Children’s and Youth Religious Education

Wildflower strives to support parents by providing a meaningful religious education program

that makes a positive difference in children’s and youth’s lives.

Ages of Children We Serve

Our children and youth religious education (CYRE) program serves babies and children through 18 years. The second Sunday of each month is a Zoom-only church service with no in-person CYRE program. The CYRE program meets on the first, third, and fourth Sundays of the month.

Children 6 weeks to 4 years of age are welcome in the Childcare room. Children in Pre-K through 1st grade attend the Roots class. Children can transition from the Childcare room to the Roots class at age 4 or 5 depending on the child’s level of readiness. Children in grades 2 through 5 attend the Seedlings class. Youth in grades 6 through 12 attend the Youth Group. Infants under 6 weeks remain with their parents.

What Happens on Sunday?

Children and youth stay with their parents for the first 15 minutes of the worship service, which begins at 11:45 am. After the congregation “sings the children and youth out,” teachers lead them to their classes. The children’s program ends at about 1:00 pm, usually 15 minutes after the Worship Service ends. Children attending childcare (age 6 weeks to 4 years) do not have to begin in the service. To promote child and youth safety, two adults are present in childcare and all classes. In accordance with our Safe Church policy, all RE teachers and care providers undergo background checks.

 

What do we teach in Religious Education?

1st Principle: Each and every person is important.
2nd Principle: All people should be treated fairly and kindly.
3rd Principle: We accept one another and keep on learning together.
4th Principle: We are free to search for what is true and right in life.
5th Principle: All people need a voice.
6th Principle: We work for a peaceful, fair, and free world.
7th Principle: We care for the Earth and all living things.
8th Principle: We work together for diversity and against racism and oppression.

Volunteering

Our wonderful volunteers make this program possible by allowing us to adhere to our Safe Church policy of having two adults in every class. Volunteers offer their unique perspectives and experiences and are equally enriched by hearing our children and youth express their points of view. For more information related to volunteering, please click here.

The Unitarian Universalist faith doesn’t pretend to give children all the answers to the big questions. Unitarian Universalism puts its faith in people’s ability to explore the unknown together.

-Terry Stafford (UU Religous Educator)

       Getting Started in Religious Education

Before your child’s first Sunday in the religious education program, please register them by filling out a Registration Form. Parents are always welcome to visit the RE and childcare classes.

Religious Education News/Blog

March 24 classes

We had a great Sunday together this week! In our elementary group, we talked about the Transgender Day of Visibility coming up next week. The kids had great ideas about why such a day is needed and about ways to be welcoming and not make assumptions about new friends!...

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Feb 18 Kids & Youth

For this week's class, our elementary group explored our 7th UU Principle: We believe in caring for our planet Earth and all living things. We began by brainstorming ways that we are all part of the interconnected web of life and the ways that we can communicate with...

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Jan 21 Classes

Our elementary class learned about our new UU values and a fun acronym to help remember them by -- Jet Pig! This adorable piglet carries a jet pack and is powered by love. In addition to discussing each part of Jet Pig (Justice, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism,...

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Oct 29 Class

Our Sunday began with a lovely child dedication in the service that the kids and youth participated in. After that, we headed to the classroom to learn about the origins of our UU chalice. Did you know that the flaming chalice symbol was first used by the Unitarians...

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Aug 26 Classes

It was so great to see all of your wonderful children & youth today!  In the elementary class, we began our fall semester by creating our class covenant (a set of promises we make to each other so we can all feel safe and comfortable when we come together)....

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May 28 Classes

We ended our Spring semester this Sunday with a focus on our 7th Principle: We care for our planet Earth and all living beings on it. The Youth Group took a field trip to Mabel Davis to look for birds and forage edible plants and the Elementary-age classes explored...

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Mar 19 CYRE

In our classes this week, the Elementary group talked about school segregation and how "Separate but Equal" was both morally wrong and not at all equal. We used a variety of apples to exemplify this and then finished with an apple snack and a story. The Middle &...

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Jan 29 Classes

Messages from each class are below: Roots (pre-k to 1st) & Seedlings (2nd-5th) w/Piaf: This week we talked about what we can each do when the news or events in the world feel heavy, when our hearts hurt for others who are suffering. Kids brainstormed ways that we...

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