Exploring Beliefs. Nurturing Spirits.

For Unitarian Universalists, religious education includes all of the ways that children, teens and adults grow toward their potential as compassionate, ethical and fulfilled human beings. Our Religious Education (RE) program is grounded in our Unitarian Universalist principles and sources, and in our relationships with one another.

Children’s Religious Education is about much more than learning. It’s about growing and the wonder of being alive! First Church provides an environment where the spirit of each child will grow and they can confidently explore life’s most puzzling questions. Above all, we’re committed to providing a program that encourages young people to learn and respect what is religious about their own lives.

Your family is invited to join in the exploration and celebration! Please explore the links to the left to find out more about our program.

Every Friday, we send out an informative email packed with detailed descriptions of all the RE Sunday options, as well as upcoming events, groups, and workshops for our children, youth, and families. Sign up here to receive the RE Weekly Update.

Sundays in Religious Education!

• Children, Youth and RE Volunteers begin Sundays by checking in at the RE Table in the Leenhouts Common Room to receive a name and safety badge.
• RE for children over 5 years of age begins in the sanctuary with their family at the 9:00 a.m. service only.
• For children under the age of five, the Nursery and Preschool are open from 8:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. during the first service, and from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. during the second service.
• After our time together in the sanctuary, Children, Youth and RE Volunteers will depart for the RE programs.
• Most Sundays, RE offers UU Play or UU Maker Space, until 10:30 a.m. Parents need to pick-up their children in the lower level with their security badge given at check-in.
• Options such as All Ages Sunday and special workshops are available on some Sundays.
• Families are welcome to stay in the sanctuary or in the parlor. Worship activity bags are in the back of the sanctuary and at the RE Table in the Leenhouts Common Room.

Child Dedication

The Child Dedication Ceremony is a time for celebrating the birth or adoption of a child in a ceremony of naming and dedication. It is a time for welcoming our children into the world, into the family, and into the church community. It is a time for acknowledging that each child’s life is sacred and hold that truth in the light of our faith.

This simple ceremony is related to the Christian “baptism” or “christening,” though the meanings we attach to it are significantly different. Please read our UU Child Dedication Brochure for a full description.

The ceremony is a public declaration by the parents to dedicate themselves to faithfully nurture and support their children. The congregation recognizes your child’s original blessing, and we dedicate ourselves to nurturing your child and you. Because of the promises our congregation makes to the family during the ceremony, child dedications are available only to members of the church. Our child dedication rituals are held in November and in May each year.

If you are interested in having your child dedicated fill out this online form or email Rev. Kimberlee.

Rev. Kimberlee Tomczak Carlson
Minister of Religious Education