What’s it like when you come?
Please have your children dressed comfortably (for we encourage movement and art work)
When you arrive for the first time please fill out a “Religious Education Guest Registration Form” This helps us to identify the right group for your child, and helps us find you if they need you at any time, and we need any food allergy information as snack is provided. (If after attending 3 or 4 times, you decide this is the community for you, there is another formal Registration form to fill out.)
From September through early May, there’s programming at 9 AM & 11 AM.
At 9 AM, children, pre-school through 5th grade, usually start sitting with their families in the Fellowship Hall where they join in the opening song and welcome. They are invited to come up front for a children's story or interactive discussion (and parents can join them if need be)! After that, as music is played, they walk across to the House and participate in religious education activities.
At various times during the year:
Intergenerational services are planned throughout the year (usually: one in September when we start 9 am services again, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Easter/Passover and a special “Flower Communion” in June) the children and youth participate in the service and stay in the Sanctuary.
At various times during the church year, the children to go directly to the Congregational House for their own 25-30 minute Children's Chapel service (usually includes music, chalice lighting, joys and sorrows sharing, story) after which they break into groups for follow-up discussions, activities and snacks.
Other Notes:
The Middle School and High School youth usually go to directly to their group when they meet.
A detailed calendar, or an answer to further questions, is available from the Director of Religious Education or the church office.
Fall 2007
We will be offering the following curricula & programs for our children and youth for Fall 2007:
9:00 a.m. Sunday Mornings:
Pre-school “Chalice Children” (1st floor)
K-2nd “Walking the Rainbow Path” (1st floor conference room)
3rd-5th “Spirit of Adventure” (2nd floor conference room)
6th-8th Grade Coming of Age: “The Questing Year” and Doorways to the Soul (mentor weeks) in the Youth Room.
11:00 a.m. Sunday Mornings
“We Believe” Family Style Group (1st floor)
9th grade Coming of Age – A custom made program to develop their credo statements and “The Gospel According to the Simpsons based on the book by Marc? Pinsky for mentor/small group weeks. First meeting September 16th in the second floor Conference Room.
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Sunday’s (plus off-site activities TBD) – Contact Randy Smith, John Miglietta or DRE for details. Senior High Youth Group (see below for meeting time.)
7:00 p.m. on 1st & 3rd Fridays (plus 1 other per month – contact office for details)
Junior High Youth Group
Senior High Youth Group (9th – 12th Grade):
Tentative 2007-2008 Schedule for UUCD Senior High Youth Group (as of 8/24/07)
All meetings are Sundays at 4:00 to 5:30 PM at the House, 2nd floor, unless otherwise indicated.
2007
Sunday, September 16 The Game
Sunday, September 23 “The Gospel According to the Simpsons”
Sunday, September 30 Introduction to “Building Your own Theology”
Sunday, October 7 CON @ Stony Brook, NY No Meeting @ 4:00
Sunday, October 14 Open
Sunday, October 21 Planning for Halloween Party on Oct. 28.
Sunday, October 28 Halloween Party for the young children;
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM at the Ridge.
No Meeting @ 4:00
Sunday, November 4 Session 1 of “Building Your Own Theology”
Sunday, November 11 Guest Star TBD
Sunday, November 18 Open
Sunday, November 25 No Meeting @ 4:00
Sunday, December 2 Working CON @ All Souls in NYC.
Meeting TBD.
Sunday, December 9 Open
Sunday, December 16 Session 2 of “Building Your Own Theology”
Sunday, December 23 Holiday Party — Yankee Gift Swap
Sunday, December 30 No Meeting @ 4:00
Detailed Program Descriptions are forthcoming
General Description of the Program for Children and Youth
The Congregation offers Nursery Care, by a licensed provider, at all services for babies and toddlers and for the occasional young child making the transition into the Pre-school group
Groups we have at 9 AM:
Pre-School (3 & 4 year olds)
K through 2nd Graders
3rd through 5th Graders
6th through 8th Graders
At 11 AM:A Family-Style Group (4 years old through 12 years old)
At 4 PM:Senior High Youth Group (sometimes they're off-site for activities) and
We have a Junior High youth group that also meets on the first and third Fridays of each month at 7:00 p.m. (contact the office or DRE for more information)
The purpose of our program for children and youth is to provide an environment with a sense of belonging to their religious community and the greater community. We strive to help them:
• know and respect themselves and all people,
• explore the interconnected web of life,
• and to understand the Jewish and Christian heritage
we share as Unitarian Universalists
as well as many other rich religious traditions.
The curricula is chosen by the Religious Education Committee and Director of Religious Education, and taught by volunteers from the Congregation. Over a three- year cycle our children and youth learn and experience at an age appropriate level:
• World Religions (2006 - 2007),
• Unitarian Universalist Identity,
• Judeo/Christian Heritage (and for our middle school & high school youth human sexuality & values curricula).
Every year we work together on social action projects. The Religious Education Committee is always happy to welcome new volunteers who wish to participate in the program.
Summer Programming usually comes from a combination of the interests of the congregation, some curricula, and it is an opportunity for something a little different from the school year routine!
(updated Nov. 2, 2007)
