Children+and+Youth+Ministry+Core+Programs

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The Community Church of Chapel Hill Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Children and Youth--Core Sunday Programs **2012-2013 Ministry Program for Children and Youth--Begins September 9, 2012** The Ministry Program is worship based. No matter the age, worship is central to the church experience. Beginning with the Pre-K classes through high school our children and youth worship each week. The program is organized into small ministry groups so the children and youth can get to know and build community with their age mates and worship together.

=** Sunday Programs Summary **= 9:30 AM
 * Nursery and Toddler Childcare (ages 0-3)
 * Pre-K --Chalice Children
 * K-5th Grade Small Ministry Groups--Our Sources
 * 6th Grade--Neighboring Faiths
 * Middle School--Interdependent Web of Life

11:15 AM
 * Nursery, Toddler and Pre-K Childcare (ages 0-5)
 * K-5th Grade Small -- Interdependent Web of Life
 * Middle School--Traditions with a Wink

4:30-6:00 PM -1st and 3rd Sundays
 * Middle School Youth Group (6th-8th Grade)

6:00-7:45 PM
 * High School Youth Group (9th-12th Grade)

___ =**Program Descriptions**=

This curriculum helps young children learn what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist. Children learn about their religious community, engage in sharing with others, and explore a sense of belonging. Chalice Children is based upon a philosophy that a child’s spiritual development is related to direct experience.
 * Pre-K Class (9:30) **
 * Chalice Children **

The Theme for the Year is Unitarian Universalist Identity with a focus on the 6 Sources of UU Faith which are:
 * K-5th Grade (9:30 ** )
 * Sources! **
 * Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
 * Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
 * Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
 * Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
 * Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;
 * Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

Once a month the children join the adults in sanctuary for Mulitgenerational Worship time which gives children a chance to worship with their parents and be connected to the whole community. Once a month the children attend a children’s worship service together in the Community Room led by Marion Hirsch, Director of Lifespan Religious Education. Twice a month the children will gather in small ministry groups which also include worship.

T ** ypical Weekly Schedule (except for Multigenerational Service Sundays) **

Gathering Time (10 minutes) Children gather in small ministry groups according to age. Worship (20 minutes) Includes chalice lighting, singing, and joys and concerns. This is when the lesson and story for the week is shared either in small or large groups. Activity (20 minutes) Activities, crafts, cooking, games, or discussion relating to the lesson. Outside Play (10 minutes) Children look forward to fun on our beautiful playgrounds, weather permitting.

Youth explore other religions in our community by actually visiting temples, mosques and churches. Classes will be held at 9:30 but church visits will be flexible based on when services are held. This class will be led by Peter Bird and Kim Gush.
 * 6th Grade (9:30)**
 * Neighboring Faiths**

The Middle School Youth at 9:30 will be learning about our faith and traditions by exploring nature on our beautiful campus. This program is led by Natalie Zucchino, a life long Unitarian Universalist who is a wildlife educator at the Piedmnot Wildlife Center and the Museum of Life and Science. Once a month the youth join the adults in sanctuary for Multi-generational Worship time, which gives youth an opportunity to worship with their parents and be connected to the whole community.
 * 6th- 8th Graded (9:30)**
 * Interdependent Web of Life**

The elementary age children at 11:15 will be learning about our faith and traditions by exploring nature on our beautiful campus. This program is led by Natalie Zucchino, a life long Unitarian Universalist who is a wildlife educator at the Piedmnot Wildlife Center and the Museum of Life and Science. Once a month the children join the adults in sanctuary for Multi-generational Worship time, which gives children a chance to worship with their parents and be connected to the whole community.
 * K-5th Grade (11:15)**
 * Interdependent Web of Life**

Middle School Youth at 11:15 will explore their Unitarian Universalist Hertiage in an engaging way. This class is taught by Marion Hirsch, and Martha Martin.
 * 6th-8th Grade (11:15)**
 * Traditions with A Wink**

An exploration of Unitarian Universalism through discussion, activities, games, and crafts. Service projects and fellowship events are also included. Will be led by Agatha Buell.
 * Middle School Youth Group (4:30-6:00) **

Weekly meetings include dinner from 6:00-6:30 followed by a program. Games, discussion, guest speakers, worship and art are all an integral part of the weekly meeting. Service trips and retreats are also a big part of our time together. Led by Marion Hirsch, Jeff Nelson, John Hite and Maureen O'Rouke.
 * High School Youth Group (6-7:30 PM Sundays) **