Sunday Care, Classes & Groups for Children & Youth
September 10, 2023 through May 19, 2024
Childcare
Childcare is provided by attentive adult and youth staff during both Sunday morning worship services for children ages 6 months to PreK. We enfold our youngest members in the warmth of our community, encourage their explorations, and share in their joy and wonder. To ensure adequate space and staff to provide a safe and positive experience for all, registration is required.
Religious Education
From Kindergarten through high school, children and youth are offered age-appropriate Religious Education classes that support their spiritual development. In order to engage kids with different interests, each class has a variety of activities on Sunday mornings, including stories, singing, sharing joys and sorrows, spiritual practices such as prayer and meditation, games, crafts and hands-on projects.
At every age, the foundation of Religious Education is the co-creation of an inclusive community that reflects Unitarian Universalist values:
At every age, the foundation of Religious Education is the co-creation of an inclusive community that reflects Unitarian Universalist values:
- affirming the inherent worth and dignity of each individual
- valuing the love that is at the foundation of all kinds of families
- searching for truth and meaning from many sources
- encouraging each person's free and responsible exploration of big ideas
- treating one another with compassion and respect
- making choices that reflect our values
- listening to the still, small voice of our hearts
- harnessing our power to create a world with more love, more joy, and more justice
Curriculum, Fall 2023-Spring 2024
Chalice Children, Kindergarten and 1st grade
Kindergarten and 1st grade children learn that church is a fun place full of friends of all ages through playful Chalice Children lessons. They become familiar with our space and the rhythm of our Sunday mornings together, sharing stories, arts and crafts, circle time, and plenty of time to play.
Our Whole Lives (OWL), optional for 1st graders
Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a special unit of seven lessons, grounded in UU values, that provide age-appropriate information about birth, babies, bodies and families. Parents and caregivers learn more about the curriculum and enroll their 1st graders in OWL at a mandatory orientation to the program. The 1st grade class will run from February-March. (More information will be provided to all registered 1st grade families in December.)
Rainbow Path, 2nd-5th grade
Children in 2nd-5th grade travel the Rainbow Path, which introduces the Eight Principles of Unitarian Universalism as a guide to making choices, caring for others, creating a fair and peaceful world, and being true to oneself. Each of the colors of the rainbow is linked with a UU Principle in simple, memorable language. Kids are invited to explore the themes through their choice of stories, games, crafts and service projects.
2nd-5th graders learn what it means to be in religious community, with opportunities for fellowship and friendship, sharing stories, creative expression, ritual, and service and social justice projects. Each Sunday features a variety of choices, including an arts, crafts or building project; a game and movement activity; and a library, board games and Legos space. We trust each child to find their place in the community each week, depending on their mood and interests, with plenty of support from welcoming adults and youth staff who ensure a safe, responsive and inclusive environment for spiritual growth and learning.
Our Whole Lives, optional for 5th graders
Nine weeks are devoted to a special unit as 5th graders explore lessons from the age-appropriate Our Whole Lives (OWL) sexuality curriculum, taught by trained facilitators. Before each Sunday morning session, children have homework to read with caring adults at home. Parents and caregivers learn more about the lesson content and enroll their 5th graders in OWL at a mandatory orientation to the program. The classes will run from February-May. (More information will be provided to all registered 5th grade families in December.)
Taking Our Places and Rites of Passage, 6th grade
Taking Our Places (September-December) teaches 6th graders about the ministries of First Universalist -- including hospitality, worship, pastoral care, faithful action, and spiritual growth -- and gives them the chance to serve their church community in one of these areas.
Rites of Passage (January-May) includes lessons to help 6th graders navigate change with grace and confidence, remaining true to their values, leaning into the love of their families, expressing their authentic selves, and accepting new responsibilities and privileges at home and in the larger world. As they complete their elementary Religious Education years, Rites of Passage youth review the history and core values of Unitarian Universalism to ensure a solid foundation as they enter First U's Youth Program. The unit closes with a Rites of Passage ritual for participants and their families.
Neighboring Faiths, 7th grade
Seventh graders take a year-long journey in Neighboring Faiths, a world religions program to deepen their understanding of the dynamic, fascinating, and varied world in which we live. It seeks to broaden their knowledge of humanity and embolden their spiritual search. Participants are encouraged to explore the intersection of race, culture, class and religion, and to develop an appreciative outlook toward other faiths and the people who follow them. Workshops lovingly and reverently examine the most-practiced religious traditions of our neighbors, and are paired with visits to nine nearby faith communities throughout the year.
Our Whole Lives Sexuality (OWL), 8th grade
The year-long Our Whole Lives (OWL) curriculum for middle schoolers helps our 8th graders make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, Our Whole Lives not only provides facts about anatomy and human development, but also helps participants clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality.
Parents and caregivers attend a mandatory orientation in early September. In order to create a safe environment and to allow learning to build through the year, youth must be enrolled in Fall in order to attend OWL classes. Eighth graders who start mid-year are placed in the Neighboring Faiths class.
Coming of Age, 9th grade
9th graders participate in a capstone Religious Education class common in UU churches, called Coming of Age (COA). Together, they build a religious community to hold their deep dive into core theological questions, exploring their beliefs about what gives life meaning, what they value and trust, what a "good" life looks like, and who they are called to be in the world. A variety of experiences -- from retreats to workshops, from group discussions to conversations with mentors and ministers -- are designed to help our young people name and claim their values and religious identities. The year culminates with a celebratory worship service in which our COA youth share their personal reflections with the congregation.
Coming of Age meets during the 9 a.m. service only.
Senior High Youth Group, 9th-12th grade
High school students in 9th-12th grades are invited to drop-in to the Senior High Lounge (room 211) between services for snacks, drinks, and time to relax in community. Join us between 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. on Sunday mornings to reconnect and debrief from our busy weeks.
