Coming of Age Youth Program (Click here for information flyer)
Please attend the free COA Informational Meeting on
July 25, 2010
11:30 – 12:30!
Childcare is available.
Religious Education Summer Calendar
Religious Education Summer Calendar
August 2010
Sunday, August 1
9:45-11:30 Childcare available - age 5 & under
10:00-11:15 RE Summer ArtWorks - Crafts
Sunday, August 8
9:45-11:30 Childcare available - age 5 & under
10:00-11:15 RE Summer ArtWorks- Crafts
After Service Clowns & Popsicles!!
Sunday, August 15
9:45-11:30 Childcare available - age 5 & under
10:00-11:15 ALL AGES HARVEST EXCHANGE SERVICE
After Service RE Committee Meeting
Sunday, August 22
9:45-11:30 Childcare available - age 5 & under
10:00-11:15 RE Summer ArtWorks – Theatre
11:15–12:00 RE Youth Art Show in Auditorium
11:45-1:00 Our Whole Lives (OWL) Awareness Meeting
Sunday, August 29
9:45-11:30 Childcare available - age 5 & under
10:00-11:15 RE Summer ArtWorks – Theatre
Sunday Morning Programs — 9:30 AM from September to May
RE programs take place during the 9:30 service and they end about 15 minutes after the end of the worship service. Parents need to sign in and sign out their children.
The RE Welcome Table is staffed by a member of the RE committee in the 20 minutes before the service begins. There you can sign in your child and get a registration form, which is essential to supporting our children, youth, parents, volunteer leaders and staff.
Professional Nursery Care in Room 11
At every service and special event, we have childcare available for children up to age 5.
Story Time — Preschool and Kindergarten
Experienced UUSS volunteers, including young parents and elder sages, spend time reading age-appropriate stories to the kids. They then have a time of "Wondering" — questions for connection and reflection together. The Story Time room connects to Room 11, so the younger ones are free to wander, if they can't sit still for Wondering.
Spirit Play for Grades 1-5
This year for the first time, we launch Spirit Play -a ritual-based method to promote community-building, spiritual reflection, and fun. Based on some of the Montessori teaching principles, this Unitarian Universalist program teaches our liberal religious traditions and values through stories and wondering together. Parent orientation is required. Learn about it at www.SpiritPlay.net.
Junior High and High School Programs
The curriculum for grades 6-8 has been developed by UUSS leaders to promote understanding of UU values and identity, to learn about other faith traditions, and to explore and practice various traditions of meditation and other kinds of spiritual practice. Our Senior High Youth Group (SHYG) includes new and returning adult leaders this year, all of whom are parents (and at least one grandparent), as well as respected lay leaders in the congregation. Please see more information on our Senior High Youth group by clicking on "Senior High Youth Group" under "Inside" on the side bar on the right.
I know (and I remember) that the lives of youth get very busy and coming to church takes effort. However, to the extent that it is possible, regular attendance by our UUSS teens at these youth programs will deepen the mentoring friendships between the adult leaders and the youth and will build supportive connections among our youth as they enter challenging and meaningful life passages.
All-Ages Worship Services
Nearly once a month we have a worship service intentionally planned to include and appeal to all ages. On these Sundays, we have no Religious Education class, and families with children can choose to come to either morning service. Of course, on every Sunday morning, all ages begin in the service together, for opening songs, the Chalice Lighting, and the Hand of Fellowship to greet one another. Sometimes there is a story for all ages, and sometimes children and youth are present for the Sharing of Joys and Sorrows.
Programs at Other Times of the Week
"Our Whole Lives" — Comprehensive, Values-Based Sexuality Education. This year, we have two excellent teams of trained adult volunteers to lead two levels of Our Whole Lives (OWL), a Unitarian Universalist program to promote respect for self and others, personal responsibility, communication skills, and current, factual knowledge about sexuality. Special advance registration and parent orientation is required. Please see more information on our OWL series by clicking on "Our Whole Lives" under "Inside" on the side bar on the right.
All-Ages Community Building
UUSS holds events during the year to promote community building among all age groups. Nearly every month we have a Family-Friendly Restaurant Dinner at Fresh Choice or another area family style restaurant.
Depending on volunteer leadership, this year we may have a Thanksgiving Day planned potluck dinner; a Holiday Crafts and Tree-Trimming Party; and special activities for children during the Harvest Fest Dinner and Service Auction on Saturday, November 7. Halloween costumes welcome!
Every June we have a weekend all-church camp-out at Camp Norge, just an hour away. Of course, our on-site community garden, UURTH SONG, is a never ending source of delight, conversation and food for all ages together.
Keep an eye on the monthly Unigram newsletter for upcoming events. I welcome you to join me in developing or hosting additional activities to build community across the generations this year.
Words of Gratitude
Religious Education programs are in my ministerial portfolio at UUSS, and I am grateful to our Religious Education Committee, our many other volunteers of all ages and stages of life, and our church staff. The gifts of time, talent, and care by our staff and volunteer leaders make our programs exciting and excellent.
I am so grateful to our multi-generational team of leaders for their commitment and their enthusiasm. I hope to see you soon!
Many blessings,
Roger Jones
Family Minister
