Vintage

Youth ministry at First Congregational Church, Santa Cruz, comes in all forms and reaches out in many directions. 

We believe each person, each individual soul, is created in God's image – an image that is as diverse and dynamic as each part of God's creation.  All are welcome and no one is turned away: our circle is always an open one with room all the time for one more at the table we share.  We know, deep in our souls, that our journeys of faith are as different as the bodies we inhabit.  Some of us have joined the church through the UCC Confirmation program; some of us are not members and still have lots of questions about what it means to belong to a church; some of us come with our families; some of us come on our own: ALL of us know that this is a place where we can all be, no matter where we are on our own journeys of faith.  We believe that questions are important, that seeking the way of Jesus means we need each other, that there is always struggle and always joy to be found in our life with one another. 
 
Youth Groups and Programs
 
We have a thriving, intimate program for Middle School and Senior High School youth and for those who are exploring confirmation in the Christian faith within the UCC context. 

Generally, our gatherings on Sundays look like this:
    4:00-5:30 p.m.    Middle School program 
   6:00-7:30 p.m.    Senior High Program
   7:30-8:30 p.m.    Confirmation Program (see details on Confirmation)

There are some variations on scheduling depending on what else is happening on a particular weekend, and taking into account availability of staff and other commitments of time.  So, please contact Rev. Dave Grishaw-Jones at 426-2010.
 

Mission Trips

Each summer, the Senior High Youth Group participates in a week-long adventure that takes us beyond the Santa Cruz county community we call home to experience in person our connections to God's wider world.  The high school-age group chooses an experience in late fall they'd like to participate in for the following summer.  Most often, our summer trips occur in late June.  Participants include adults from the congregation, and youth who have just completed 9th-12th grade.  

Summer Adventures for Children, Youth, and Families
 
All summer we have barbecues, beach days, bike rides, and other intergenerational opportunities for the entire church family, regardless of family configuration.  These times we spend together remind us of the joy of the God-given diversity in our midst and the extravagant welcome into the wider church Family.  See the drop-down menus on this website for coming dates and activities and call 831 426-2010 to find out more.