Special Programming
Childrens Programs Youth Programs Special Programming RE Committee Program Overview
Special Programming
Holiday Term: The end of November and December brings a special Holiday Term for the K-7th graders at the First Unitarian Society. We have mixed age group activities for these weeks and do special programming. In the past we have had the Northen Lights Clay Mobile come and help the kids make bowls which in turn we sold to support Heifer Project International, we have done musical classes with drumming and singing, and created the Holiday Craft Fair where children make presents to give to others. We always have a Sunday celebrating the Solstice and an intergenerational service during this time. Each year brings a new plan for exploring the holiday season!
Mystery Friends: This is a much loved program where an adult serves as a Mystery Friend to a kindergartener-sixth grade child whose name they are given. They exchange correspondence for 5 weeks and then meet at the Mystery Friends party! This year we matched friends by having both bring in the same food items which was then donated to a food shelf. The party project was to make sandwiches for a local shelter. 
UU Playgroup: This is an informal program for parents and their babies through pre-school age children. These parents and kids meet to play and talk once a month. Sometimes they meet at church, or someone’s home or at a fun activity location. Everyone has a fun time and get to know each other as they have a good time playing.
Chalice Lighter Program: This program is for children who are finishing up third grade or above and want to light the Chalice in the Sunday morning service. They meet with their parents, minister, and Director of Religious Education for two sessions and learn about the UU Purposes and Principles. The learn the meaning and the adult language of the Purposes and Principles, how to handle lighting the flame in the Chalice, and make crafts about the Chalice. At the end of the program they rotate each Sunday to light the Chalice in service and say a Purpose and Principle of their choosing. They become and integral part of our Sunday morning here at the First Unitarian Society.
Easter: Easter is a special program Sunday here at the First Unitarian Society. We have the whole Sunday School together. We talk about the UU meaning of Easter and then the older kids hide “eggs” in the park across the street for our cooperative Easter Egg Hunt. After the hunt, we do parachute games and celebrate! A fun morning for all.
Bingo Night: Yes, UU’s like to play Bingo. Every year we have a fun dinner event and Bingo playing evening. It is a special intergenerational time…Bingo crosses all age divides and everyone has fun screaming the winter blues away with a “Bingo”!
Youth Led Services: Once a year the youth of this community lead a service for everyone. The service is rotated between the senior youth group and the Coming of Age class. It is usually a morning of true inspiration as we all say, “Maybe there is hope for the future!” A meaningful and thoughtful morning for everyone.
RE Carnival: Each year we end the year with the Religious Education Carnival. It is a time when parents set up games for everyone K-7th and everyone has a great end of the year celebration. Games, food, and face painting are all part of the morning!
