UNIVERSITY UNITARIAN CHURCH
Elementary-Age Children
(Kindergarten-5th Grade)
During the services in the summer, Elementary-age children are invited to gather in the Alcott Room for creative free-play and art activities during the service. The button-making-machine is always a popular and very special activity that kids get to use in the summer! We often go outside to play, so we recommend that children apply sunscreen before coming to church.
Read below to get an idea of the programs and events offered for children Kindergarten - 5th Grade during the regular church year (September - June).
Saplings: PreK - Kindergarten
Sundays mornings at 9:30 am
With the help of our friend, Ellery Churchmouse, young children gather to explore spiritual vocabulary and aspects of church life. Their time together art, stories, games, and creative free-play. This group primarily uses activities from "Ellery Churchmouse" by JLK Shattuck and Kathy Smith. Activities from Soul Matters are be woven into Saplings' Sundays, to keep these kids connected to what is being explored in the wider congregation.
Stepping Stones:
Sunday mornings at 9:30 am
In a one-room-schoolhouse style setting, elementary-age kids will explore the ways in which we live out our UU Values and making meaning together with the help of themes from Soul Matters.
Roots: Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Sunday mornings at 11:15 am
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
Sunday mornings at 11:15 am
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. This group primarily uses activities from EPIC, a curriculum by JL Shattuck. Activities from Soul Matters are be woven into Wings' Sundays, to keep these kids connected to what is being explored in the wider congregation.
All Ages Worship:
We believe worship is an important part of community and faith development. Once a month during the program year, usually on the 3rd Sunday of the month, our entire church community gathers for a meaningful, vibrant, and engaging multi-age worship service. These services often include stories, embodied spiritual practice and ritual, and easy-to-sing music. Stepping Stones, Roots and Wings groups do not meet during All Ages Worship.
Parent Night Out:
Parent Night Out events are typically offered during the program year, in September - June
Parents of children ages 6 mos. through 5th grades are invited to drop their kiddos off for an evening of creative fun and enjoy a night to themselves! Programming for young children will include free-play, an art or science-related activity, and a children’s movie. Dinner is be provided. To stay up to date on information about upcoming Parent Night Out events, please subscribe to
the Family Ministry Newsletter.
4th-5th Grade OWL:
Sunday afternoons at 1:00 pm
Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a holistic and comprehensive sexuality education program. OWL provides accurate, developmentally appropriate information about many topics, including relationships, gender identity and expression, sexual health, and cultural influences on sexuality. More information about OWL can be found on our Sexuality Education page. We anticipate offering 4th-5th Grade OWL next in the 2027-2028 church year.
Chalice Camp:
Chalice Camp is our annual, summer day-camp for Unitarian Universalist kids. It is a week of meaningful exploring and community building, including music, art, games, worship, and fun field trips. Chalice Camp is open to elementary-age children, entering 1st through 6th grade. More details can be found on our Camps & Retreats page.