Children & Youth
“Youth ministry is not about getting things accomplished - only the act of God can bring about the transformation we seek. Youth ministry is about participating deeply in young people's lives as we await, together in suffering and joy, the coming of God.”
- Andrew Root, Unlocking Mission and Eschatology in Youth Ministry
Church of the Eternal Hills learns from children, youth, and young families. We know that EVERYONE in our community serves a vital role. At Church of the Eternal Hills you see children handing out communion, youth singing in our praise band, and young families sharing fellowship with each other outside of our worship times. We value all of our members and their gifts, no matter their age.
We take strong steps to keep our children and youth safe, so every adult who works with children has been background checked every 3 years. Additionally, there are policies in place to protect all of our vulnerable populations. We welcome volunteers once they have been a part of the church for six months. Contact: education@eternalhills.org for more information.
All Ages
Acolyte Ministry: Children and youth of all ages serve as Acolytes during worship service. Our older youth help direct our younger students. Together, they bring the light of Christ in and out of the chapel.
Baptisms: At CEH, we celebrate the baptism of infants, children, or adults with great joy! Please contact the office if you would like to have your infant or child baptized, and Pastor Paula will set up a time for you to meet with our elders for approval and to set a date.
Mystery Friends/Caring Friends: This ministry seeks to forge intergenerational relationships by pairing one adult and one child for a month-long time period. During this month, adults write clues and share gifts with their “Mystery Friend.” After the service, the child can pick up their clue and do some guessing! At the end of the month, we enjoy a big “Reveal Party” where the child learns the true identity of their “Mystery Friend.” At that point, the friendship turns into a “Caring Friend,” which means that the adult will continue to pray for their friend, guide them, encourage them to attend activities at church, and basically just stay in touch. We’ve seen some wonderful friendships maintained! Mystery Friends/Caring Friends Ministry typically takes place in February.
Service Station: During our Sunday fellowship, all are invited to participate in our “Service Station” where we work on a service project that will benefit others. Check our church calendar and on Facebook for the schedule and planned projects.
Birth – 3 years
Worship: Babies and children are welcome in our worship time. We know that our younger members have a lot to say at times and that is fine with us! We have set up a “prayer ground” at the front of the chapel. Parents are welcome to sit up by that table and to let their child float back and forth between the activities available there and their seat.
Nursery: Care is offered during Sunday Service if you feel that your child would enjoy playing with our nursery attendant outside of the sanctuary. To check in, meet out on the carpet in the children’s area of the foyer. Your child will enjoy playing until the service ends. Our fireside sitting area also offers a speaker broadcasting the service if that is more comfortable for you (and you would like to stay with your child).
Pre-K
A Time for Young Disciples: Preschool students will enjoy coming forward during service on Sundays for a quick and meaningful lesson. They are invited to stay at the prayer ground in the front of the chapel to participate in worship, praise, and other activities available up front.
Primary Grades (Kindergarten through Grade 5)
Vacation Bible School: During the summer, we partner with the Denver Presbytery’s Highlands Camp to provide Vacation Bible School. Check our calendar and Facebook page for the schedule and registration information.
Middle School Students (Grades 6, 7, 8)
youTHursday: youTHursday meets every Thursday at 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
YouTHursday consists of dinner, games, prayer, a short bible lesson and fellowship. The youth get to spend time as a larger group at our dinner time and then transition into age-based groups.
Julia Macchione, our Intentional Faith Development Director, leads the youth group with a volunteer from the congregation on Thursday evenings. Pastor Paula is involved in the youth group and leads at times and/or comes to participate in our games. This year, we have learned about our personal faith walks, our fears and how we can better respond in the world with our faith, our personality traits (using the Enneagram), and practiced different worship and prayer methods together. We have enjoyed getting to know one another and are looking forward to a new year of youth group activities come Fall 2019!
Confirmation Class: Students in Grade 8 and above can participate in Confirmation. This is a year-long commitment that involves regular attendance of worship, full participation in youTHursdays, and a class that meets during the school year. The students also get to choose a mentor to accompany them through the journey, and plan a project that they will complete over the year. Our Confirmation “Commissioning Service” is a huge event in the Fall, when we celebrate the commitment that our youth have made.
Fun Trips – Youth who have committed to youTHursday, Confirmation, or who regularly attend worship on Sundays are invited to join us for our occasional fun trip. Recent trips include Colorado Rockies Faith Day, hikes around RMNP, and a weekend trip to Glenwood Springs. We also occasionally attend school sporting events and concerts to support one another.
Service Projects – Our youth are great helpers around the church. Whether re-stocking the food pantry with the donations from church members, or laying down mulch on our “Prayer Path,” the youth learn that they can be the hands and feet of Christ and follow Jesus’ mandate to “Serve one another in love.” We keep in contact with our college aged students through sending them “Cram Boxes” packed with goodies to help them get through finals weeks in the fall and the spring.
Intentional Faith Development Committee: Students are welcome to be part of the leadership team for youTHursdays and other education programs for Church of the Eternal Hills. Our Intentional Faith Development Committee helps plan games, activities, special events, and helps our adult leaders choose topics to study.
Middle School Lunch, Wednesdays: On Wednesdays, Julia Macchione attends middle school lunch and brings the students a snack. This is a great way to get to know one another better and to see students who cannot typically come on a Thursday night.
High School Students (Grades 9 – 12)
youTHursday: youTHursday meets every Thursday at 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
YouTHursday consists of dinner, games, prayer, a short bible lesson and fellowship. The youth get to spend time as a larger group at our dinner time and then transition into age-based groups.
Julia Macchione, our Intentional Faith Development Director, leads the youth group with a volunteer from the congregation on Thursday evenings. Pastor Paula is involved in the youth group and leads at times and/or comes to participate in our games. This year, we have learned about our personal faith walks, our fears and how we can better respond in the world with our faith, our personality traits (using the Enneagram), and practiced different worship and prayer methods together. We have enjoyed getting to know one another and are looking forward to a new year of youth group activities come Fall 2019!
Intentional Faith Development Committee: Students are welcome to be part of the leadership team for youTHursdays and other education programs for Church of the Eternal Hills. Our Intentional Faith Development Committee gets to help plan games, activities, special events, and help our adult leaders choose topics to study.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study: High School students are welcome to join our morning Bible Study and devotional time over breakfast at 7 AM on Tuesday mornings during the school year. Transportation to school is provided for non-driving students.
Service Projects – Our youth are great helpers around the church. Whether it be through re-stocking the food pantry with the donations from church members, or laying down mulch on our “Prayer Path,” the youth learn that they can be the hands and feet of Christ, and follow Jesus’ mandate to “Serve one another in love.” We keep in contact with our college aged students through sending them “Cram Boxes” packed with goodies to help them get through finals weeks in the fall and the spring.
Praise Band: High School students with musical gifts are invited to help plan and play for the youth chapel band and can also play with our Sunday morning praise band.
Liturgists: Students who enjoy public speaking can help lead worship through reading the liturgy or scriptures.
Chancel Choir: Students aged 16 years and up are invited to sing in the chancel choir, which practices every Sunday morning.
Baccalaureate: Every year CEH helps to coordinate a service of worship and blessing for the graduating seniors of Middle Park High School and home-schooled students from across the county.
College Students and Young Adults
Cram Packages: Our deacons stay in touch with our college students by sending prayers and goodies in a Cram Package for Fall and Spring finals. If you have a student in college, make sure the church office has their contact information so they can be in on the fun!
YA YA’s: “Young Adults” meet over school breaks and holidays to reunite with each other and stay in touch with the church. Dates for upcoming events will be posted to the Facebook group
