Children’s Church  / Religious Education
2023-2024

Families will gather each Sunday morning in the Sanctuary for shared worship during the beginning of the service. After a Time for All Ages, on most weeks children and youth ages 12 and younger depart for children’s church which meets downstairs. Lesson use the Soul Matters curriculum and are coordinated with the themes of the sermon for the week. Approximately once per month, there will be multigenerational worship services, where everyone stays upstairs for a special all-ages service.

While we provide religious education for children ages 12 and under, youth ages 12-17 are welcome as well if they would like to participate or help out.

Newcomers

Before the church service begins, either Ashley Nelson (Director of Spiritual Development) or Olivia T, (Chair of the Children’s Spiritual Development Committee—CSDC) can give you a short tour downstairs and show you your child’s classroom. If you plan on visiting AUUC more than three times throughout the year, we ask that you complete a registration form, from one of the greeters, or from me. We highly recommend you register your child so you will receive our RE communications and announcements. Registration will also help with contact tracing in the event of a Covid outbreak.

A Message from AUUC’s New Director of Spiritual Development

I am so excited to be a part of Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church as the new Director of Spiritual Development. Thank you to all for the warm and inviting welcome! Educating our children in the area of spiritual development is such an important role and one that I am delighted to serve in.

For all those who may be interested in volunteering on Sunday as a Religious Educator- I need you!!! We have a new sign-up sheet and would love to have all participate who are interested. Please reach out to me regarding an interest.

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
Warmly,
Ashley Nelson

Volunteer Opportunities

The programs we offer are a truly collaborative effort. They have grown out of the hopes and hard work of the members and friends of this faith community. The Children’s Spiritual Development Committee leads an extensive ministry that is staffed by many volunteers from the congregation, including those both with and without children currently in the program.

We are still in need of more volunteers to support our in person programming for this upcoming year.  We hope you consider sharing your talents with our religious education program at AUUC by filling out the volunteer form.

All volunteers regularly working with our young people must complete an application process to volunteer, including undergoing a background check, understanding and agreeing to our Safe Congregation Policy, and signing a Code of Ethics. In addition, volunteers in the Coming of Age Program will meet the parents or guardians of the youth prior to the program.

If you would like to join a teaching team, assist in a classroom, or help the program in another way, please contact dsd@accotinkuu.org.

Safety

Each RE classroom downstairs has its own dedicated air purifier, new, easy-to-open windows, and the church has increased the frequency of our cleaning services. The comfort and safety of our teachers, facilitators, and participants is our first consideration in determining how we move forward with our Religious Education program.  Please let me know if there is anything else we can do to support you and your family.

Please reach out to me or any member of the Children’s Spiritual Development Committee with any questions or concerns. We also welcome your ideas for future programming. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Learn More

If you have any questions or would like more information about the Children’s Spiritual Development Program, please contact:

Director of Spiritual Development, Ashley Nelson at dsd@accotinkuuc.org

Children’s Spiritual Development Committee Chair, Olivia Tuggle, at csdc@accotinkuu.org

If you would like to schedule an appointment with the DSD to discuss any aspect of your child’s participation in AUUC’s RE program, you may initiate a conversation by contacting the DSD Ashley Nelson at dsd@accotinkuuc.org.

Register now!  Use the online form