Our church community is a place where we want your child to grow and flourish. We want to celebrate their passions and introduce them to some new ones.
We strive to achieve this in an atmosphere of freedom and acceptance, where children can be themselves and forge friendships with their peers and make intergenerational connections. Our goal is to help them develop their expression of self while committing to a world of peace and justice. We seek to enhance their sense of responsibility and wonder to both the world community and nature.
At HUUC, we know that children are not only the future of our faith, they are vital members of our community today. Having them in our congregation enriches our shared experience, and they are always welcome in worship.
All ages learn through the experiences of watching, listening, and trying. Even when they might not follow every part of a service, they take in the rhythm of our rituals and the sense of belonging.
Our Cozy Corner offers child-sized tables, chairs, and beanbags where kids can settle in comfortably. This corner features quiet activities, books, art supplies, and fidgets. Children are also welcome to sit with their families in the pews.
Pew Bags with quiet activities are available for those who would like to sit with their families. These bags have coloring clipboards and a variety of fidgets to keep little hands engaged.
Almost all of our services include a Time for All Ages, a storytelling or interactive moment that engages with our children and highlights the message of the service in a way that everyone can connect to. Many times, children are invited to the front of the sanctuary for this time so that they can have a clearer view and more personal experience.
Around once a month, HUUC has an all-ages service that is especially interactive and accessible to children, giving families the chance to share worship together. These moments strengthen children’s Unitarian Universalist identity and create lasting family connections.
Bodies of all ages sometimes need to move. Anyone is free to stretch, shift, or step to the back of the sanctuary as needed. To support this, we also offer coloring clipboards for adults, part of what in UU parlance is called Soul Work. Gentle, repetitive handwork such as coloring, knitting, crocheting, or embroidery can provide a meditative focus, helping many people listen more deeply.
Above all, we believe children are essential to congregational life. Their energy, curiosity, and fresh perspectives deepen our collective experience of faith. We don’t only teach them; we learn from them, too.
Congregants are invited to come “tell their story” or share their passion with the youth, whether it be through art, craft, adventure, music, or hobby.
Youth participate in community building and foster friendships through activities both inside and out.
We experience individual growth and spiritual development by introducing the arts, global cultures, holidays, and service projects. Activity Sundays may also include age or interest-specific classes.
In addition to Senior High Youth Group Service Projects throughout the year, our teens meet monthly for coffee and chatting at the General Store.
Most of our classes take place in our beautiful Fellowship Building, though we also utilize our Town Common, wooded trails, outdoor classroom, and patio courtyard. We find an indoor/outdoor balance best serves our youth.
We also try our best to accommodate children who may be sensory-seeking.
Our program offers a variety of quiet, interactive, and physical activities with an understanding of what is appropriate developmentally.
We also provide an assortment of focus implements or fidgets for a mix of needs, such as kinetic sand, Play-Doh, bean and rice bins, Rubik’s Cubes, pipe cleaners, spinners, etc.
Should your child need specific support or accommodations, we will try to meet them.
Liv Radue (she/her) loves serving the children, youth, and families at HUUC as the Director of Children’s Programming. In her passion for UU education, she is also the Middle School Religious Education Resources Lead for Soul Matters and serves as Co-Chair for the Building Bridges UU Family Conference on Star Island, the Vice Chair of New England LREDA (Liberal Religious Educators Association), and on the national LREDA Nominating Committee. She is also an avid reader, museum-goer, lover of historic architecture, Earl Grey aficionado, and traveler.
There’s a separate monthly newsletter, The Family Chalice, especially for families, with info about what’s happening for parents, teens, and kids. And we have a teen newsletter (for teens and their caregivers), Notes from The Glen, that comes out every two months.
