Programs /

Children & Youth /

GCBC's youth and children's programs are designed to give each young person opportunity to develop mentally, socially and spiritually.

Eastside Story Guild
Fridays, 3:45 - 6:00 pm, (The 2007 –2008 season will run September 28 – December 14 and January 25 – June 6)

Each week kids ranging in age from kindergarten through high school share a meal, work on a performing or visual arts skill, hear a story from God’s Word, prepare a dramatic presentation, and pray in small groups with a spiritual mentor. Twice yearly their dramatic enactments of scripture are presented during the regular service of worship.

Sunday Children's Programming
Sundays, during morning (10:30 am) & evening (6 pm)worship services

Nursery
(Birth through walking)
A change table and crib are available. A place for parents to be with their babies. The sermon can be heard through a speaker.

Toddler Room
(Ages walking to 3 years old)
Parents and volunteers stay with children during the sermon portion of the service. A story is read, snack offered.

Children’s Church: A place of worship just for kids
(Classes for children ages 3 to grade 4)
During the sermon time for morning and evening congregations. Children are invited to participate in a class where stories from the Bible are presented in a visual storytelling format. There is then opportunity to respond to scripture as they wonder together, respond with art and craft materials, or other materials provided. The children “feast” together following a time to give thanks & pray for each other. The program is designed along the “Godly Play” structure which is based on the Montessori method of education.

The Edge
(Grades 5-7, on the edge of youth group)
Sundays, twice a month during the sermon time for the morning congregation. Getting into the bible and talking about life issues.

Soul Purpose (Youth Group)
Friday evenings & other times during the school year
For teens in grades 8-12, a number of activities are offered from bowling to breakfasts, sports to service opportunities, mission trips to mall finds. Leaders offer Bible teaching and mentoring as these young people work through the many issues they face. Go to the Soul Purpose website

Camp Grace
After-School Tutoring, During the school yr., M-Th, 3-6 pm, F, 12-3 pm
This program through Urban Promise offers individual and small group tutoring, crafts, snacks, games, Bible lessons and story-telling for Grades 1- 7. For more information about Urban Promise, visit www.urbanpromise.ca

Summer Camp
6 weeks Jul-Aug, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
This day camp through ‘Urban Promise’ offers crafts, cooking, outdoor activities & trips, Bible lessons & music for children going into grades 1-7. Teens can apply to be ‘street leaders’ – assistant leaders in training.

Adult Education & Spiritual Formation /

We seek to offer Christian education opportunities to people of all ages so they may grow spiritually, gain a greater understanding of the Bible and learn to approach issues and relationships from a Christian perspective.

Roots & Wings Parenting
2nd Saturday of the month, 10 am – noon
Roots and Wings is intended to assist parents of faith, being and conveying Christ to their children in how they parent. Beginning with mingling, the morning combines a presentation and facilitated discussion. Materials are provided for reflection.

Faith & Baptism Classes
Sunday mornings, Lent - Easter (February - April)
This annual class follows a discussion format, exploring the life of faith and meaning of baptism – helpful for those investigating faith & Christianity or for those who have not considered the way of Christ for some time.

Prayer

Healing Prayer:
Sessions by appointment available: At times, as followers of Jesus, we become aware of blockages and hurdles in our spiritual journey. Opportunity is provided to explore what healing prayer is, to pray healing prayers with 1-2 others, and to be specifically guided through these blockages.

Reflective / Directed Prayer:
Opportunities for solitary reflective prayer, lectio divina, and guided retreats are available through Stillpointe, a place of prayer and retreat in the City.

Spiritual Direction:
Spiritual mentoring and companionship are made available through Stillpointe, a place of prayer and retreat in the City.

Responsive Prayer:
Following Sunday sermons, opportunity for prayer is provided at the front of the church sanctuary.