Occasionally the Senior High Youth Group attends the 11 a.m. worship service together, shares a meal, or gathers at a time outside of the 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. time slot. Please email Allison, our Interim Director of Children, Youth, & Family Ministries, to stay up-to-date on the latest offerings for our Senior High Youth.
Trained adult staff and volunteer facilitators guide the Senior High Youth Group as they develop skills to give, receive, and grow in the context of authentic, mutual relationships at church and in the larger community. In addition, the newly formed Youth Leadership Team is collaborating with adult staff and volunteers to plan additional opportunities for the Senior High Youth Group to gather throughout the year.
Kindergarten and 1st grade children learn that church is a fun place full of friends of all ages through playful Chalice Children lessons. They become familiar with our space and the rhythm of our Sunday mornings together, sharing stories, arts and crafts, circle time, and plenty of time to play.
Our Whole Lives (OWL), optional for 1st graders
Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a special unit of seven lessons, grounded in UU values, that provide age-appropriate information about birth, babies, bodies and families. Parents and caregivers learn more about the curriculum and enroll their 1st graders in OWL at a mandatory orientation to the program. The 1st grade class will run from February-March. (More information will be provided to all registered 1st grade families in December.)
Rainbow Path, 2nd-5th grade
Children in 2nd-5th grade travel the Rainbow Path, which introduces the Eight Principles of Unitarian Universalism as a guide to making choices, caring for others, creating a fair and peaceful world, and being true to oneself. Each of the colors of the rainbow is linked with a UU Principle in simple, memorable language. Kids are invited to explore the themes through their choice of stories, games, crafts and service projects.
2nd-5th graders learn what it means to be in religious community, with opportunities for fellowship and friendship, sharing stories, creative expression, ritual, and service and social justice projects. Each Sunday features a variety of choices, including an arts, crafts or building project; a game and movement activity; and a library, board games and Legos space. We trust each child to find their place in the community each week, depending on their mood and interests, with plenty of support from welcoming adults and youth staff who ensure a safe, responsive and inclusive environment for spiritual growth and learning.
Our Whole Lives, optional for 5th graders
Nine weeks are devoted to a special unit as 5th graders explore lessons from the age-appropriate Our Whole Lives (OWL) sexuality curriculum, taught by trained facilitators. Before each Sunday morning session, children have homework to read with caring adults at home. Parents and caregivers learn more about the lesson content and enroll their 5th graders in OWL at a mandatory orientation to the program. The classes will run from February-May. (More information will be provided to all registered 5th grade families in December.)
Taking Our Places and Rites of Passage, 6th grade
Taking Our Places (September-December) teaches 6th graders about the ministries of First Universalist -- including hospitality, worship, pastoral care, faithful action, and spiritual growth -- and gives them the chance to serve their church community in one of these areas.
Rites of Passage (January-May) includes lessons to help 6th graders navigate change with grace and confidence, remaining true to their values, leaning into the love of their families, expressing their authentic selves, and accepting new responsibilities and privileges at home and in the larger world. As they complete their elementary Religious Education years, Rites of Passage youth review the history and core values of Unitarian Universalism to ensure a solid foundation as they enter First U's Youth Program. The unit closes with a Rites of Passage ritual for participants and their families.
Neighboring Faiths, 7th grade
Seventh graders take a year-long journey in Neighboring Faiths, a world religions program to deepen their understanding of the dynamic, fascinating, and varied world in which we live. It seeks to broaden their knowledge of humanity and embolden their spiritual search. Participants are encouraged to explore the intersection of race, culture, class and religion, and to develop an appreciative outlook toward other faiths and the people who follow them. Workshops lovingly and reverently examine the most-practiced religious traditions of our neighbors, and are paired with visits to nine nearby faith communities throughout the year.
Our Whole Lives Sexuality (OWL), 8th grade
The year-long Our Whole Lives (OWL) curriculum for middle schoolers helps our 8th graders make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, Our Whole Lives not only provides facts about anatomy and human development, but also helps participants clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality.
Parents and caregivers attend a mandatory orientation in early September. In order to create a safe environment and to allow learning to build through the year, youth must be enrolled in Fall in order to attend OWL classes. Eighth graders who start mid-year are placed in the Neighboring Faiths class.
Coming of Age, 9th grade
9th graders participate in a capstone Religious Education class common in UU churches, called Coming of Age (COA). Together, they build a religious community to hold their deep dive into core theological questions, exploring their beliefs about what gives life meaning, what they value and trust, what a "good" life looks like, and who they are called to be in the world. A variety of experiences -- from retreats to workshops, from group discussions to conversations with mentors and ministers -- are designed to help our young people name and claim their values and religious identities. The year culminates with a celebratory worship service in which our COA youth share their personal reflections with the congregation.
Coming of Age meets during the 9 a.m. service only.
Senior High Youth Group, 9th-12th grade
High school students in 9th-12th grades are invited to drop-in to the Senior High Lounge (room 211) between services for snacks, drinks, and time to relax in community. Join us between 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. on Sunday mornings to reconnect and debrief from our busy weeks.
Occasionally the Senior High Youth Group attends the 11 a.m. worship service together, shares a meal, or gathers at a time outside of the 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. time slot. Please email Allison, our Interim Director of Children, Youth, & Family Ministries, to stay up-to-date on the latest offerings for our Senior High Youth.
Trained adult staff and volunteer facilitators guide the Senior High Youth Group as they develop skills to give, receive, and grow in the context of authentic, mutual relationships at church and in the larger community. In addition, the newly formed Youth Leadership Team is collaborating with adult staff and volunteers to plan additional opportunities for the Senior High Youth Group to gather throughout the year.