Children's Programs
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Nursery
Tender loving care is provided for children under the age of three (3), from 9:45 am to 12:20 pm each Sunday. Carefully trained and screened nursery caregivers provide a warm, caring environment and give each child individual attention to help each one feel comfortable and happy. You are welcome to stay in the room for a few minutes or the entire morning if your baby or toddler needs you to stay until he/she becomes comfortable with the caregivers. If a child is unhappy and cannot be comforted in a reasonable amount of time, the parent/guardian will be contacted. The 11:00 am Worship Service may also be listened to in the Religious Education Lounge area. In consideration of others, we ask that children who are not feeling well be kept at home or with the parent.
Preschool
Three and four year olds play and learn with the curriculum Celebrating Me and My World. The goals of this curriculum are to help every child develop a positive self-image, feel safe, accepted and at home in the church, become more aware and appreciative of our interconnectedness with nature, develop cooperative skills, develop their abilities to express themselves and extend the boundaries of what they regard as "their world".
Elementary Age Children, Kindergarten through 5th Grade
The children take part in a rotational model engaging in a variety of learning styles as they explore a monthly theme and accompanying story. Discovery, Seekers, Explorers, and Voyagers gather in the Von Stilli Chapel for singing and opening words before attending one of the themed rooms. The classes focus on one of the five theological questions below for four weeks then engage in a Hearts and Hands project.
- What is the nature of God?
- What does it mean to be human and alive?
- How is the Sacred present in each of us and in our lives?
- What is the purpose of Beloved Community?
- How do we live in the face of death and loss?
Children's Music
Neal Kellogg, Director of Children's Music, leads two children's choirs on Sunday mornings which begins September 19th! Join us in the Rhythm & Roll room for the PreK-1st grade choir from 11:20 am to 11:40 am. Children will sing, dance, and play, all while learning the very beginning steps of appreciating music.
The Chalice Choir (grades 2nd through 5th) will meet in the Rhythm & Roll Room from 11:45 am to 12:15 pm. With numerous opportunities for musical growth and enrichment throughout the year, choir members hone their performance skills; continue developing vocal and instrumental musical talent and music appreciation. Look for news of a parent meeting early in the year.
Hearts and Hands
On the back of our Children's Chapel order of service is a short version of what we as UU's believe:
"Loving your neighbor as yourself
Keeping an open mind and
Making the world a better place."
Hearts and Hands will engage our elementary children in experiences that will help them put this statement into practice. A team of volunteers, along with input from the children, will select a social action or community service project for each month's Hearts and Hands morning.
Children's Chapel
Monthly Children's Chapel Services for elementary age, provide an age appropriate brief worship service. The children participate by ringing the chimes, lighting the chalice, collecting the offering, and playing the offertory music. All children and youth are invited to play music they are familiar with on the piano or the instrument they play. Please sign up with Terry Ward. At the end of the year the children help decide where the offering is to be donated.
Robber’s Cave
Robber’s Cave is an annual church camping retreat. There is a regular service at the church on the Sunday of the retreat. There is no RE at the church on that Sunday, but childcare is available.
