Christian Formation

Christian formation is a lifelong journey, a way of being in the world and with one another undergirded by our faith. We are intentional about this formation at CBC. Rather than adhering to ready-made answers, we expand and deepen our understanding of God through worship, prayer, and our experiences, and through learning experiences where scripture, the stories of Jesus, and thematic topics are explored. Learning Community (aka “Sunday School”) is a recurring way that we engage with one another. These opportunities offer adults and children the chance to grow and share insights with one another along our journeys of faith.


Children’s Learning Community

Valuing the faith development of children, we offer Learning Community each Sunday during worship (10 a.m.). We use the Shine Curriculum, through which “we welcome children to a place where they are known and loved, where their questions are taken seriously, and where they can gather to hear God’s story and together find meaning for their lives.” 

Our classrooms include extensive art supplies for children to connect with their developing artistic abilities and are updated with excellent resources for playing and interacting with other children. Our teachers are experienced, creative, and great with kids. We take safety seriously, and all of our employees and volunteers have obtained background clearances.

Adult Learning Community

Adult Learning Community typically occurs on Sunday afternoons or a weeknight on Zoom. Using this technology, persons from across the country (and around the globe!) are able to participate. At times we hold sessions in person. Learning Communities are led by persons who teach from the wealth of their knowledge and experience and invite participants into robust and thoughtful discussions.

See the calendar for current and upcoming Learning Communities.

Recent topics have included series and stand-alone topics on:

An in-person presentation about Jitokeze Wamama Wafrika by founder Pini Kidulah. The organization, which has deep connections to CBC, empowers marginalized girls and women in West Pokot, Kenya, to overcome poverty and improve their resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Not Counting Women and Girls: Neglected Stories from the Bible by Megan McKenna with Lynn Wolcott.

Sacred Nature: Restoring Our Ancient Bond with the Natural World by Karen Armstrong, led by multiple members of CBC’s Ecology Faith in Action Team.

“The Origins of Lent: Meanings and Similarities in the Practices and the Developments through the History of its Observances,” with CBCer Grant Ward, Hebrew Bible scholar.

Sinless Sex: A Challenge to Religions: Offering science-based information about sexuality, this book corrects misinformation found in many religions, offering a new way of thinking. Bill Stayton, a former CBCer, is a renowned author, sexologist, and ordained American Baptist clergy.