Families have many Learning Opportunities
in our Spiritual Community Unitarian Universalist religious education is grounded in nurturing our children and adults. We give them the building blocks with which to form their own belief rather than indoctrinating them into a system of thought. As Unitarian minister William Ellery Channing said in the early 1800s,"The great end of religious instruction is not to stamp our minds irresistibly upon the young but to stir up their own [minds]."
With that in mind, we offer a varied and open religious education program for our youth. Through the church year (September through mid-June) classes for K-4 are held almost every Sunday, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Exceptions include a few intergenerational services and some holidays. Club UU, for 5th and 6th graders, and Faith Explorers, for 7th and 8th graders, meet from 10:30-11:25 a.m. Our High School youth group meets every other week on Sunday afternoons. (see the calendar below for upcoming dates.) Childcare is available every Sunday for infants and toddlers during the 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. worship services. In the summer, our class for K-4 is held almost every Sunday during the 10:15 a.m. summer worship service. Childcare is available every Sunday for infants and toddlers during the service.
Sunday Programs:
Infant and Toddler Care (Sundays at 9:30 & 11:30 a.m. in the Nursery, 1st floor)
Supervised childcare is offered for infants and toddlers (to age 2) in our first floor space. Free play, stories and simples snacks are available. Parents are asked to bring diapers and any preferred foods for their child.
Chalice Children (Pre-K, Sundays at 9:30 & 11:30 a.m. in the Arts and Crafts Room, 2nd floor)
This program will allow our youngest learners to have a mix of creative play and structured activities with an introduction to such Unitarian Universalist rituals as chalice lighting as a part of their weekly time at church. Early learners (3-4-5 year olds) will gather for stories and snack as a part of their weekly sessions. Parent volunteers are needed to assist with the classroom each week.
Spirit Play (K-4th grade, Sundays at 9:30 & 11:30 a.m., Program Room, 2nd floor)
Drawing from progressive educational approaches to the classroom, especially Montessori methods, this new program will be especially engaging for a mixed age group of learners (kindergarten – 4th grade). As designed, this program will be best for:
- visual, auditory and interpersonal learners
- students curious about stories
- families interested in UU identity through sacred texts and seasonal celebrations
- participants who enjoy ritual, routine and consistent attendance
Spirit Play is a highly praised Unitarian Universalist learning program that incorporates story telling, creativity and personal exploration. Each session includes a “feast time” where children share a snack and fellowship. All participants need to arrive on time and will be asked if they are prepared to enter the space. This program will be quite accessible to a range of ages and learning styles.
Club UU – Grades 5 & 6 (Sundays at 10:30 a.m., Club UU Room, 3rd floor)
This is the third year of Club UU our specialized, developmentally appropriate learning ministry for children who want to be a part of a unique community that explores worship, the arts, spiritual practice and community building. We ask that you make a regular participation a high priority. Students will have the opportunity to participate in worship in our community on several occasions throughout the year.
Faith Explorers – Grades 7 & 8 (Sundays at 10:30 a.m., Starr King Room, 1st floor)
Faith Explorers is based on an adaptation of the “neighboring faiths” and other age-appropriate curricula and invites students to explore their own beliefs by asking and answering questions about religion and life. As questions emerge, visits to local houses of worship or visits with faithful leaders may be arranged. Students will have the opportunity to participate in worship in our community on several occasions throughout the year. Students will also participate service and justice projects throughout the year. In alternate years, this age group participates in the “Coming of Age” Rite of Passage program.
Old City Family Music Class (Sunday Mornings 10:45 a.m. in the 2nd floor Program Room)
"Old City Family Music" is a free Weekly Music Class. All are welcome, however, Children ages 5-10 years old are strongly encouraged. Adults are also welcome but must be accompanied by a child. With instruction in general music notation, percussion, rhythm, voice and choral techniques there is something for everybody. This group will occasionally participate in worship at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland and perform at the church and around the East Bay. All performance is voluntary. Come join this lively group to learn about music and express yourself in song.
The leaders, Kyle and Denise, have over 18 combined years working with children and have been teaching music almost as long. We love to sing and play and we can't wait for you to start at Whole Family.
