soquel Drive, Soquel CA 95073-2430; 831.475.2867; office@ccsoquel.org

Aof Learning

It would be impossible to describe Congregational Church of Soquel apart from its long commitment to the work of educational ministry. In 1868, the year the church was founded, a Church School was established in a one-room facility. Today the joy of learning in a caring atmosphere of Christian community continues to be encouraged among children, youth, and adults. Our Church School, consisting of nursery through senior high classes, meets in attractive new facilities designed specifically for Christian education. After taking part in a brief children's time and participating in the opening moments of our worship services, children and youth continue with teachers who lead them through a curriculum informed by Scripture and patterned according to their ages and interests. Other opportunities for children include a weekday ministry in the fall and spring and our annual Vacation Bible Fun, scheduled each summer at our church.

ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Jesus invites his followers to be "disciples," a term that means "learners." Adults respond best when they participate in their learning, discovering how the meaning of faith points to a way of life characterized by creative forms of application. A lively curriculum is offered throughout the year that is designed to nurture this variety of spiritual formation. Classes consist of Bible Study and guided discussion on current literature and media relevant to the subject of Christian faith. Courses have featured many interesting themes and noted authors:

The Parables of Jesus: A Kerygma Study; Women of the Bible Study Guides Series; Traveling Mercies, by Anne Lamott; Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson; The Heart of Christianity, by Marcus Borg; Roadside Religion, by Timothy Beal; What Jesus Meant, by Garry Wills

YOUTH CHRISTIAN EDUCATION In addition to nursery care during worship services, our Church School includes classes from pre-K through senior high. Younger students participate in the opening liturgy and a children's time before continuing with teachers through a curriculum informed by Scripture and patterned according to their ages and interests. Our youth Christian education program is very active, contributing greatly to the outreach of Congregational Church of Soquel.