(6 months – Pre-K)

Loving and age-appropriate care is available for children during morning worship services.

(Pre-K)

Heart Talk for Kids is an active peacemaking curriculum based on Compassionate Communication. Children learn basic skills involved in communicating with empathy and understanding of common needs and feelings. Chalice Children introduces young children to the rituals and practices of Unitarian Universalism and familiarizes them with our community here at church.

Childcare is available during Connection Hour in the Lower Meeting Room or children may join Multigenerational Activities with their Caregivers.

Children join the larger congregation for the beginning of worship each week. This time together in worship is an important part of children’s religious education and faith development.

Tapestry of Faith curricula guide our elementary-level religious education classes.

K/1st – World of Wonder

2nd/3rd – Moral Tales

4th/5th – Toolbox of Faith

(4th/5th grade)

(K – 5th grade)

Participants will take the challenge of balancing their use of technology and their connection to the natural world. One’s ability to make informed food choices, use technology wisely, unplug and have fun are supported.

Participants will explore the challenge of not following the crowd when pressures to conform are high. Basic skills of reduction of social anxiety and fear, critical moral reasoning, resistance to peer pressure, and free religious inquiry will be practiced. A service project(s) addressing the human need for self-determination will be included.

Children join the larger congregation for the beginning of worship each week. This time together in worship is an important part of children’s religious education and faith development.

(Middle School)

(Middle School)

In this small group, teens examine what it means to be a UU in everyday life and to embrace our mission and history more fully. Culminating activities include a pilgrimage to historical UU sites in Boston and a rite of passage celebration.

The year includes group challenges, retreats, worship, sexuality education, social action, and more!

*Youth may participate in both Youth Group and Coming of Age.

Youth experience Unitarian Universalist ritual as a part of what binds us together. Throughout the year youth participate actively in worship, creating their own youth worship experiences and helping out in larger congregational worship.

To close out the year, youth create and lead an entire worship service based on their year of learning to share with the larger congregation.

Youth can choose or self-organize for common interest groups across ages such as UU Choir, UU Animal and Environmental Advocates, board games, jam band, etc.

(9th grade)

Check it out! Open to all high school teens, Youth Group is a youth-driven meet-up with room for everyone to get involved in community building, social action, and spiritual development! Come when you can or be part of a strong core of regulars. Typical group activities include a weekly check-in and a learning/action activity—everything from art meditation to packing condoms, from planning a fundraiser for scholarships in Honduras to making videos or CDs! Social action projects and learning are in partnership with a First Unitarian ministry and one national UU initiative!

*Youth may participate in both Youth Group and Coming of Age in the same year.

Youth gather to lead and participate in music, ritual, and story. This worship includes interactive questions, mindfulness practice, and encouragement to build their UU faith wherever they are.

Youth can choose or self-organize for common interest groups across ages such as UU Choir, UU Animal and Environmental Advocates, board games, jam band, etc.

(10th – 12th grade)

These community gatherings are a chance for families to learn, do, or just be together in the wider Rochester area and beyond! Lightly programmed, these will invite shared experiences and reflection, fun and exploration for families of any make-up! First Fall Friday, Unirondack, Spring Retreat.

A monthly caring circle for any parent/grandparent/guardian who wishes to learn non-violent communication skills, embodied mindfulness techniques, and how to nourish gratitude. This year the focus is on tending your UU home from a Buddhist perspective and with JUST Communication.

A quarterly offering for parents who are single, widowed, co-parenting or parallel parenting with a caregiver in another household.

A new group forming to support parents of transgender children and youth, based on group needs and concerns. Time/ frequency TBD by group members.

A semi-annual circle of parents/guardians whose children are in transition as young adults.

If your child has a special need, our Friends in Faith program may be able to help.

Contact Sarah to discuss.

An annual offering for families wanting to integrate UU values more deeply into home life. Basics of equity-based communication, family circle process, mindfulness practice, and gratitude practice will be shared. Contact us with questions.

Click here for more information.

Some RE programs have parent meetings scheduled as part of your child’s learning. You will be notified individually of these. For questions about out Parent Orientation to our program contact Candy. Looking for a group that doesn’t (yet) exist? Contact us at (YouthMinistry@rochesterunitarian.org).