Children's Classes
Religious Education classes for children, Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade, are offered during the 11:15 service only. Childcare is available at 9:15. Nursery care for children ages 3 and under is available during both the 9:15 and 11:15 services.Pre-K - Chalice Children (Full Year)
Following the premise that children learn best through direct experience, "Chalice Children" is designed to nurture children’s spiritual growth, creativity and connection to their UU community by involving them in hands-on rituals – rhymes, games & other activities. Young ones are introduced to the UU chalice, discover the concepts of birth and death, explore the great forces of nature and the difference between animate and inanimate things and consider how to make choices and overcome difficulties.
K-1st - Creating Home (Fall) Wonderful Welcome (Spring)
"Creating Home" helps participants develop a sense of home that is grounded in faith by introducing the concept of a "faith home" — our congregation — which shares some characteristics with a family home and offers certain joys, protections, and responsibilities. Participants will explore the deep sense of sacredness, the beauty of hospitality, and the gift of loving relationships that a home can represent via stories from Unitarian Universalist and other traditions, hands-on activities, and structured opportunities for questioning, reflecting, and self-expression. The program introduces participants to UU heritage, including rituals, songs, and traditions of our faith, and stories about UUs whose words, songs, and deeds have helped to shape the faith home that participants share.
"Wonderful Welcome" challenges participants to explore how and why we are willing to welcome others into our lives by welcoming not only strangers, but family, peers, neighbors and even entities that are not people such as our animal friends and nature itself. This program helps children understand and practice other values central to Unitarian Universalism such as friendship, hospitality, and fairness.
2nd-3rd - Faithful Journeys (Fall) UU SuperHeroes (Spring)
"Faithful Journeys" takes a pilgrimage of faith, exploring how Unitarian Universalism translates into life choices and everyday actions via historic or contemporary examples of Unitarian Universalist faith in action. Through sessions structured around the Unitarian Universalist principles, Faithful Journeys demonstrates that UU principles are not a dogma, but a credo that individuals can affirm with many kinds of action. Participants discover a unity of faith in the many different ways Unitarian Universalists, including themselves, can act on our beliefs.
"UU SuperHeroes" introduces UU’s who have acted with courage and wisdom in their attempts to live their lives fully and make the world a better place. Via “theology as biography”, the curriculum shows how the lives of these people confirm the principles that UU’s strive to promote.
4th-5th - Windows & Mirrors (Fall) Spirit of Adventure (Spring)
"Windows and Mirrors" nurtures participant's ability to identify their own experiences and perspectives and to seek out, care about and respect those of others. The sessions unpack topics that lend themselves to diverse experiences and perspectives—for example, faith heritage, public service, anti-racism and prayer. The program teaches that there are always multiple viewpoints and everyone's viewpoint matters. The metaphor of windows and mirrors represents the dynamic relationship among our awareness of self, our perceptions of others, and others' perceptions of us.
“What? No more gold sprayed macaroni bible verses?!” "Spirit of Adventure" explodes the old definition of Sunday School with different kinds of learning – learning from physical movement, challenge and adventure – develop and foster UU identity by exploring lives which exemplify UU principles.
6th-7th Middle School Group - Traditions with a Wink (Full Year)
"Traditions with a Wink" teaches an understanding of UU faith that can replace the vague “anything we want to be” statement with “We come from a long tradition of questioning and searching, loving and kindness and good works.” Underpinning the curriculum is “A Chosen Faith”, by John A. Buehrens and Forrest Church.
8th Grade - Coming of Age
8th graders join "Coming of Age," which will meet on Sunday mornings during the 11:15 service. Through COA, our congregation fosters the transition of its children from childhood to youth. Participants will investigate their personal spirituality to develop a greater sense of what they believe.
Throughout the year, Junior Youth participate in social action events, such as running the UNICEF Carnival haunted house, as well as fun, confidence-building social events.
Grades 9-12 - Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU)
YRUU meets regularly with our Sr. High Youth Coordinator, Beth Summanen, and a dedicated team of volunteer advisors during the 11:15 service following For All Ages. YRUU sessions begin with a chalice lighting and reading, discussion of a topic of interest, and sharing of personal experiences during a check in. The group elects a Youth Steering Committee (YSC) to develop the Sunday morning programs, and organize social activities, service projects, and conferences. Sessions are held in the Youth Room in the Carriage House. YRUU holds "lock-ins" at the Church, attends district conferences and undertakes field trips.