Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in our Children’s Religious Exploration Program (RE) at the Brookfield Unitarian Universalist Church.
Based on the Unitarian Universalist Principles and UU Sources, (see below) our children experience Unitarian Universalism through Sunday service, discussion, art, music, drama activities, community service, and fun.
Our children and youth are an active part of the BUUC congregation – from leading service to hosting coffee hour. Our services are a reflection of those led by Rev. Craig. We explore the theme of the month with movement, stories, and activities.
Parents are welcome to visit classes and are encouraged to contact me with questions, ideas or concerns. I ask that parents keep me informed of any situation that may impact your child’s learning or behavior. I am available and happy to meet with parents digitally.
What Happens on Sunday Mornings?
Currently all ages meet on Zoom at 9:30a. We begin with sharing our Joys and Concerns, share announcements, and say our chalice lighting as we light our chalice. We follow with saying our affirmation together. All of these elements are things children would normally experience with the whole congregation before recessing to the Children’s Program Area.
Early in our Zoom call, we usually do a bit of yoga to make sure we get a bit of movement and concentrated breath work to allow us to focus better. We usually hear a story or poem, and follow with some discussion. Afterwards, we have some kind of activity. Sometimes we make art, sometimes we play a game, sometimes we learn a song…the activity varies week to week!
Afterwards, we extinguish our chalice and say our closing words. My goal is to be finished in time for adults to be able to reclaim their tech and join the regular Sunday Service at 10:30a.
Intergenerational services happen occasionally throughout the year (see below), and on IG Sundays we meet at 10:30a with the rest of the congregation.
When services are held in the building, we believe it is important for families to have the opportunity to worship together. We ask that all children sit with their families (about 15 minutes) until the children’s recessional. At that time children leave to continue their church experience in an age accommodating manner. Children are welcome to remain quietly in the sanctuary for continued worship if the family chooses.
The Children’s Program area is in the basement of our building and, upon our ‘sing out’ from worship, the children divide into age defined groups as attendance allows. Our age/grade guidelines for our young children are flexible as we feel that children should be accommodated according to their own particular spot on their maturational path and their life experiences. RE groups are dismissed by 11:45. Parents are welcome to visit in RE and encouraged to volunteer in the program. Children join the adult community for Snacks and Fellowship following RE.
Intergenerational/All Community Worship: All children are offered the choice to participate in these services which are scheduled occasionally throughout the year. People of all ages have the opportunity to participate by offering readings, music, ushering or greeting. Families are encouraged to have all children remain in the sanctuary for the entire service, but the Nursery will be staffed for young children who may need a break!
UU Rainbow Principles
Red Respect Every Being
Orange Offer Kindness
Yellow Yearn to Learn Together
Green Grow With Each Other in Spirit & Mind
Blue Believe in Yourself while Listening to Others
Indigo Insist on Freedom & Peace and Justice
Violet Value the Earth and all the Universe
The UU Path we share draws from many Sources
~Our own wonder at being & joy of living
~Others who have been kind and fair in words and deeds
~Wisdom from all religions
~Jewish & Christian teachings to love others as we love ourselves
~Humanist teachings that honor science and reason in our search for truth
~Earth-centered teachings honoring life, nature and it’s rhythms
Thank you for your interest in our Children’s Religious Exploration Program (RE) at the Brookfield Unitarian Universalist Church.
Based on the Unitarian Universalist Principles and UU Sources, (see below) our children experience Unitarian Universalism through Sunday service, discussion, art, music, drama activities, community service, and fun.
Our children and youth are an active part of the BUUC congregation – from leading service to hosting coffee hour. Our services are a reflection of those led by Rev. Craig. We explore the theme of the month with movement, stories, and activities.
Parents are welcome to visit classes and are encouraged to contact me with questions, ideas or concerns. I ask that parents keep me informed of any situation that may impact your child’s learning or behavior. I am available and happy to meet with parents digitally.
- Cara Wales, Director of Religious Exploration
What Happens on Sunday Mornings?
Currently all ages meet on Zoom at 9:30a. We begin with sharing our Joys and Concerns, share announcements, and say our chalice lighting as we light our chalice. We follow with saying our affirmation together. All of these elements are things children would normally experience with the whole congregation before recessing to the Children’s Program Area.
Early in our Zoom call, we usually do a bit of yoga to make sure we get a bit of movement and concentrated breath work to allow us to focus better. We usually hear a story or poem, and follow with some discussion. Afterwards, we have some kind of activity. Sometimes we make art, sometimes we play a game, sometimes we learn a song…the activity varies week to week!
Afterwards, we extinguish our chalice and say our closing words. My goal is to be finished in time for adults to be able to reclaim their tech and join the regular Sunday Service at 10:30a.
Intergenerational services happen occasionally throughout the year (see below), and on IG Sundays we meet at 10:30a with the rest of the congregation.
When services are held in the building, we believe it is important for families to have the opportunity to worship together. We ask that all children sit with their families (about 15 minutes) until the children’s recessional. At that time children leave to continue their church experience in an age accommodating manner. Children are welcome to remain quietly in the sanctuary for continued worship if the family chooses.
The Children’s Program area is in the basement of our building and, upon our ‘sing out’ from worship, the children divide into age defined groups as attendance allows. Our age/grade guidelines for our young children are flexible as we feel that children should be accommodated according to their own particular spot on their maturational path and their life experiences. RE groups are dismissed by 11:45. Parents are welcome to visit in RE and encouraged to volunteer in the program. Children join the adult community for Snacks and Fellowship following RE.
Intergenerational/All Community Worship: All children are offered the choice to participate in these services which are scheduled occasionally throughout the year. People of all ages have the opportunity to participate by offering readings, music, ushering or greeting. Families are encouraged to have all children remain in the sanctuary for the entire service, but the Nursery will be staffed for young children who may need a break!
UU Rainbow Principles
Red Respect Every Being
Orange Offer Kindness
Yellow Yearn to Learn Together
Green Grow With Each Other in Spirit & Mind
Blue Believe in Yourself while Listening to Others
Indigo Insist on Freedom & Peace and Justice
Violet Value the Earth and all the Universe
The UU Path we share draws from many Sources
~Our own wonder at being & joy of living
~Others who have been kind and fair in words and deeds
~Wisdom from all religions
~Jewish & Christian teachings to love others as we love ourselves
~Humanist teachings that honor science and reason in our search for truth
~Earth-centered teachings honoring life, nature and it’s rhythms