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Participation

Sunday Morning Schedule - September through May
Before Service 8:30 a.m. - Childcare provided in Room 15
First Service  9:30 a.m. - Sunday school classes (Pre-k through 12th grade)
Second Service 11:15 a.m. - Childcare provided in Room 15

Classrooms
0-3 years old and childcare - Room 15 (main building)
Pre-k-Kindergarten - Room 10 (main building)
1st-2nd grades - Room A (annex building)
3rd-4th grades -  Room D (annex building)
5th-6th  grades - Room H (annex building)
7th-8th grades - Room B (annex building)
9th-12th grades - Room C (annex building)

Multigenerational Services (both services) - Approximately one Sunday a month, children ages five and older will join the congregation for a multigenerational worship service.  These services are designed to appeal to people of all ages.  Children are provided with an activity pack to keep their hands occupied as they enjoy the service.

Fees:  The fee for our religious education program is $35 for the first child and $15 for each additional child annually

Our Whole Lives Fee: Due to the special training necessary to teach the 7th-8th grade Our Whole Lives class, a fee of $150 will be charged to non-members of the congregation.  The regular Children’s Ministry registration fee applies to UUCP members.

Cooperative Support Expectation:  Families are asked to support the program through volunteering their time as teachers and activity leaders throughout the year and also financially through donations of items needed for the various programs.

Program Policies and Guidelines:

  • Register your children/youth in the Religious Education program.
  • Children must be either in their classes or with a parent or guardian at all times.
  • If you drop off your children at UUCP, they must be left with a designated adult.
  • Please pick up your children at 10:45 a.m. (Sunday school) or 12:15 p.m. (second service childcare). This allows the teachers time to clean-up and enjoy some time after service to visit with adult friends.
  • Get involved by volunteering your time to teach or assist with the Children’s Ministry program. You make it successful!
  • All adults with children registered in the program are expected to contribute to the program in one of the following ways.

Children’s Ministry Committee
This dynamic committee plans and administers the entire Children’s Ministry program in partnership with the Director of Religious Education.  We meet once a month at a member’s home or a comfy restaurant and hold an annual all-day retreat.  Please contact Kim St. Clair at redirector@phoenixuu.org for more information about meeting dates and location.

Assisting in Classrooms (22 Sundays total classes; expected commitment – 1-2 Sundays per month). Although parents are always welcome to attend their child’s Sunday school class, we also encourage them to make a commitment to assist once or twice a month in a grade level of their choosing (not necessary the same as their child’s).  Classes are based on grade levels through high school. Class curricula are provided to assist teachers with the material. There is a paid lead teacher for each class level who will communicate lesson plans.  Assisting is a great way to learn more about UU-ism - whether you are new to the faith or a long-time member!

Special Events (Choose one or more of the following events to coordinate or assist) (Detailed descriptions and directions for each special event available from the Director of Religious Education)

  • Empty Bowls Luncheon  - Members and friends are asked to bring interesting bowls and plates to be sold along with a simple lunch on November 15, 2010.  We will also have a pottery painting event on September 27, 2009.  The bowls painted at this event will be donated to the Empty Bowls luncheon.  All profits help to provide a monthly meal at the New Day Center, a local homeless shelter.  Need 2-10 people to prepare and serve lunch on November 15th.
  • Fab Fridays - Need 3-4 people to help coordinate each of the two Fab Fridays (Talent Show - January 15, 2010; Bowling Night - February 26, 2010).
  • Christmas Eve Service - Serve as stage director, costume coordinator or set-out refreshments for social hour.
  • Spring Egg Hunt - Put together “goody bags” for hunt (Children’s Ministry Committee purchases the items); hide eggs on Easter Sunday; help collect eggs and pass out goody bags.
  • Ice Cream Sunday - Coordinate or assist with the making of homemade ice cream on the first Sunday of June.
  • Water Play Sunday - Coordinate or assist with “fun in the sun” water play on the playground. 

Together Time
During both Sunday services, children and youth are invited to the front of the sanctuary, along with parents of younger children to enjoy the Children’s Together Time. After Together Time, children and youth who are participating in Sunday school or childcare proceed to the designated meeting place.

Fab Friday - UUCP Talent Show & Bowling Night!
We have an opportunity to showcase our amazing UUCP talent this year in an all UUCP extravaganza on Friday, January 15, 2010, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.  Children, youth and adults will be invited to share their musical, poetic, dance or other talents during this family friendly, multigenerational event.

Our other Fabulous Friday will occur at a local bowling alley on February 26, 2010.  Our last two bowling nights drew approximately 20 rock n’ rolling UUCP friends and members of all ages.   

“Expand-a-Family”
This program matches families with children 0-18 who would enjoy the fellowship of another adult or adult couple who does not have children living at home.  We see this program as an “adopt a grandparent(s)” one, but we are not limiting it to our folks who are grandparent age!  The Children’s Ministry Committee will sponsor “get-to-know-you” and other fun activities to encourage a connection among participants.  Of course, we fully expect and hope that these newly formed “families” will meet outside of these UUCP sponsored activities.

Both families and adults/adult couples who would like to be matched will complete an application in the fall.  Our co-coordinators, Cynthia Diefert and Jamie Wilson will inform participants of the matches in early October.

Applications are on the backside of the Children’s Ministry Registration form.