Fun and nurturing programs for kids at Westside
Our Mission
Provide programming and support in a safe and caring environment to equip families to incorporate Unitarian Universalism into their daily lives.
Our Vision
To nurture families toward wholeness and compassion and empower them to build a just and equitable world.
Our children and youth meet on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am in Fellowship Hall with snacks served between 9:15 and 9:25.
Preschool through 6th grade classes are focusing on our UU Values: one value each week with stories, discussion, and responding. Our youth (7th – 12th grade) are focusing on global social, cultural, and environmental issues.
Child Care
Child care for our precious youngest humans, infants through age 4, is available from 9:30 am to noon on Sunday mornings, and children ages 4 through 8 are also invited to child care during the church service or after the Time for All Ages. Everyone must be signed in and out of child care by an adult.
Please note that WUU isn’t able to offer staff or volunteer supervision in spaces other than the child care classroom during church services.
Goals
Our Children’s Religious Education Committee and Volunteers Strive to:
- Provide a safe environment for all participants
- Provide opportunities for reverence and a spirit of worship in our children and youth
- Encourage children, youth, and volunteers in practices that develop Open-Mindedness
- Encourage children, youth, and volunteers in practices that develop Loving Hearts
- Encourage children, youth, and volunteers in practices that develop Helping Hands
- Encourage a Healthy Sense of Self
- Become Knowledgeable about Unitarian Universalism
At Westside, we value our children as the individuals of worth and dignity that they are. We encourage them to take part in the life of the church, enjoying their participation in social activities, like game nights, children’s occasional choir, potlucks, Winter Solstice, being part of Worship Leadership team, as well as attending part of the worship service. We also have activities geared specifically for the children and youth, especially our religious education classes.
Every Sunday the children join us in the service and are invited to either sit up front on cushions just for them, or sit with their adult(s). All are welcome throughout the service in the Sanctuary. We are again offering childcare during the service for those 8 and under and our hope is that all of our children will join us in the service through the Time For All Ages.
