Family Ministry provides spiritual enrichment programming for children and youth from birth through 18 as well as the support to their parents and caregivers.

Read below information about our regular Sunday morning programming, Coming of Age classes, and OWL classes.

Click here to register a child or youth to receive weekly email updates about upcoming programs!

This year in Families Ministries we will be discovering the spiritual tools we need for facing challenges and building hope as we travel along the twists and turns of life. Every month we will examine a new spiritual theme to answer our big question of the year:

On the twists and turns of life how do we find…

These are the same monthly themes that adults will be exploring in worship and in Chalice Circles. 

Childcare (crawlers and toddlers) 

We will continue to offer childcare for young children every Sunday in our nursery, 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Parents of infants are welcome to keep their children with them either in the Sanctuary or in the Wiggle Room at the rear of the sanctuary.

Sunshine Circle (preschoolers and kindergartners)

Sunshine Circle, which is for preschoolers and kindergartners, will be held every Sunday, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Children will gather to light a chalice, share joys and sorrows, and listen to a story related to our monthly theme. They will also be provided with time for games and free play.

Chalice Chapel (1st through 4th graders)

Every Sunday 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

On the first Sunday of each month, children and their families will begin together in the Sanctuary to begin to discover the new monthly spiritual theme before children transition to activities and games in Peace Hall. 

On following Sundays, children will gather together for their own short worship service in the Peace Hall which will include music, joys and sorrows, wisdom tales, and mindfulness practices to deepen their understanding of that months’ theme.

World Religions Explorers (5th – 7th Graders)

Every Sunday 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Youth in this program will explore a new religion every month (Unitarian Universalism, Christianity, Judaism, Paganism, Buddhism) through interactive exercises and discussion about the symbols, beliefs, and central questions answered by each faith.

Donuts and Discussion Youth Group (8th through 12th graders)

Our Youth Group, which is for 7th through 12th graders, will be held on the first, third, and occasional fifth Sundays of every month, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Youth are invited to come together for donuts and discussion about what’s going on in our lives and what is needed to navigate the twists and turns of teenage years with the spiritual monthly themes. We’ll also enjoy games, hikes, and service projects to build connections with our congregation and the wider community. 

*On the first Sunday of the month youth will start in the Sanctuary for short multigenerational worship.*

In addition to Sunday morning gatherings, the youth group will have at least one social gathering a month, either at UUFR or in the larger community.

Youth Assistant Program (8th through 12th graders)

On 2nd and 4th Sundays, youth will have the opportunity to develop practical skills in many ways. Youth can apply for the opportunity to assist in the Nursery, Children’s Chapel, or at the A/V Table in Sanctuary. Accepted teens who are at least 14 will be paid $10 an hour. A Zoom interview with Dana is required with each participating teen in August.

Please email Dana at Dana@uufr.org if you are interested in interviewing for this program.

Coming of Age (9-12th graders)

January – June 2023 on two Sunday afternoons monthly 

Coming of Age is a beloved program that guides youth in examining the great religious questions and clarifying their own beliefs or “credos”.  Sessions will focus on life’s obstacles, spiritual practices, and moral quandaries, and culminate with writing a short statement of belief to share with the congregation. As part of the program we will travel to the Mountain Retreat Youth Con in March as part of the program to connect and worship with UU teens from around the country.

Our Whole Lives (OWL) Overview

OWL is the name of our comprehensive sexuality education program.

During 2022-2023, OWL classes will be offered for lower-elementary-aged students, upper elementary-aged students, middle-school-aged students, and high-school-aged  students mostly on Sunday mornings at different times of the year.

OWL Schedule

Lower Elementary (1st and 2nd graders): WAITLIST ONLY

Required parent orientation: Sunday, January 8. 

Classes: January 22, January 29, February 8, February 12, February 26, March 5, March 12, March 19

These classes will be held 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Upper Elementary (4th, 5th, and 6th graders): REGISTRATION CLOSED

 Required parent orientation: September 18

 Classes: September 25, October 2, October 9, October 16, October 23, October 30, November 6, November 13, December 4, and December 11

These classes will be held 10:30 -11:30 a.m. on Sundays

Middle School OWL (7th, 8th, and 9th graders): REGISTRATION CLOSED

 Required parent orientation: Sunday, September 11

 Classes: September 18, September 25, October 2, October 9, October 16, October 23, October 30, November 6, November 13, December 4, December 11, January 8, January 22, January 29, February 8, February 12, February 26, March 5, March 12, March 9, March 26, April 16, April 23, April 30, May 7, May 14, May 21, May 28, June 4

 Please note that these classes will be held 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. on Sundays

High School (10th, 11th, and 12th graders): REGISTRATION CLOSED

High school OWL will be offered in a weekend retreat format on Saturday and Sunday, November 5 and 6, January 7-8, and February 25-26.

Outside of Sunday mornings

Questions? Email our Family Ministry Director Dana Lundquist at dana@uufr.org

Click here to register a child or youth to receive weekly email updates about upcoming programs and events.