 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Current Program
Westside UU Congregation’s youngest members and friends will find an active, educational and spirit filled experience every time they join with friends at church. Our kids are divided by ages, 0-2 in the Nursery (quiet babies in arms are welcome in the service), 2-3 year-olds in the Story Time Class, 4-5 year-olds in the Spirit Play class, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade in Early Elementary and 3rd through 5th grade in Older Elementary. The divisions are flexible for homeschoolers, kids with different learning styles or special needs.
The Youth of our congregation are involved in a deeper exploration of their values and beliefs. This is a great time to learn about what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist, when values and beliefs are becoming solid. Middle School youth meet each Sunday during the service, and sometimes with the High School Youth for social activities. High School youth meet occasionally and do some service work as a youth group.
As the children and youth of our congregation grow, we honor some significant milestones with a number of rites of passage ceremonies including Infant/Child Blessing, Chalice Lighters/Age of Reason at 7, Coming of Age at about 14 and Bridging to Adulthood at about 18.
We welcome visiting children and youth to join us in whatever way feels comfortable to them. Most Sundays follow a regular pattern. The children and youth join the older members of the congregation for the first 15 minutes or so of the service. During this time there is usually some music, an inspirational reading welcoming us together, and a Story for All Ages. After the Story for All Ages, the children and youth head to classes. On the second Sunday of the month we have a Children’s Worship called “Chalice Chapel” followed by a Service Sunday including kids of all ages working together on a specific service project. At the end of the adult service, children go with their adult(s) to enjoy coffee hour together as a family. Parents and guardians are welcome to join their younger folks in classes at any time.
|
The Foundation of Children and Youth Religious Education Theological Reflection: We actively promote questioning and reflection engaging children and youth in wonder around the “Big Questions” of life. |
Religious Education Program Overview
The Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation religious education program gives each child or youth a well rounded religious education, offering a strong identity as a Unitarian Universalist, knowledge of stories and traditions of other world religions and experience living our beliefs through social action. We supplement these classes with activities and special programs creating a vibrant experience of a living tradition.
With regular weekly attendance our children and youth move into adulthood with a solid foundation as Unitarian Universalists and a comprehensive knowledge of world religions as well as experience putting their personal beliefs into real life practice.
Nursery (Ages 6 weeks to about 2)
Our youngest members and friends learn about Unitarian Universalism being the church of the loving heart and welcoming hands through loving care with our nursery care provider. The nursery is located near the sanctuary for easy access and adjustment for the child and parents. Quiet babies in arms are welcome in the service.
Storytime Class (2-3)
Our two-and three-year-olds gather for stories and playtime led by a dedicated staff member and a volunteer. The class has a "learn through play" focus, with gentle care and fun our primary goal.
Spirit Play Class (4-6)
Children join together in a fun-filled active time, led by a trusted staff member and a specially trained volunteer. The preschool-kindergarten group uses a Montessori based approach called Spirit Play. Each week the children will see a story presented in a specific way. Following the story the children will choose to play out one of the stories from previous weeks, or to create some art, or another activity available on our shelves. The class ends with a closing ritual. Kindergarteners may choose this class or the Early Elementary class.
Early Elementary (K-2) A Discovering Year
Our focus for these growing children is nurturing their spiritual and religious growth through connections to their ever-widening environment. They explore selves, friendships, families, church, nature, and religious and cultural days. Through ritual, sharing times, quiet times, crafts, activities, singing and music, games and movement, stories and talks, they learn to appreciate the worth of each person, to express feelings, to celebrate human diversity, and to feel part of their UU community.
Older Elementary (3rd- 5th) The Questing Year
This class will engage our older children in four quests designed to help them seek and develop their own answers to deep life questions about human faith and the web of all existence. Connected through social action and spiritual search, the Mystery Quest, the Inner Quest, the Action Quest and the UU Quest are all challenging and fun. The class will use music and meditation to experience religious mystery. They will also run a social action project to help others outside the church, as well as learning about the lives of outstanding Unitarian Universalists.
Middle School (6-8) Traditions With a Wink
The Unitarian Universalist faith comes from a long tradition of questioning and searching. We also come from a long tradition of loving kindness and good works. We have powerful stories and visions of hope. Using “Traditions With a Wink”, our teachers will share this living history with our Middle Schoolers as they begin the process of shaping their own faith.
Topics will include:
- Unitarian Universalist traditions and rituals including flower communion
- the place of Science and Reason
- the different ways UUs create community
- our tradition of good works
- our music and hymns
- our Purposes and Principles
- our roots in Jewish and Christian culture
Youth Group
Our youth are invited to participate in a fantastic opportunity to grow and learn within our youth programming. Social activities combine with social action, spiritual growth, learning together and positive youth and adult interaction to form a strong youth group. Contact our Director of Religious Education for more information about youth group meeting times dre(at)wsuu(dot)org
Unitarian Universalist Principles
and Sources — The Rainbow Path
|
From Free to Believe, Sheltering Spirit: The Shelter Rock Faith Curriculum, by Tirrell H. Kimball and Richard S. Kimball