Children
Welcome to our children’s education program.
Elementary Religious Education
Register for 2024-2025 Elementary Religious Education
Overview
Welcome! Our children’s Religious Education (RE) program provides a vibrant and nurturing community that encourages children in grades K - 6 to grow in spirit, connection, faith, and justice-seeking. Our purpose is to involve children and youth in a community in which they develop a deep spiritual connection to themselves, others, and the world as a whole. 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. We are a church dedicated to social justice, and we honor all kinds of families, recognizing our interdependence and our common foundation of love. We hope you will choose to make UUCD your family's spiritual home.
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!
Attendance
We ask that you please make regular Religious Education attendance a family priority. Children who attend regularly build deeper connections and derive the greatest benefits from their lessons and church community. When the same group gathers each week they get to know one another, explore together, grow together, and look forward to being together again. Your family's presence enriches the experience for everyone.
Fee
There is no fee for Religious Education or childcare at UUCD. Programs for children, youth and families are an essential ministry of UUCD, funded by the annual gifts of the members and friends of the congregation. Upon registering for Religious Education, we ask folks to develop an annual giving plan if they haven't already. Please give generously, as you are able.
Support
If you or your family are in need of practical support or pastoral care, contact Deb at dre@uuduluth.org or call the church office to reach the minister or administrative staff. We are meant to journey in the company of caring community and you don’t have to go it alone!
Chalice Children Childcare
Sundays from 10:15 am - 11:45 am, September - June
Ages 1 - 4
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.
Parents should feel free to use Chalice Children Childcare as it works best for your family. Some children head to Chalice Children following the Time for All Ages, others spend the entire worship service in childcare, others mix it up or drop in as needed. Parents must provide diapering supplies if these are needed.
No pre-registration is required for Chalice Children.
Peace Village Summer Camp
The philosophy of Peace Village begins with the belief that collaboration within our communities is essential to peacemaking. Therefore, this camp is a joint offering between several Duluth faith communities. Peace Village is a multicultural day camp 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. All activities encourage respect for racial and cultural diversity. The Peace Village curriculum focuses on using Mindful Movement, Connecting to Nature, and Media Literacy to prepare campers for the development of real skill in Conflict Resolution. Peace Village is a place to make friends, to learn, to grow, and to practice peace-building.
Registration opens in early March.
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. Recent special events for kids have included:
Movie & Popcorn Nights
Holiday Parties
Story Walks
Cooking Parties
Collaborative Art Projects
Christmas Pageant
Social Justice
UUCD kids take their UU values out into the world with them. Recent efforts include:
“Kids Take a Stand” lemonade stand to raise funds for children separated from their parents at our southern border.
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 MLK Day community events,