Programs for Children (ages 0-12)

About Our Religious Exploration Programs

• They encourage independent and creative thought and ideas about life’s “big questions”
• They celebrate diversity
• They explore moral and spiritual lessons to be learned from the world’s major religions
• They explore humanist teachings and the role of individual conscience
• They develop respect for the environment
• They provide fun and fellowship

What Programs are Offered?

Programmed classes run September through June, 10:30 – 11:45 am. Childcare is available year-round. We understand that children do not develop at the same rate – all age and class groupings are flexible. All children in our programs must have Registration Forms completed by a parent or guardian. This year’s theme is Understanding What it Means to be a Unitarian Universalist.

Nursery (ages 0-4): Childcare for babies and young children is available from 10:20 – 11:45 am every Sunday. During July and August, childcare is available for children of all ages who require supervision during the service.

YAKS (Younger-Aged Kids) Group (ages 5-8): Curricula will be Love Surrounds Us and Spirit Play. The Love Surrounds Us program explores all the Unitarian Principles in the context of Beloved Community of family/home, school, neighborhood. Participants engage in activities that emphasize the love they feel in community. The Spirit Play program uses the Montessori approach with props to tell stories about famous Unitarians and what they believe.

MAKS (Middle-Aged Kids) Group (ages 9-12): Curricula will be “Holidays and Holy Days” and Love Connects Us. The “Holidays and Holy Days” program looks at other world religions through a Unitarian Universalist lens. The Love Connects Us program celebrates important ways Unitarian Universalists live our faith in covenanted community. Moved by love and gathered in spirit, we embrace our responsibility toward one another and the world at large.

Junior Youth and Senior Youth (ages 13-20): please visit our Youth Programs page.

For Parents: Our “Parent Connections” Group shares the joys and challenges of parenting Unitarian children. Meetings are held several times per year on Sundays after the service. Childcare and children’s programming (art or drama class) are provided. Watch for dates on the Events page, the Enews, or the Quest newsletter.

It’s My First Visit – What Do I Do?

Please visit our Welcome Table to pick up a name-tag and information about our programs.

If you have babies or toddlers: You may keep your child with you during the service or take your child directly to the nursery (the greeters in the church foyer will direct you). If you choose to leave your child in the nursery, then give your name to the usher when you return to the service and sit in the last rows of seats. This is so ushers can easily get your attention if your child needs you in the nursery. You are invited to have a quick coffee after the service. Please pick up your child by 11:45.

If you have older children: They should go with you to the main sanctuary for the “time for all ages” part of the service. This may involve a song, story, or group chat. After this, you should accompany your children downstairs to the appropriate classrooms (signs on the doors will indicate the class age groupings). Please introduce yourself and your children to the group leaders or the Director of Religious Education, Sandy Cooper. Then you may rejoin the service in Panabaker Hall. You are invited to have a quick coffee after the service. Please pick up your children directly from their classrooms by 11:45.

• There are several multi-generational services throughout the year, which are intended to involve everyone (preschool to the elderly) in a meaningful, community building, spiritual event. During multi-generational services, there will be no children’s classes, but the nursery will operate as usual.
• Children get to know each other better, have more fun, and learn about community when they attend at least 3-4 Sundays a month. We encourage you to come regularly!
• Volunteer involvement by parents is essential for our programs to be successful. Please speak to our Director of Religious Education about ways that you can help out.

For More Information

Please contact our Interim Director of Religious Exploration, Marsha Haug.