Religious Education

The Nursery is a safe and fun place for our youngest members and visitors. We maintain a staff of trained and consistent sitters. Babies and Children are lovingly cared for each Sunday morning from 10:15 to noon. Our youngest participants will have age-appropriate activities, art projects, songs, and snack while forming their first community at UUSO.

Religious Education begins at Kindergarten and lasts through 12th grade. In RE classes, children and youth can be part of a supportive, questioning, open-minded, justice-seeking community of friends that can prop them up in ways which are not found anywhere else in their lives. The curricula are popular, dynamic, and fun. Please encourage RE participants to come to church as often as they can. The more they attend, the more they will benefit from the RE Program! All religious education programs end at noon. Whether coming to RE for the first time, once every so often, or for every possible class, everyone is always welcome!

Each year on Easter Sunday, the children participate in an Easter egg hunt, but instead of eggs, they search for cans of food, which are then delivered to local food banks.

Where do I go on a Sunday Morning? Most weeks, we offer “Start Together” Sundays. K-6th grade RE participants will begin their day in the Sanctuary. After the “Time For All Ages,” the congregation will sing the children out and RE classes will begin. We occasionally have “Stay Together” Sundays, where children participate in an intergenerational worship service with the rest of the UUSO congregation. This information will also be listed in your order of service. The JR/SR YRUU, Young Religious Unitarian Universalists, group begins at 10:30. They meet most often at the nearby Olympia Brown House at 16 Ford Ave. Check “Next Sunday’s Classes” to view their activities.

“Start Together” Sundays: On Start Together Sundays, children from K-6th grade begin their day at 10:30 in the sanctuary sitting with their families. They are invited to participate in a part of the service called “Time for All Ages” – usually a short story or discussion. Sometimes they are invited to sit at the front of the sanctuary if they would like. You are welcome to accompany your child to the front if it would help your child feel more comfortable. After “Time for All Ages,” the congregation sings the children out and the RE teachers walk the children to their classrooms.
“Stay Together” Sundays: “Stay Together” means that there are no classes and children will remain with their families for an Intergenerational Service. These services are crafted to be meaningful for all ages. There are activity “Chalice Bags” in the foyer of the church for those who are able to have a fuller experience if they keep their hands busy. Look for a “Nursery Chalice” bag if your child is under three years old. People of all ages have been known to use Chalice Bags!
Religious Education Worship Services:
- Children’s Worship: Children from Kindergarten through Sixth Grade begin their day at 10:30in the front room of the nearby Olympia Brown House (16 Ford Ave.). The Director of Religious Education leads services that incorporate elements of adult worship such as chalice lighting, singing, joys and sorrows, and exploring a theme of Spirit. The service is followed by a snack, games, and activities that relate to the worship service. We sometimes use the beautiful backyard at the nearby Olympia Brown house such as when we build a Sukkah or hunt for Easter cans for donation to area food pantries.
- Religious Education Service in the Sanctuary: These services are led by RE participants who take turns choosing readings and topics.

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