If you have questions or would like to learn more about our Lifelong Spiritual Formation program please contact our Lifelong Spiritual Formation Director, Toben Cooney-Callnan.
Email:
Special Programs for Children & Youth
In addition to our theme based Sunday morning children's meetings, we also offer Special Programming for children and youth. Click the button below to learn more about those special program offerings.
All of our Lifelong Spiritual Formations Programs are centered in our Unitarian Universalist Values and Covenant
Sunday Mornings
Our Children's Spiritual Formation (CSF) program year coincides with the school year. We offer programming and nursery care mid-September through early June. Program offerings include:
- Nursery care for children Pre-K and under
- Sunday morning CSF workshops for Grades K-7
- Youth programs for grades 8-12
- Multigenerational events, activities and worship services
- Multi-age activities and projects
The Nursery is open at 9:45 and nursery staff arrives at 9:50. On occasion, the Nursery will be open but unstaffed. Parents and caregivers are invited to use the Nursery during the worship service as needed. The worship service can be seen and heard from inside the Nursery.
With the exception of Nursery age children, everyone typically begins Sunday mornings in the Sanctuary. Early in each service, there is a Time for all Ages story shared by the Lifelong Spiritual Formation Director (LSFD), the minister, or a volunteer storyteller. After the Time For All Ages Story, the CSF meeting leaders and children will be sung out to to participate their in workshops in the CSF area. This generally happens around 10:15.
In accordance with Safe Congregation practices, we require all families who regularly participate in the CSF Program, to register their children each church year.
Our Sunday morning CSF meetings are divided into color coded groups:
Red- Nursery (age 3 and under)
Orange- Lower Elementary (Grades: Pre-K- 2nd)
Yellow- Upper Elementary (Grades: 3-5)
Green- Middle School (Grades: 6-7)
Blue- Youth Group (Grades: 8-12)
Most weeks, parents and caregivers have a little time to gather for coffee during Hospitality Hour following the worship service before CSF meetings end.
Children in the Red and Orange group must be picked up by a parent or caregiver at the end of their CSF. Children and youth in the Yellow, Green and Blue groups will be released to find their families at the end of their CSF meeting. Parents and caregivers are responsible for their children before and after CSF programming.
Children of all ages are always welcome in the sanctuary throughout any service as a valued part of our multi-generational community. Coloring and activity pages are available near the entrance of the sanctuary.
Inside the Children's Spiritual Formation Program
How We Learn:
What We Learn:
We are a liberal religious community that respects all people (community building), honors the teachings of all major religions (world religions), values peace and justice and practices conflict resolution (social justice), works to preserve the planet (environmental justice, web of life), and values our original roots (Jewish and Christian heritage, UU history). This year we will be doing a themed ministry using materials from Soul Matters.
For more info visit: https://www.soulmatterssharingcircle.com
Who Leads the CSF Meetings:
Our CSF Volunteer Leaders are UUCB members that have been recruited, vetted, and supported by the Lifelong Spiritual Formation Director and the Children's Spiritual Formation Committee. They come from a variety of educational, spiritual, and social backgrounds. You are welcome to meet them before or after services to learn more about them. Parents and caregivers are always welcome to join their children in their CSF Meetings!
Children's Spiritual Formation Calendar 2024-25
Helpers Needed
The Children's Spiritual Formation program is looking for volunteers to help lead meetings and/or support meeting leaders on Sunday mornings. Meeting Leaders will lead the Sunday morning meeting using the format provided by the Lifelong Spiritual Formation Director. Meeting Helpers will support children in creative activities like arts and crafts, games, storytelling etc. If you are interested in helping out in the CSF program, please fill out our volunteer form here. We are offering Helper Trainings for volunteers. Our next training will be on November 3rd.
