In The Spirit

-- Michele Marr

* Address: Bonita Creek Park Center, University and La Vida drives,

Newport Beach

* Telephone: (949) 640-7343

* E-mail: gailmiller4@adelphia.net

* Denomination: New Thought Movement, based on the principles of

Religious Science and Unity

* Year established: April 2001

* Service times: 10 a.m. Sunday

* Ministers: Gail Miller, senior minister; Stephen Albert, associate

minister

* Size of congregation: 20 to 40

* Makeup of congregation: Members are families with children; parents,

grandparents or other relatives with children from throughout Orange

County.

* Child care: All children stay with their adult family members.

* Type of worship: Child-age greeters meet people as they come. The

service includes songs, prayer and stories. Prayer is based on the

principles of Religious Science. The children participate in the services

as readers, ushers, prayer readers and musicians. Children participate in

arts and crafts projects or activities, associated with the morning’s

message, and everyone enjoys refreshments after the service.

* Type of message: The service and message aims to help children

discover God and learn spiritual principles in a fun and interactive way.

Messages use active visuals and songs to teach Bible parables,

inspirational stories and spiritual principles.

* Recent messages: The themes of Miller’s recent messages included

“Honoring Differences; Religious, Cultural and Physical.” Children

brought in pictures -- photos, newspaper clippings, drawings,

watercolors -- representing what God is, illustrating that God is in

everything.

* Upcoming services: On Palm Sunday, Miller will present the last week

of Jesus’ life, and there will be a special Passover meal.

* Dress: Comfortable

* Visitor Information: All visitors, adults and children, receive a

beaded friendship bracelet and guest packet.

* Church Programs: The church curretly offers pastoral counseling to

families and hopes to soon have parenting, prosperity and other classes.

* Outreach programs: The congregation supports a child in Tibet

through the Assn. for Global New Thought. It tithes to child and

family-centered causes of local organizations, such as the Make A Wish

Foundation and Share Our Selves.

* Mission statement: The Child Centered Church presents spiritual

principles in an interactive way that children can understand. Our goal

is to help children and families share the experience together and

discuss and apply the teachings and ideas during the week. We love,

serve, give and forgive.

* Interesting note: The first Sunday of each month is Talents

Abilities and Skills Sunday. Each child sings, dances, reads poetry or a

story, shares a model, craft or art project. That Sunday is also

Friendship Sunday, and the children are invited to bring their friends.