Fun at our picnic!
Nursery
The nursery provides infants and toddlers through age 4 with a caring atmosphere in which to be creative, to hear stories, to play together, to just look around, or even sleep. Care from paid staff members is provided from 10:15 until after service.
Children
Children & Youth Faith Formation
On Sunday morning, families begin together in worship at 10:30 AM. This is a weekly opportunity to share rituals of our faith: singing, lighting the chalice, learning our covenant, and hearing a story with a message for all ages in our church community. Those remaining in the sanctuary bless our children and youth on the way to their classes around 10:45 AM. Youth Faith Formation runs September through May, and are one hour in length, ending at 11:45. Childcare is provided in the nursery every Sunday for little ones ages 0-4.
Programming for 2017-2018 year:
Pre-K & Kindergarten: Chalice Children affirms young children in their spiritual growth, creativity, and connection to their Unitarian Universalist congregation through songs, stories, and shared experiences.
Elementary: In Spirit of Adventure, UU Identity is learned through teachable moments such as dissecting a computer, building cantilevered architecture using graham crackers, interviewing a sports coach, and circus arts – to name a few.
Middle School: The Lodestone Year will magnetize middle schoolers with games, food activities, skits, science experiments, as well as arts and crafts. This brand new curriculum dives into tough topics with units on money, death, and race. Additional to Sunday morning peer group time, family conversations and social nights are scheduled monthly.
High School: Youth are invited to participate in a 4-year Leadership Track in the areas of Spiritual Development, Community Leadership, and/ or Social Justice. Teens and their parents are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the Director of Religious Education and Minister to discuss and plan collaborations and opportunities available throughout the year.
Children’s Chapel is a time to explore our congregation’s monthly ministry theme in a worship experience just for kids. Theme-based ministry nurtures a connection throughout all church programming. Monthly themes bridge all generations and expands faith formation beyond Sunday morning.
We create all ages worship services several times throughout the year. These services are designed for our whole church community to worship together. They are intentionally inclusive for various abilities and learning styles. We hope our worship experience invites the transforming power of love in a celebration of humanity and an invitation to spiritual exploration.
Registration
Parents and guardians are required to complete a registration form for children and youth. The registration form is available online (link), from the Director of Religious Education, and on the RE clipboard at the Welcome Table.
Our Youth RE program is cooperative: parents are expected to volunteer as a teacher, classroom aide, RE Committee member, or volunteer for special events. We also encourage individuals without children in the program to serve as RE volunteers. Volunteer information is here.
