Children’s & Youth Programming
“UU religious education is goal-oriented in ONE WAY: We seek an outcome of respectful, responsible, life-loving kids who know they are valued for all of who they are and are ready to show others the same deep acceptance.” – UUA.org
YOUNG CHURCH
Young Church is for children in K-6th grade. Children sit with their families for the beginning of worship service (about 15 minutes), and then head downstairs to the Lower Meetinghouse with volunteers and the Director of Youth and Children’s Ministry, Mara Flynn.
Our nursery is available for children under age 5 with a guardian in attendance. If you would like to arrange for childcare so that you can attend service upstairs, please connect in advance with mara.flynn@frsuu.org. “Littles” are also welcome to join us in Young Church with a parent/guardian in attendance.
If your child/teen will be attending, please fill out our registration form HERE
Young Church engages K-6th grade children and supports them in creating and experiencing meaningful connection with:
- Ritual, stories, crafts, games and joyful community building
- Special guests, activities and projects that support curiosity and spiritual growth
- Explorations of the 7 UU Principles, social emotional learning, and social justice engagement
Questions? Email Mara Flynn, Director of Youth and Children’s Ministry at mara.flynn@frsuu.org.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM
For 7th, 8th, and 9th graders, we offer two programs that are offered in alternate years:
In Crossing Paths, youth will explore 8 faiths over the course of the church year, including our own. They’ll engage with practitioners of each faith, as well as visiting 8 different houses of worship. This program is based in the ethic of religious pluralism and focuses on working to understand and respectfully connect with others who may hold different beliefs, while also seeking each religion’s crossing points with Unitarian Universalism.
Our Whole Lives – Our Whole Lives (OWL) is our comprehensive sexuality education program. Kids work with trained facilitators to explore issues of human sexuality using honest, accurate information with a heavy emphasis on values and decision-making. OWL dismantles stereotypes and assumptions and builds self-acceptance and self-esteem. For more information, see what the Unitarian Universalist Association has to say about OWL.
Questions? Email Mara Flynn, Director of Youth and Children’s Ministry at mara.flynn@frsuu.org.
YOUTH GROUP
7th-12th graders
Our Youth Group meets bi-monthly on Sundays from 12-1:30pm and gives teens opportunities for service work and a safe place to ask questions, explore life issues, and socialize with peers. This program will be led by Director of Youth and Children’s Ministry Mara Flynn and by Assistant Minister Reverend Laurel who will be leading a “Coming of Age: Finding Your Spiritual Center” curriculum throughout the church year.
If your child/teen will be attending, please fill out our registration form HERE
Questions? Email Mara Flynn, Director of Youth and Children’s Ministry at mara.flynn@frsuu.org.
FAQs
will I be expected to volunteer?
We strongly believe that a child’s religious education is enhanced when their parents participate, so we encourage you to volunteer in the program. Also, it takes many volunteers to make our program a safe and successful one. Helping with Young Church is a rewarding experience and lets you feel connected to your child’s religious education. And since you know what’s been talked about on Sunday mornings, you can engage your child on that topic during the week.
Adults who volunteer in Young Church on Sunday mornings are more like facilitators and guides than teachers. You’re not expected to provide answers, but simply to help the kids explore values and concepts.
We realize that helping with Young Church groups is not for everybody, however. There are many other volunteer options available for Young Church parents. Please talk to our Director of Religious Education to find the option that’s right for you. And thank you, on behalf of all the kids in our program.
Will I be expected to pay?
Yes. All families taking part in religious education are expected to make a financial contribution to the church–most often in the form of an annual pledge. You can make a pledge at any time, preferably as you start in the program. Pay all at once or in increments throughout the year. FRS depends on pledges like yours to fund all the staffing and activities of the church. Think about the ways in which the church makes a difference in your family’s lives and pledge accordingly.
What do you teach about the Bible?
Because Unitarian Universalism is rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition, we believe it’s important to familiarize our children with stories and teachings from the Bible. It also helps our children to be culturally literate and introduces them to many rich and meaningful stories.
We don’t teach Bible stories as factual. Instead, we see the Bible as a book of Wisdom Stories and cultural literacy. We tell the story and then, through discussion and activities, help kids understand how the story’s meaning applies to their own lives.
What should my children wear to Young Church?
The environment at FRS is casual. Most children wear whatever they would wear to school. If we have a particularly messy project planned in one of the classes, we’ll let you know in advance so your child can be prepared.
OUR Foundational Principles
Vision
FRSUU’s religious education program aspires to create a welcoming and inclusive community that supports spiritual growth through learning and serving in a respectful, safe, and joyful environment.
Mission
The religious education program is one in which Unitarian Universalist Principles, modeled by caring and inspired adults, are taught in a joyful environment, where opportunities to practice them are given through classroom experience and service to the community. We pursue this mission in an effort to integrate Unitarian Universalist Principles as a foundation and moral compass for life.