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Family and Children Ministries


Our goal is to offer classes for children and youth that are focused on religious exploration. Curriculum at UFPChas been developed by and offered through the Ministry Faith and Development department at the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). 


We are a creative community and we provide learning experiences that fit our needs. Some of our programming is written and designed by the Director of Religious Education (DRE), Nan Moore, with support from the Religious Exploration (RE) Committee.    


The Religious Exploration Classes continue to be grounded in our Unitarian Universalist principles and values. As a community we engage in cooperation, faith in action, peace and justice while tapping into our creative strengths.   Children learn by doing and our “doing” program offers times that will offer the richest experiential education that will hopefully be memorable for all.

At UFPC the children are a valued part of the community and our ministry is to balance classroom learning, multi-age learning and community involvement.


We believe that children learn by experience and their participation in the community is as equally as important as their time in the classroom.
Childcare

Childcare is provided for babies and toddlers. Our child care provider, Tyler (photo on the right), will be in the childcare room from 10:15 – 11:45 on Sunday mornings. Parents have a choice of bringing children to toddler care room before church or after the message for all ages – wathever parents prefer. 


Message for All Ages


Sunday mornings, the children arrive to church with their families or guardians and sit in our historical sanctuary. Following the Affirmation of Faith the children are invited to come forward and sit in the front pews for a “message” that will speak directly to them. These messages take form in story, drama, music and art offerings.

 

While designed for children and youth, the message is a central part of service. For example, Nan Moore’s, Director of Relgiious Education, 9/11 message provided all of us with a starting point to talk about a difficult topic. She gave the community a helpful guide for talking with the children and each other. Read her message now. 
Religious Exploration Class

Our classes focus on exploration of Unitarian Universalism and various faith tranditions through community engagement, cooperation, faith in action, justice, and creativity. Children learn by what they do. Web believe that “doing” religious and spriritual community can offer the richest context for value and meaning in our lives.


Safe Church Policy


All teachers and childcare providers are required to fill our our Safe Church Packet, which includes the Code of Ethics and a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Form. All adults who work with children at UFPC, in any context, are required to abide by the Safe Church Policy approved by the UFPC Board of Governance (BOG).  


Registration


All families are required to register their children because we need basic contact information with permission slips. In order to be a safe congregation parental involvement ensures our efforts. Registration forms are online and available outside of the RE office. 



Events


The church school calendar is available online and outside of the RE office. The calendar includes a detailed description of special events. At UFPC we believe children are a valued part of the community, therefore, our goal is to integrate classroom time by age, one room schoolhouses (all ages), intergenerational worship, and community events for the best possible church experience.