Programs for Children
Our Cooperative Sunday Morning Programs
Children and their parents/guardians make our religious education program successful at First Parish. At both the 9:00 and 11:00 o'clock services, children explore their own spiritual lives in meaningful ways, with the active involvement and support of caring adults who participate in a variety of roles as teachers, workshop leaders and guides, creative arts leaders, social action leaders and more.
Please sign up for our RE listserv for important RE announcements, notices and cancellations.
Caregiving for 2 months - 2 years
The youngest children at First Parish are warmly welcomed by volunteers and teen assistants in our nursery/toddler classrooms. Parents are invited to bring their children to the classroom ten minutes before worship services begin.
Parent Coordinator - Dawn van Patten, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
StoryPlay - Combined 3 & 4 year olds
Through stories, our 3s and 4s explore timeless themes such as belonging, family, seasons, friends and others. After a group story, the children will engage in simple crafts in this Montessori-based program. . Parents are invited to bring their children to the classroom ten minutes before worship services begin.
Parent Coordinator - Dawn van Patten, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Spirit Play - Combined Kindergarten and First Grade Class
Spirit Play is a powerful medium for telling oral stories to children. These stories will explore our Unitarian Universalist values, principles and history as well as biblical stories from the Hebrew Scriptures and Gospels.
Children of this age begin worship with their parents in the sanctuary and are escorted to their classrooms after the 'Message to Children'.
Parent Coordinator - Dawn van Patten, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Religious Education for Grades 2 - 6
RE Workshops (Grades 2-5):
This year we continue our popular Workshop Rotation program for our 2nd through 5th graders. Each term we will cover one of four pillars (or themes):
- Fall: We Are UU: Social Justice
- Holiday Term:Judeo-Christian Teachings
- Winter: Hold On to What is Good
- Spring: World Religions
The children participate in a program of spiritual exploration through story, nature, worship and science. This series of hands-on workshops will include art, drama, and social action.
For specific lesson information, see our terms: 11-12_RE_Term_BriefOverview.pdf
Parent Coordinator: Alyssa Bigay, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
6th Grade Youth Group:
Our 6th graders gather as a group and participate in community-building projects and activities: planting our community garden, playing games, going on short field trips, working on our building and grounds, and discussing ethical and social dilemmas.
Children in Kindergarten through Grade 6 start in the Sanctuary with their families. Following the Children’s Message, the children leave the Sanctuary for the planned activity in RE.
Parent Coordinator - Kate Svrcek, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.