Sunday Mornings:
Small, age-based groups for children and teens are available on Sunday morning during the service. In these groups, children and teens explore our values and purpose at church, how to navigate the challenges of life and community, and the rituals and practices that ground us.
These small groups will begin meeting on September 27.
9:30 Service:
- Sprouts Care (6 mos - Preschool): Quality and loving childcare during the service is provided by
Jasmin Capestany and Sarah Bullock, UUC’s Childcare Providers. Young children begin to experience some of our core Unitarian Universalist rituals through snack time, stories, music, and play.
- Saplings (4-6 year olds): Through stories and art, young children begin to learn the language of spiritual practice and religious life. This year, Saplings will try using the
Spirit Play approach to storytelling, to introduce our Unitarian Universalist values and rituals, and to encourage a sense of wonder and awe amongst young children.
- Stepping Stones (1st-5th Grade): In a one-room-schoolhouse style setting, elementary-age kids explore the ways in which we live out our UU Values and make meaning together with the help of themes from
Soul Matters.
11:15 Service:
- Sprouts Care (6 mos - Preschool): Quality and loving childcare during the service is provided by
Jasmin Capestany and Sarah Bullock, UUC’s Childcare Providers. Young children begin to experience some of our core Unitarian Universalist rituals through snack time, stories, music, and play.
- Roots (K-2nd Grade): Similar to Stepping Stones, in Roots young elementary-age kids continue to develop their understandings of our religious traditions and values, and how we care for one another at church with the help of themes from
Soul Matters.
- Wings (3rd-5th Grade): Through a mix of play, art, and conversation children in 3rd-5th grade are introduced to five areas of congregational life: Spiritual Growth, Community Care, Hospitality, Justice-Making, and Worship. They are introduced to these important aspects of our community as community skills, which they themselves can put into action and, through this, become active and loving co-creators of church life.
- World Religions (6th-8th Grade): Young tweens and teens learn about Unitarian Universalism and about other faith traditions. Youth learn about the important theological questions explored in all faith traditions, develop their ability to see from a range of perspectives, and cultivate interfaith connection. Chaperoned field trips to visit our neighbors in faith provide a meaningful foundation for creative activities, readings, videos and discussion throughout the year.
In addition to these groups, just like adults, children and teens experience faith development and community connection through meaningful worship experiences. This year, UUC will continue with the worship pattern established last year:
- On the first Sunday of the month, children and teens will start in the Chapel, with the rest of the congregation, to participate in the service and hear a Time for All Ages. Following the Time for All Ages, they are “sung out” and go to their various, age-based small groups.
Our first Time for All Ages will take place on October 4.
- All Ages Worship typically (though not always!), takes place on the third Sunday of the month. These services, intentionally and collaboratively crafted by the Director of Family Ministry and Ministers, are dynamic and engaging worship experiences. They are often built around stories and rituals, and encourage connection across the ages at church.
Upcoming All Ages Worship services are on September 20 and October 18.
- Periodically throughout the year, children and teens gather in a multi-age setting for Children’s Chapel. Typically in celebration of a holiday or season, these worship experiences are short and child-centered, giving children and teens the opportunity to experience song and ritual in a context built for them.
The next Children’s Chapel will take place on November 1 for All Souls Day.
Youth Programs & Events:
UUC’s youth programs remain dynamic, responding to the interests and needs of the particular teens participating in these programs. In addition to what’s described below, teens at UUC also work together to plan a special Youth-Led Service in February and many grow their leadership by volunteering with young children on Sunday mornings.
- Youth Group (9th-12th Grade): This fall, Youth Group’s big project is planning and hosting a Youth Con! They will meet on Sunday, September 20, from 1:00-2:30 pm to begin planing, then again on Sunday, October 3, from 11:15 am-12:15 pm to continue. Following the Youth Con (details below), Youth Group will meet once a month on Sunday mornings at 11:15 am and once a month for a special Youth Meet Up.
- Coming of Age (9th-10th Grade): Coming of Age (COA) is a rite of passage experience where participants explore their personal and spiritual beliefs. In this program, teens explore questions about god, identity, death, good and evil, justice-making, and personal purposes. Coming of Age culminates in a solo vigil and the development of a faith statement, which teens share with the congregation during a special service in May. Those interested in learning more about Coming of Age are invited to the information session on October 4 from 1:00-2:00 pm in the Fahs-Mann Room. COA will begin on November 1.
- Youth Cons (9th-10th Grade): Youth conferences, or "cons" for short, are led by youth from our region, especially those at the host congregation. It’s a weekend-long regional gathering of Unitarian Universalist youth where teens from all over the Pacific Northwest come together for worship, workshops, learning, fun, and community building. Youth Cons are typically quarterly; UUC is hosting the Fall Youth Con on October 23-25!
- Those interested in Youth Cons, Camps, and youth leadership development might be interested in reading
Morgan Sherwood’s recent letter to the Pacific Western Region, expressing the vital role these Youth Camps and Cons play in the future of our Unitarian Universalist faith tradition.
