Children, Youth
and Family Ministry
The Children, Youth and Family Ministry Program at Center for Spiritual Living Northern Colorado is an open and accepting community for children ages birth through High School and their families.
We teach our kids that they are unique and important, loved and honored, valued and Divine. We value each child and appreciate them for who they are, right where they are. We encourage thinking, questioning and growth. We nurture our kid's creativity and individuality, while guiding them to answer big questions for themselves. CSL NOCO teaches our Youth that God/Spirit/Creator is always available and abundant, that they are created in perfection. Goodness is in each and every one of us, we are the faces and hands of God.
The curriculum for all ages aligns with the adult message each week to allow for deeper spiritual discussion at home!
The lessons are thoughtfully prepared by our teachers to ensure that individual needs are being met through meditation, mindful movement, music, games, discussion, art activities and projects.
Teens are encouraged to participate and contribute to the conversations and activities at their own comfort level. New teens are always welcome to jump in when they're ready.
The format for our time together includes spiritual mind treatment/affirmative prayer, a personal check-in, group discussions and some version of an experiential workshop with a focus on life choices with a spiritual or metaphysical aspect.
Our team of advisors support the group in peer lead activities, conversations and often workshops that bring enrichment, fun and a growth mindset.
Sunday Lessons
April 2024
April 7
Giant Gentleness
This Sunday, Youth will explore their “Giant Gentleness” by creating Gentle Giant creatures and writing imaginative stories about them!
April 14
Love Expressing Itself as the Other
Together, we'll experience a Buddhist loving-kindness meditation and chant. Then, Youth will have the opportunity to explore all of the kinds of love in their own lives with a fun art project!
April 21
Harnessing Strength with Heart
The heart is the hardest working muscle in the body! Youth will participate in heart- centered experiments, a guided meditation, and learn to use the strength of their hearts to increase the love in their lives!
April 28
Being Gentle with Ourselves
Youth will tune into their bodies during a guided visualization to examine all of the amazing things we are capable of! We'll focus our attention on how truly miraculous and magical we are with a creative project. We'll come home with lots of affirmations that will assist us when we notice we aren't being as gentle with ourselves as we could be.
Brooke Minkel
Director of Children, Youth & Families
Brooke graduated with a K6 Teaching Certification and a BS in Human Communication from the University of Northern Colorado, and has been teaching in Northern Colorado since 2001. She loves lesson planning and developing curriculum to educate kids on how amazing they are. She encourages each child to love being themselves, and does this through meditation, music, movement and activities. Brooke creates connections with every child in order to individualize the lesson plans and meet specific needs.
Brooke is an Independent Facilitator for the Love and Logic Institute and teaches workshops throughout Northern Colorado designed for educators and parents. She also designed and organizes Camp Creative, a weeklong experience for children ages 5-12.
Originally from Denver, she now lives in Fort Collins with her family.
