Children
Welcome to Our Children’s Education Program!
Religious Exploration for Grades k-6
Register for 2024-2025 Elementary Religious Education
Overview
Welcome! Our Religious Exploration (RE) program guides children (K-6) to discover their own spirituality, celebrate curiosity and wonder, and feel empowered to improve their community even in small ways. By exploring world religions and diverse spiritual practices, each child learns more about the world around them. Children have big questions, and RE is a safe place to ask them! Throughout the RE journey, each child develops a deeper connection to self, community, and the greater world. We seek an outcome of respectful, responsible, life-loving kids who know they are valued for all of who they are and are ready to show others the same deep love and acceptance.
Why do I take my kids on Sunday?
We believe that young people have spiritual lives that need to be nurtured and tended to. Religious Education at UUCD strives to instill children with an understanding of Unitarian Universalist principles and our responsibility to do right by others and the planet. We believe children should make decisions for themselves, but not by themselves—and that they should know they are supported by a village of care and love. Exploring your faith together can strengthen family bonds and underscore the messages and values that you as parents are already teaching. We want you to feel that you are not alone in raising good people!
Where do I take my kids on Sunday?
Children are always welcome to participate in worship service with their family, but if a child chooses to attend an RE class, they will be dismissed from worship following the Story for All Ages. The RE teacher will usher the children to their classroom where family can collect them after service concludes.
Attendance
Children who attend RE classes regularly build stronger connections and derive the greatest benefits from their lessons and church community. When the same group gathers each week, they explore together, grow together, make plans together, and look forward to being together again. Balancing weekend schedules in today’s families isn’t easy, but Your family's presence enriches the experience for everyone. We hope to see your children as often as you are able!
No Registration Fee
There is no fee for Religious Education Exploration or childcare at UUCD. Programs for children, youth, and families are an essential ministry of UUCD and are , funded by the annual gifts of the members and friends of the congregation. Upon registering for Religious Exploration, we ask families to develop an annual giving plan if they haven't already. Please give generously, as you are able.
Do You Need Family Support?
If you or your family need practical support or pastoral care, contact our Director of Religious Exploration at dre@uuduluth.org or call the church office (218-724-0308) to reach the minister or administrative staff. It takes a village – please give us the opportunity to help.
Chalice Children Childcare for Ages 1-4
Sundays from 10:15 am - 11:45 am, September - June
Our Chalice Children Childcare Program is held during our worship services and emphasizes the care of community and the curiosity and wonder of early childhood. In a group setting, with loving adult and youth guides, young children can be creative and curious as they experience the benefit of a supportive community. A story, craft, and activities will be provided.
Please feel free to use Chalice Children Childcare as it works best for your family during worship. Some children head to Chalice Children following the Story for All Ages, others spend the entire worship service in childcare, others mix it up or drop in as needed. If required, please provide diapering supplies for your child when you arrive.
No pre-registration is required for Chalice Children.
Summer Day Camp (k-6)
In collaboration with a several of Duluth’s faith communities, UUCD offers a multicultural day camp for a week each June with the mission to provide a fun, educational environment in which children can learn the messages and practices of non-violence and peacemaking from various world traditions. Activities and curriculum focus on using mindful movement, connecting to nature, and media literacy to prepare campers for the development of real skills in conflict resolution. Our summer day camp is a place to make friends, learn, grow, and practice peace-building.
Please check back for more details as collaborating between faith communities takes time!
Additional Special Events
UUCD kids know how to have a good time! We make sure each year is filled with plenty of joy, fun, and connection. Past special events for kids have included movie and popcorn nights, holiday parties, story walks, cooking parties, and collaborative art projects. New ideas for special events are always welcome!
Please check back here for information about future events!
Social Justice Action (k-12)
UUCD kids take their UU values out into the world with them, and UUCD helps show children and youth how they can take action to make the world a better place for us all Past action activities include:
Chalk the Vote: A get out the vote art project on our front sidewalk.
How to Be a Climate Hero workshop.
Socktober: Our annual October sock and underwear drive for those in need.
Mitten Tree: Our annual December hat, mitten, and scarf drive for those in need.
Participation in local MLK Day community event