MDUUC Is For Families!
We know that families come in all shapes and sizes, big families, small families, chosen families, blended families, families with children with unique needs and gifts. Your MDUUC Lifespan Ministry staff is here to partner with every family and support you in helping your children to grow in body, mind and spirit.
What to Expect
What to Expect
Worship Info
All are welcome in our church community. We gather in worship on Sunday mornings at 10:15 am.
Your families’ time with us begins in Bortin Hall at the Religious Education (RE) Greeter table! This is where we first connect, share all of the activities happening in our RE spaces each Sunday, and parents sign their children in to the space of their choice prior to entering the sanctuary for the service. Our families begin in worship together and, after the Time for All Ages, our children and youth have the option to head out to their RE spaces for the rest of their morning. Of course, young people are always welcome to stay for the full service as well – we love babies, kids and teens!
Our nursery is available for babies and toddlers prior to and during worship and through the connection hour.
Childcare Info
We recognize that caring for your child so you can attend Sunday programming and worship is an important role that we play in your family’s life. We strive to fulfill that role well. Nursery caregivers provide loving care for our littlest congregants ( infants, toddlers, and children through age 3). The Nursery Room is located in the Old Firehouse Preschool. You are welcome to bring your child(ren) in before worship starts, or at any time during the service.
We’re proud to have consistent supervision by our terrific and trained teen caregiver staff. They are committed to working in the nursery every Sunday with few exceptions, and also to providing childcare on other occasions. Please go by and introduce yourselves!
Parents are always welcome in our nursery. We ask that you please take the time to help your children feel comfortable in their environment by bringing any special items that may ease the transition. Promptly inform the caregivers of any special care, including medical needs, which your child(ren) may require.
There is a sign-in sheet in the nursery. It is important that you sign in your child (using the clipboard) and provide us allergy information and a mobile number. We may contact you during the service if we are unable to console your child.
You are also welcome to keep your child with you during the service. In addition, the Heritage Room at the back of the sanctuary and the Bortin Social Hall are places where you can both see and hear the service while your child has a bit more freedom to move around.
We also ask that you please not leave your child if they are ill.
Religious Education Classes
Religious Education Classes
Classes
Classes
Pre-K - 1st
Spirit Play is a Unitarian Universalist program for our little ones based on the Montessori model of learning. Using story, play and creativity, Spirit Play seeks to engage children in questions about life within the context of our Unitarian Universalist faith through our principles and sources. The topics are presented using an active storytelling method followed by a “wondering” time that opens up the child’s response to the story through art materials and imaginative play.
Spirit Play 2021-22 Class Calendar
2nd - 8th
RE AdventUUre is a mixed-age (2nd - 8th) program that allows for children and youth to self-select their experience of religious community, with opportunities for fellowship and friendship, sharing stories, creative expression, ritual, and social justice projects. Each Sunday features a variety of choices, including an arts, crafts or building project; a game and movement activity; and a worship option. We trust each participant to find their place in our community each week, depending on their mood and interests.
RE AdventUUre 2021-22 Class Calendar
Youth Focus is an option for our 6th-8th graders who want a hands on way to engage with the faith beliefs and practices of our neighbors-in-faith through one Sunday of exploration followed by a visit to the house of worship. We begin in November and meet twice a month.
Crossing Paths 2021-22 Class Calendar
Coming of Age
The Coming of Age program at MDUUC is a 8 week program for our 9th & 10th grade youth to explore and articulate their beliefs, as well as develop their personal understandings and connections to Unitarian Universalism. In COA, youth have the opportunity to be matched with a mentor, go on retreats, visit other UU congregations, and participate in a social justice project. Our goal is a fun and meaningful experience that allows the youth to grow in self knowledge, spend time with others who share similar values, and engage directly in living out their religious and ethical values in the world. At the end of the year we recognize their spiritual growth first with a celebratory friends and family dinner and then within our church community at the Coming of Age worship service.
COA 2021-22 Class Calendar
Youth Groups
MDUUC offers two youth group programs, MSYG for middle school students in 6th-8th grade and YRUU for high school students in 9th-12th grades. YRUU meets weekly on Sundays and MSYG meets the 1st, 3rd, & 5th Wednesday evenings of the month. Each group meets with trained adult staff and volunteer facilitators to grow in community, live into our UU values, and have fun. From Both group are open to the larger East Bay community, friends and visitors are always welcome!
MSYG 2021-22 Class Calendar
YRUU 2021-22 Class Calendar
Registration and Resources
Registration and Resources
Registration
Registration is an important tool we use in creating safe and engaging environments for all participants, including our virtual environments. In addition to informing what we offer, registration provides necessary health and contact information. It is our policy that all religious education participants be registered after their third visit.
Calendar
Coming Soon!
Communication Opportunities
Want to know what's happening for children, youth, and families at MDUUC?
Sign up with indigo@mduuc.org to receive the weekly Religious Education Newsletter and follow us on Instagram!
Outside Resources
Coming Soon!
Our Whole Lives
Our Whole Lives
Sexuality Education
Sexuality is an essential part of our lives. At MDUUC we offer Our Whole Lives (OWL), a comprehensive sexuality education curriculum. Our Whole Lives is a program that spans the whole lifespan from birth to adulthood. It provides developmentally appropriate information at each step that celebrates all genders identities, sexual orientations, and family structures while giving accurate and scientific information to help people of all ages make values-based choices.
It covers topics and skills that both parents and students want to have available but schools are less likely to cover. Classes are taught by carefully selected leaders, trained and approved by the national OWL training program.
Honest, accurate information about sexuality changes lives. It dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, builds self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships, improves decision making, and save lives. Research shows that informed people make healthier decisions related to sexuality.
1st and 2nd Grade
4th - 6th Grade
The REQUIRED Parent Orientation for 4th-6th Grade Owl will be held on Sunday, February 27th 2022 from 11:30-1:00 pm at MDUUC. After attending the orientation you can register your youth for the class which meets most Sundays, March through May.
OWL 4th-6th 2022 Class Calendar
8th Grade
The REQUIRED Parent Orientation for 8th & 9th Grade Owl will be held on Saturday, October 16th 2021 from 4 - 6 pm at MDUUC. After attending the orientation you can register your youth for the class which meets most Sundays, October through February.
This holistic program models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice and address the attitudes, values, and feelings that youth have about themselves and the world. Unlike many other sexuality curricula currently available, this program is comprehensive and progressive. In an inclusive and developmentally appropriate manner, it addresses sensitive topics that are typically excluded. This class is being offered in the fall & winter of 2021-22.
OWL 7th-9th 2021-22 Class Calendar
10th - 12th Grade
High School OWL expands on the 8th-grade program to help young adults develop more tools for making healthy and informed choices about sexuality. This program helps senior-high youth gain the knowledge, life principles and skills they need to express their sexuality in life-enhancing ways. It Includes a parent orientation and 12 sessions. This course is offered in alternating years. This class is not being offered in 2021-22