Our Sunday Offerings for Kids
upcoming offerings
June 2nd - Our Sunday Worship will be All Ages. It’s Pride Sunday and we are going to observe the beautiful, very special, very Unitarian Universalist ritual of The Flower Ceremony! Everyone should bring a flower. We’ll combine all the flowers into a stunningly beautiful, unique bouquet, and then everyone will receive a flower to take home with them.
June 9th - We will have a Children’s Worship Breakout during our 10:30 Sunday Worship. Our Breakout theme will be “The Kids’ Annual Meeting”. We’ll practice some democracy, and do the work of church together. Group decisions about future Breakout offerings will be made, so if your kiddos are interested in having input, please make sure they are there that day.
June 16th - Our worship today will be a Wheel of the Year service in honor of the Summer Solstice. The earth, for those of us living in the northern hemisphere, will experience the longest day, or summer solstice, this week. Come join us for a celebration of the earth and all that live upon it. Come fall in love with the earth again. This service is in-person only; no zoom option today.
June 23rd - We’ll join UUs across the United States in the General Assembly Sunday Worship service, which will be led by Rev. Molly Housh Gordon of the UU Church of Columbia, MO. This will be a livestreamed service which may be watched in the sanctuary or from home via Zoom.
June 29th - There will be a work party in the Churchmouse Childcare room from 10am to 3 pm. Come for however long you can, and bring a sack lunch. We’ll have a popsicle break at 3 to celebrate all we’ve accomplished as a team. Tasks may include assembling IKEA furniture, hanging wallpaper, painting walls, painting furniture. Please let me know via email if you will be able to participate.
June 30th - We will have a Children’s Worship Breakout during Sunday Morning Worship. We’ll be experimenting with paper marbling and/or paint pouring, which kids may have seen on internet videos under the term “aqua dip”. This is always messy, and the materials we use do not wash out of clothes completely. Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, or bring a smock.
For the 2024-25 church year, we’ll be adopting a new rhythm for our offerings for kids. On most second and third Sundays we’ll have a kids’ worship breakout; on most first and fourth Sundays we’ll gather as an all-ages community in the sanctuary.
For more information, contact our Religious Educator, Regina McConaghy.
Sunday Mornings: On some Sundays, we worship as an all-ages community. Children and youth join in the worship service with their families, with quiet activities provided for anyone who listens better with something in their hands. On other Sundays, children and youth begin in the sanctuary with their grown-ups to join in the welcome, chalice lighting, singing, and a Time for All Ages. Then they may participate in a kids’ breakout with activities designed for their age group, such as story, movement, conversation, or art.
Kindergarten - 5th Grade Class: Stories, experiential learning, and creative projects help children get to know Unitarian Universalist principles and how they can guide our actions. We use a variety of curricula from the Tapestry of Faith program (see samples here: https://www.uua.org/re/tapestry/children) and child-led service projects.
Middle & High School Class (Grades 6 through 9): At this time we have a combined middle and high school class, focusing on discussion and development of beliefs. Tapestry of Faith curricula is often used for this age group (see samples here: https://www.uua.org/re/tapestry/youth) to explore common questions and learn about faith.
Nursery: We do not currently offer nursery care. Babies and toddlers are welcome in the sanctuary with their grownups, and a few toys for young children are available for their quiet use during the service.
Other Activities:
Social Justice: Children and youth participate in service projects, typically directed by their interests. These may include helping at a food bank, raising money for local charities such as homeless shelters or the Humane Society.
Sexuality Education: The “Our Whole Lives” (OWL) curriculum offers honest, accurate information about sexuality. It is centered in the shared values of self worth, sexual health, responsibility, and justice and inclusivity. Learn more about OWL here: https://www.uua.org/re/owl. Contact our Religious Educator, Regina McConaghy, to find out when OWL classes for your age group will be offered!
Kids' Garden: A garden space in front of the church helps children connect with nature.
Milestones and Other Celebrations: Parents may choose to have a Child Dedication Ceremony welcoming their children into the church community. Graduating high school seniors have a coming-of-age commemoration known as a Bridging Ceremony. We celebrate holidays and seasons in many ways, from honoring Samhain to decorating the Christmas tree to holding an Easter Egg Hunt, along with other traditions that bring together members of all ages to create memories.
