Children & Youth Programs
Sunday Mornings
Religious Education classes are held on Sunday mornings simultaneously with the adult worship hours. For most programs, the children and youth start in the worship service. See the programs for specific times.
Programs
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- children
- Sunday Morning
- 9:00
- 11:15
- high school
- middle school
- OWL
- adults
- Default
- Asc
- Desc
- Random
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![Nursery Room]()
Nursery Room
Our infants and toddlers are lovingly cared for in the nursery room by our dedicated CPR and First Aid certified RE Aides and volunteers from the congregation. Parents are welcome to stay in the nursery if they would like. Parents must sign their children in and out of the Nursery room, and keep their phones on vibrate when they leave.
- Meeting Times: Sundays during both services
![Sunday Morning Music Programs]()
The Sunshine Kids (age 4-grade 2) and Chalice Singers (grades 3-6) rehearse between the two services on selected Sunday mornings.
![Youth Staff R.E. Internships]()
Youth Staff R.E. Internships
Youth are invited to apply to serve as assistant R.E. Teachers for our preschool and elementary age groups. The experience is truly emblematic of UU values: covenantal relationships rooted in community and mutual respect. This internship offers youth a chance to practice bringing their UU values into a work environment. Priority will be given to applicants who have completed Coming of Age at ERUUF or another UU congregation.
![3 - 4 year-olds: Chalice Children]()
3 - 4 year-olds: Chalice Children
Chalice Children delves into Unitarian Universalist faith and provides experiences around the strength of community, the wonder and awe that transcend everyday understanding, and life issues we all share. Early childhood is filled with curiosity and wonder. With loving adults as guides, young children can engage in spiritual seeking, develop their openness to sharing, and experience the benefit of a supportive community.
![Kindergarten - 1st Grade]()
Kindergarten - 1st Grade
Fall: World of Wonder
Founded on the premise that direct experience in nature is essential to children's physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual development, this program delves deep into our Unitarian Universalist seventh Principle. It instills respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part, and appreciation of its beauty, excitement, and mystery.Spring: Wonderful Welcome
Children identify intangible gifts central to Unitarian Universalism such as friendship, hospitality and fairness, and share these gifts with others.![2nd - 3rd Grade]()
2nd - 3rd Grade
Spirit Adventure is designed for active learners. Participants use hands-on and interactive play to explore themes such as sports, medicine, architecture, science and food with activities such as circus arts, a “take apart party,” obstacle courses, and treasure hunts. In each session, participants will learn about UU ancestors and how their beliefs inspired them to explore, discover and change the world.
![4th - 5th Grade]()
4th - 5th Grade
Harry & UU is based on the Harry Potter series of books by J.K. Rowling, books that immerse children in the idea that one can work to make the world better. The curriculum includes many fun wizarding activities, including herbology, potions, runes, and divination. Over the course of the year, the class forms a chapter of Dumbledore’s Army and fights against seven Horcruxes. The Horcruxes are real world social issues, and the goal is to produce tangible results through social action.
![Grade 6-8]()
Grade 6-8
The Lodestone curriculum offers "Tough Topics and Tons of Fun". The group will explore four main topics over the year: Money, Race, Death and Unitarian Universalism. The goal of Lodestone is to magnetize the Middle School through fun and deep, teachable moments. ChUUrchcraft uses the popular app Minecraft as a vehicle for processing learned information on world religions. A building with multiple rooms is created and supplied to the class. As the class learns about a world religion, part of each class is dedicated to designing a room within the building, devoted to the practice of that religion. At the end of the year, the class will have created a building with rooms devoted to the practice of many religions, supplementing their engagement in Neighboring Faiths in alternate years.
![Our Whole Lives (OWL)]()
OWL is a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education curricula for use in both secular settings and faith communities. It provides honest, accurate information about sexuality. It dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, builds self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships, and improves decision-making. Our Whole Lives helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their 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.
![1st Grade OWL]()
This program supports parents in educating children about birth, babies, bodies and families. Following a Parent Meeting and Parent/Child Orientation, the 8 sessions engage children with stories, songs and activities and include a weekly HomeLink - a homework project for parents and children to do together.
- Dates: January - May
- Enrollment Limit: 12
![5th Grade OWL]()
This ten-workshop program is designed to help children ages nine through twelve to gain the knowledge, life principles, and skills they need to understand and express their sexuality in holistic, life-enhancing ways.
Like the other Our Whole Lives programs for different age groups, this comprehensive, developmentally appropriate program introduces key topics like values, body image, gender and sexual identity, peer pressure, and healthy relationships with sensitivity and inclusiveness, yet without specifically religious doctrine or reference.- Meeting Times: Sundays, 4:30pm-6pm, Meal: 6pm-7pm
- Dates: September - December
- Registration: Children/Youth RE Registration Forms, 2019-20
- Enrollment Limit: 12
![8th Grade OWL]()
This sexuality education program for youth models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. It is a holistic program that moves beyond the intellect to address the attitudes, values, and feelings that youth have about themselves and the world.
Unlike many other sexuality curricula currently available, this program is comprehensive and progressive. In an inclusive and developmentally appropriate manner, it addresses sensitive topics that are typically excluded. The underlying values of the program reflect the justice-oriented traditions of UU.
- Meeting Times: Sundays, 11:00am-12:30pm
- Dates: August - May
- Enrollment Limit: 12
![Adult OWL]()
Using values, communication skills and spirituality as starting points, this program explores sexuality issues for adults of all ages. It builds understanding of healthy sexual relationships, affirms diversity and helps participants accept and affirm their own sexuality throughout their lives.
- Meeting Times: Sundays, 4:30pm-6pm, Meal: 6pm-7pm
- Dates: September - December
- Registration: Adult OWL Registration, 2019-20
- Enrollment Limit: 12
![Middle School Youth Group (MSYG) - Grades 6-8]()
Middle School Youth Group (MSYG) - Grades 6-8
MSYG offers opportunities for all ERUUF 6th-8th grade youth to come together on Sunday afternoons for fun group games, community service and social justice, and exploring their beliefs and values, as well as fun overnights! The group is supported by the Youth Ministry Coordinator and youth advisors.
- Meeting Times: Sundays, 4:30pm-6pm
![Coming of Age (COA)]()
COA is a program for 9th-10th grades to assist youth in clarifying and articulating their personal beliefs and to grow more deeply into Unitarian Universalism. COA supports youth in creating a vision about who they would like to be and what they would like to do for the world. Each youth is paired with an adult mentor to support them on their journey of discovery and help create connections between youth and the adult congregation. The program culminates with a celebration dinner and youth-led worship service in which youth share their personal credos.
- Meeting Times: Sundays, 11:00am-12:30pm
- Dates: September - May
![High School Youth Group (HSYG) - Grades 9-12]()
High School Youth Group (HSYG) - Grades 9-12
HSYG is a great place to have fun and meet a community of other youth that share our UU values! Youth meet weekly during Sunday Night Live in the CARE Building as well as having overnights at CONs and other fun events throughout the year. HSYG includes opportunities for community building, worship and faith formation, justice making, learning and leadership. The group is supported by the Youth Ministry Coordinator and youth advisors.
- Meeting Times: Sundays, 4:30pm-6pm, Meal: 6pm-7pm
- Dates: September - May
![Bridging]()
Bridging
One of the most important things we can do for our youth is to support them as they "bridge" into adulthood, to keep them connected to Unitarian Universalism. Once a year, we celebrate coming-of-age youth and the learning and growth that happens all year in Religious Education. Each class leads a piece of the worship service, and we "bridge" our high school seniors into the adult congregation.
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