Worship for Children
We offer three kinds of worship experiences for children:
On most Sunday mornings children attend the first 15-20 minutes of the regular worship service in the Church sanctuary. They participate in the Reflection for All Ages portion of the service, then leave with their teachers for their classes.
When starting in the Fellowship Building instead of the sanctuary, children meet as a large group for a special children's worship, usually led by the Director of Religious Education. This is a child-specific service with singing, readings, reflections, meditation, and candle lighting
The third form of worship for children is intergenerational. These Sunday services are usually on or around religious holidays or on other special days when the minister and the DRE lead all-church worship in the sanctuary.
Families are encouraged to talk at home about the sacredness of the sanctuary space, the meaning of our rituals and symbols, and the importance of silent reflection in worship. We appreciate everyone's modeling for and patience with our youngest participants.
Reminders about starting locations for children are listed in the Belfry newsletter and on the sign at the top of the Fellowship Building driveway each week.
Nursery Care
The nursery, for infants to 3-year-olds, offers a comfortable and safe haven for our youngest children. Located in the Fellowship Building, it is open at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings and closes promptly at 11:30 a.m. Feel free to stay as long as needed while your child becomes acquainted with our caregivers. The nursery is staffed by two youth caregivers (10th grade or older). Children must be registered to stay in the nursery.
Classes for 2011-2012
Preschool and Kindergarten – Treasure Hunting Take Two
Through games, crafts, songs and stories, children will explore themes which illustrate Unitarian Universalist principles. The first part of the year is focused on valuing our own and others’ thoughts and feelings. The second half of the year, the focus will turn to explore the treasures in our church, our faith, the world community, and the interconnected web of life. Central to this program is the use of a class treasure chest, which holds “treasures” or symbols of each week’s lesson theme.
1st and 2nd Grades – Creating Home
This program helps children develop a sense of home that is grounded in faith. Together with their group, children will ask questions about the purpose of having a home and the functions a home serves, for us as humans and for other animals. The program speaks of home as a place of belonging and explores the roles each of us play in the homes where we live. The program introduces the concept of a "faith home" — the congregation — which shares some characteristics with a family home. Like a family home, a faith home offers its members certain joys, protections, and responsibilities.
In these sessions, children explore the deep sense of sacredness, the beauty of hospitality, and the gift of loving relationships that a home can represent. We strive to nurture a sense of home within the classroom, church and faith.
3rd, 4th, and 5th Grades – Moral Tales
What does it mean to be just and good? By way of stories, hands on activities and rituals, Moral Tales exposes children to UU values, ethical beliefs, and spiritual practices. Moral Tales presents children with moral dilemmas and gives them tools to discern truth and justice. With an emphasis on love and compassion, the program nurtures a child’s sense of generosity, hospitality and nonviolence. This program introduces and reinforces concepts such as interdependence, conscience, faith, empathy, forgiveness, awe, respect, responsibility, courage, perseverance, cooperation, ecological balance, and fairness. We hope that this course will strengthen and challenge each child's moral compass.
Social Action
Social action and justice are ongoing parts of the children and youth programs. Children discuss, research, develop, and participate in at least one project that will address social inequalities in our church, our community, or beyond. Empathy, compassion, and the satisfaction of knowing that we can make a difference are the goals of these endeavors. Youth participate in annual social service projects such as the City Year Serv-A-Thon and the Walk for Hunger.
Children's Choir
Join us in song! The Children's Choir, directed by Eleanor Toth, is for all interested children in first through sixth grades. We rehearse on Sundays. Children learn new songs and perform at special worship services during the year. A schedule of rehearsals is posted in the Fellowship Building.
More info
RE Committee
The Children's Religious Education Committee works in partnership with the Director of Religious Education to plan, carry out, and assess the programs, classes, and special events specific to children, nursery through fifth grade. Committee meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Building. Visitors are most welcome The Religious Education Committee upholds Unitarian Universalist values by presenting religious education and spiritual growth opportunites for our children. We make the RE mission possible by:
- Supporting the church's mission;
- Assisting our children and youth in building a strong spiritual foundation;
- Offering age-apporpriate curricula;
- Sponsoring intergeneratioinal activities;
- Providing opportunities for ritual and worship;
- Promoting social action involvement;
- Creating a fun, safe, and nurturing environment.
Committee members for 2011-12 are Kate Stamm and Kate Jones-Mollod (co-chairs), Alicia McHigh, David Neville, Charlotte Winchell, and Liza Spisto (DRE).