Have Fun, Make Friends, Get Involved!
Wednesday nights at Bethany are all about kids! Our youth programs are jam-packed with opportunities to have fun and learn with people your own age, from preschool through high school. Everyone is welcome to participate, so bring a friend from school or one of your soccer teammates and double the fun!
FW Friends (PreK - 5th Grade)
Wednesday 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
FaithWeaver, or FW, Friends provides elementary and preschool age children the chance to interact with other kids while learning important messages and values in a fun, creative environment. Every FW Friends gathering kicks off with an opening celebration. Adult leaders divide the children into small groups, or Circle of Friends, and each Circle participates in various discovery centers involving music, crafts or games. The children then have time for journaling or prayer with their Circle before the evening concludes with a closing celebration.
FW Friends meets on Wednesday evenings throughout the school year and breaks over the summer months. There is no charge for your child to attend, but we do ask that you pre-register. To sign up for this wonderful program, send us an e-mail at
Randi.Petrik@BethanyCR.org. You can even register the same day your children will be joining us. Simply call 319-364-6026.
CIA (6th - 8th Grade)Wednesday 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Sunday 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.
The secret is out-you can become a member of the CIA! But only if you're in middle school, and only if you're ready to have a great time with other kids your age.
The Bethany CIA (short for Christians In Action) meets every week at Sunday School and also on Wednesday nights during the school year for confirmation instruction. But that's just the beginning! The CIA also gets together for fun group activities like attending Cedar Rapids RoughRider games, competing in Sno-Olympics and even completing "missions" like Operation Resurrection, where we place crosses on Bethany members' lawns during the annual Easter celebration.
If you'd like to join in the fun, just have your Mom or Dad send an e-mail to
Youth@BethanyCR.org. They can get you signed up, and even request a schedule of upcoming events.
FISH (9th - 12th Grade)
Bible Study - Sunday 9:45 a.m.
You've made it to high school, and now you're the big fish in the pond. Why not make a really big splash as a member of the Bethany FISH?
The Bethany FISH (or Faithful In Serving Him) is for high school kids like you who want to enjoy the company and conversation of other teens. You'll experience all kinds of activities ranging from water park visits and church lock-ins to attending youth conferences and helping with community service events. It's your chance to make a difference--and have a great time doing it! In addition to special outings like these, there is Bible study every Sunday morning in the youth room.
Ready to jump in? Just ask your parents to send an e-mail to
Randi.Petrik@BethanyCR.org to get you registered or request a schedule of upcoming events.
SUNDAY SCHOOLBethany Sunday School gives children a place to open their hearts and minds while sharing in the love of Jesus. Our curriculum is carefully selected by Bethany's pastor, Sunday School superintendent and teachers, and varies by age group. There are Bible stories, songs and activities for little ones to more discussion-oriented classes for older kids that help them understand the deeper meaning of Bible truths and how they apply in our lives today.
Each week focuses on a different story or lesson. We study the same topic in one of our adult Sunday Morning Bible Classes, so parents and children can talk outside of class--learning about God while also learning about each other and from each other. Now that's family bonding!
Bethany Sunday School meets all year long and all children from the age of two through high school are welcome. Classes are segmented by age for most of the year, but groups may be combined during the summer months. There is no cost to attend, but free-will offerings collected every Sunday are donated to specific projects selected by Sunday School teachers and staff.
Annual registration is held late August. If you miss registration but would still like your child to attend, bring him or her to class, then visit the Sunday School office and take just a few minutes to complete a registration card. For more information, please call 319-364-6026 or email
Youth@BethanyCR.org.