Youth Ministry
The First Unitarian Church of Oakland offers a youth group for 9-12th graders on every other Sunday afternoon from September through May. Youth meet with their advisors to plan social, spiritual and service activities that may include retreats, learning sessions, worship experience and projects in the neighborhood or for the congregation. Unitarian Universalist identity is supported with guided conversations and reflection as well as opportunities to connect with other teens in nearby congregations. Youth are empowered to set the agenda for their time together in consultation and contact with their adult leaders. Mutual support and respect are nurtured in the group through times of deep sharing and listening in community. While many of the youth have been raised in the church, we seek to be a place of welcome for those who come at any stage of their faith journey. In May, the youth lead a worship service for the congregation, and, as appropriate, participate in such rituals as our youth to adult bridging ceremony.
Time for All Ages in Worship
On the 4th Sunday of each month children join the rest of the worshipping community in the Time for All Ages during the first 20 minutes of worship. This time includes, story, song, and interactive worship arts for the whole family. Children are then dismissed with their teachers to their classrooms for the remaining class time.
Learning Opportunities for Children and Families
At the First Unitarian Church of Oakland we strive to provide a warm and supportive community of Unitarian Universalist faith in which children, youth and their families can mature spiritually, intellectually and ethically.
Register for Fall 2009 Programs Today!
The materials below describe our programs and include material about how to enroll and volunteer in our shared ministry. Please take the time to review the materials and return registration forms to the church office as soon as possible. While much is familiar, there are many changes at hand!
- Registration Letter
- Birth-4th_Grade_Shared_Ministry_Opportunities
- Fall Children and Youth Learning Flier
- Spirit Play - Frequently Asked Questions
- Policies & Procedures
- Code of Ethics (for adults working with our children & youth)
Family Learning Opportunities
Chalice Camp
Chalice Camp is a week-long program of our Pacific Central District held in August at a local regional park for students (grades 1-6) to explore faith and have fun in an intensive Unitarian Universalist environment. Chalice Camp deepens children’s identity as Unitarian Universalists and expands their knowledge of Unitarian Universalism and their capacity to be articulate about their faith. Campers explore and experience UU identity, history, and values through energetic worship, games, drama, art, and community building. Lake Temescal in Oakland provides a beautiful place to run, play, swim, and learn. By worshipping, learning, and playing with UU children from other churches, campers experience a faith community broader than their local church. For more information, check out the chalice camp website at: www.chalicecamp.org.
Our Whole Lives (OWL)
Our Whole Lives (OWL) is sexuality education curricula taught by trained instructors from our congregation. OWL helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, OWL provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but helps participants to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality. OWL uses approaches that work! During the 09-10 program year we will offer OWL classes for grades 4-6 and 7-8. For more information, contact Kate Lenhardt.
Our Church-as-family Conversations
4th Wednesdays of the month, during January, February, March, April and May, 2010, at 7-9 pm
Our Church-as -Family Conversations are a safe, supportive and highly structured series of conversations where people of all ages and generations share life experiences, the stories of the things that really matter in our lives. Our church family will gather once each month to practice Beloved Listening, to deepen our spiritual practice of deep talking and quiet passionate listening. We will practice this listening with our souls wide open; practice “loving more perfectly” and help grow our Beloved Community at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland. The Conversations will happen on the 4th Wednesdays of the months of January, February, March, April and May, 2010. at 7-9 p.m., to share a warm cup, a bowl of soup, and a chunk of tear able bread.
Church-as- Family Conversations will be open to whomever wishes to participate in the specific evening's program. It will feel much like a Covenant Group but the attendance will be on a drop-in basis. No ongoing attendance commitment is required. Let the schedule fit your personal calendar. For more information contact: Beverly Smrha, 2009-2010 Facilitator, at beverlyss@earthlink.net or 510-482-3136.
Adult Learning Program
See our latest Adult Religious Education classes on the adult RE page.
Contact Information:
A regular on-line newsletter called “The Helping Hand” is a resource for parents and friends. To subscribe to this monthly newsletter, just send an email to learn@uuoakland.org with the subject line "subscribe Helping Hand".
For more information about Children and Family Ministry Programs and opportunities, contact Melissa James, the Children and Family Ministry Coordinator. She is in the office Sundays 8am-2pm; Mondays 10am-2pm; and Tuesdays 8am-noon. She is available by appointment other days and evenings. She can be reached at learn@uuoakland.org or by calling the church 510-893-6219 ext. 316.