- Sunday Schedule
- 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM (Mid-September through Mid-June)
- 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM (Mid-June through Mid-September)
Children and youth are an extremely important part of congregational life for the members and friends of UUCSR. Our formal religious education (RE) program is held on Sundays and takes place during the adult worship service.
Within specific grade groups, children and youth learn about our Unitarian Universalist heritage, about the sacred sources from which we derive our faith, and about the principles that guide how we interact with the world. The classes are grouped as:
- Infant through Pre-Kindergarten
- Kindergarten through 2nd Graders
- 3rd through 5th Graders
- 6th through 8th Graders
- 9th through 12th Graders
Planning to Participate
On the first Sunday of each month, children and youth join the adults in the sanctuary for the first portion of the service and a special Story For All Ages. They are then released to their classrooms for the day’s lesson and cooperative games and crafts.
On the remaining Sundays, children and youth report directly to the religious education wing for a short Children’s Chapel gathering before going on to their respective classrooms.
The nursery/preschool room is always open for those young ones under Kindergarten age who may find it difficult to sit in worship. Alternatively, the hallway just outside the Sanctuary offers comfortable seating and an overhead speaker for those parents who prefer to sit in a quiet place with their small children. Closed circuit televised worship, quiet toys and "Sittin’ Kits" are also readily-available in the room at the end of that hall.
Several times through the year, there are special intergenerational services that the children and teens participate in with adults. The practice of regularly including our young people in worship fosters community worship and gives us the opportunity to celebrate being in a caring Unitarian Universalist community. See our monthly newsletter for more detailed information.
Fall 2007-Spring 2008 Program
Nursery (Infant through Pre-Kindergarten)
Our experienced nursery/preschool aides set a caring and safe atmosphere for educational play. We use the "Celebrating Me and My World" curriculum that celebrates the wondrous qualities of the children themselves, and expands outward to celebrate the people and things around them. The program provides preschoolers opportunities to grow in their sense of trust and caring, and to develop both their self-identity and sense of connectedness with all life.
Kindergarten-2nd Graders
A rotating team of adult volunteer teachers leads the children in "Spirit Play". Combining Montessori techniques with core stories from our faith and our theology, "Spirit Play" helps children make meaning through wondering and art, create a spiritual community, feel supported in their various learning styles and create a strong Unitarian Universalist identity.
3rd-5th Graders
A rotating team of adult volunteer teachers leads the children through two curricula during the church year. For the first portion of the year, we use "Kids Around the World Celebrate: The Best Feasts and Festivals From Many Lands" to explore the religious and cultural significance of a variety of celebrations. We celebrate themes of "before" and "after" (before planting and after harvest, for example), giving thanks, renewing the spirit, and welcoming a new year. During the second portion of the year, we study "In Our Hands, a Peace and Social Justice Program." Children are encouraged to become makers of peace and justice — and learn ways that they can take action now. Topics include concepts of peace and justice — within oneself, with others, and with our Earth.
6th-8th Graders
A rotating team of adult volunteer teachers encourage students to grow in awareness of their individual search for meaning, and in their understanding of Unitarian Universalism’s place among the world’s religions.
The "World’s Religions for Junior Youth" curriculum integrates material about the world’s major religions and religious practices with activities that target the energy and nature of middle school and junior high students. We study Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Islam, Native American practices, African practices, Judaism and Christianity.
Teen Group (9th-12th Graders)
Amidst a casual setting, our teen group focuses on placing themselves as contributing citizens of the wider world.
Volunteer adult advisors use the book "What Do You Stand For?" to guide exploration of a variety of character traits. Teens learn about real kids who are examples of character in action, and explore ways to strengthen their own positive character traits. The group undertakes community social action projects throughout the year and develops a unique Teen Worship Sunday service (held in the spring) to share with the congregation.
Our teens also enjoy using their special perk: a dedicated space to hang out, meet friends, eat snacks, and play air hockey!