Children’s Chapel: New this year, Emmy will lead dedicated Children’s worship in the Children’s Chapel on the Garden Level at 10:15 AM most Sundays.  (Please see weekly Friday Update from Emmy to confirm each week.)  Children’s worship will center around nature-based teachings, mythology, and practices.  A time for sharing joys and concerns, seasonal conversation, crafts and singing will take place.  Children’s Chapel will wrap up about 10:45, to allow time to transition to the Sanctuary.

Time For All Ages: Children and youth in grades 2-12 will begin in the Sanctuary every Sunday to participate in worship including opening music and words, chalice lighting, and a specially prepared child-centered activity.  After the Time For All Ages, children and youth will be dismissed to the Garden Level for classes.

Nursery: Childcare will be available in our Nursery at 11 AM for children 3 and under.  Care is provided by two regular childcare staff including our Nursery Coordinator Molly, and an assistant teacher.  Molly grew up at UUSE and is equipped with loads of experience, patience, and creativity to keep our youngest UUs safe and engaged.  Families are always welcome to tour and stay in the nursery at any time.

Pre-K – 1st Grade, Spirit Play: The goal of Spirit Play is to help children live into their own answers to the existential questions: Where did we come from? What are we doing here? How do we choose to live our lives? This highly successful Montessori based program engages children using stories from many traditions and group “wonderings”. Children choose work activities, sing songs, and partake in a “feast” each week.  Spirit Play participants start in their classroom at 11 AM.

Grades 2-5, UU Identity: Our young UUs will engage in hands-on exploration of broad religious concepts and questions through a wide range of activities led by professional staff and volunteers. A typical class will include a lesson explored through art, storytelling, yoga, nature, games & more. A hallmark of this program is the chance for the children to come together with adult members of the congregation who share their time, talents, warmth & wisdom!

Grades 6-8, Junior Youth Group: The junior youth group will follow a nature-based program, focusing on connecting with the land, for both spiritual and practical purposes.  We will be using a curriculum called "Wonders of Nature", inspired by the works of "Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature" written by Jon Young, Ellen Haas, and Evan McGown, as well as Richard Louv’s "The Last Child in the Woods”, and "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer.  The bulk of the class takes place outdoors on UUSE grounds.

Grades 9-12, High School Youth Group: Several different types of programming are incorporated to best meet the needs and interests of our high school youth. At bi-monthly meetings the group will get together to talk, play games, cook, eat, watch a movie, attend a service together or work on a service project. There will also be opportunities for social activities or other special events outside the building.  Many of these activities will enable youth to work toward the Distinguished Youth Service Award (DYSA) if they choose.

Affirmation: A Coming of Age program for our 10th graders to explore their own spiritual beliefs as emerging young adults.  This year-long program is led by a dedicated teacher team including a facilitator, two assistant facilitators, the DCYM, and our Minister.  Youth will also be paired with mentors who will serve as “spiritual peers with more years of lived experience,” and attend an overnight field trip and pilgrimage to Boston.