Note: Historically, UUC has offered both Jr. High OWL and Coming of Age every year. To better support the growth of all Family Ministry programs and to reduce the load placed on staff and volunteers to sustain such significant programs each year, we are moving to an every-other-year model. Coming of Age will be offered this year, for 9th-10th Graders and Jr. High OWL will be offered
next year (2027-2028) for 8th-9th Graders.
Parent Connection & Support:
Parents and caregivers play a vital role in the faith and religious development of their children. Therefore, it is important for parents and caregivers to have opportunities to develop friendships and connections with one another, and to deepen their own spiritual lives.
- Moms+ Group: Moms, or those who mother, with children and teens at home are invited to gather for informal conversation, mutual support, and deepening friendships at UUC. Drop-in participants are absolutely welcome. The Moms+ Group meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 8:00-9:00 pm in the Emerson Room and is open to drop-in participation. Those interested are encouraged to reach out to
Alison Meharavi to get added to the email list for this group.
- Dads Group: Dads of young children are invited to join this informal group for conversation and support! This group meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, from 8:00-9:00 pm in the Dix Room and is open to drop-in attendance. Those interested are encouraged to contact
John Granillo-Dodds to get added to the email list.
- Parent Night Out: About every other month, UUC offers a chance for parents/caregivers to drop their children off at church for an evening of creative fun, while they enjoy some time to themselves. Programming for children typically includes free-play, an art or science-related activity, and a children’s movie. We often make pizza for dinner! The first Parent Night Out event of the year will be on Saturday, October 17.
- Respite & Connection Events: These events are for families with children and teens with disabilities and neurodiversity. They are for parents and caregivers to connect with one another and get some time to themselves, while their children receive loving care from UUC Childcare Providers and volunteers. We anticipate these events will be offered every other month, beginning in November.
- Parents as Sexuality Educators: This group offers parents and caregivers a chance to reflect on and learn tools for supporting their children’s healthy sexual development. It is offered concurrently to OWL classes and adapts from the
UUA’s Parents as Sexuality Educators small group ministry curriculum.
Other Events & Programs:
In addition to our “core” programs described above, there are a wide range of ways that children, teens, and parents, connect with one another and develop their religious muscles:
- All Ages Talent Show: We are excited to resurrect this tradition so that UUC members and friends can have the opportunity to share your gifts and talents with each other in a positive and affirming environment. The
All Ages Talent Show will be on Saturday, October 3, at 6:30 pm.
- Faith in Action Events: These quarterly events are opportunities for people of all ages to put their UU values into practice through accessible and fun events. The first Faith in Action Event of the year will be on November 7th, in collaboration with
350Seattle.
- Holiday Events: Holidays throughout the year offer us unique opportunities to celebrate and mark the passage of time, and to make meaning together. Our next holiday celebration will be a Trunk or Treat event, put on in partnership with
Transplant House, on October 31. The winter holidays are also on the horizon and will include Gingerbread Making for teens on December 7, the Holiday Decorating Party on December 6, and a Winter Solstice Labyrinth on December 20.
- Chalice Camp: Chalice Camp is UUC’s annual summer day-camp for Unitarian Universalist kids. Each week of Camp is full of fun, including music, art, games, worship, and meaningful field trips. Each year, we strengthen children’s Unitarian Universalist identity through these activities, and by supporting the development of friendships that last throughout the year.
- Following a particularly great year of Camp, with new approaches to Counselor training, we are looking forward to a fun and meaningful summer in 2027!
Read more about the Youth Leadership & Counselor Training, and the use of the Jon Luopa Leadership Fund in this report.
- Our Whole Lives: At UUC, we know that comprehensive sexuality education is a sacred right, which affirms the full personhood of each of us and helps us to live out our values in the most intimate aspects of our lives. Currently, UUC offers
Our Whole Lives (OWL) programs for children and teens:
- Elementary OWL: There are two OWL classes for elementary-age children, which help children begin the life long process of acquiring information and forming attitudes and values about relationships, safety, and health. This year, UUC will offer OWL for Kindergarten -1st Grade, beginning in February. The OWL class for 4th-5th Graders will be offered next year, during the 2027-2028 program year.
- Jr. High OWL: In this OWL class, youth explore many topics, such as anatomy and physiology, gender, sexual orientation, relationships, dating, pregnancy, contraception, and sexual decision making. As mentioned above, OWL for 8th-9th Grade is offered every other year at UUC. It will next be offered during the 2027-2028 church year.
- Family Camp Out: People of all ages are invited on this fun weekend of tent-camping, with all sorts of games and activities! Our next Family Camp Out will take place in the summer of 2027, details TBD.
For more information about the programs and events above, please contact Family Ministry Staff:
Aria Curtis, Director of Family Ministry
aria.curtis@uuchurch.org | 206-454-7720
Amanda Mack, Youth Ministry Coordinator
amanda.mack@uuchurch.org
Ash Long, Family Ministry Coordinator
ash.long@uuchurch.org
Family Ministry and Youth Ministry Newsletters
To stay up to date on events and programs for children, teens, and parents, we encourage you to
sign up for the Family Ministry and Youth Ministry Newsletters. These are sent out by Family Ministry staff on a weekly basis, with details about the upcoming Sunday and information about upcoming events for families.
Subscribe to the Family Ministry Newsletter |
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