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Kids in the Story Garden at FirstU
We've noticed that some parents from River Parkway Children's Centre have been bringing their kids to explore the gardens at FirstU... and we're so glad you're here! We're excited to share our Story Garden with you! Whether you're visiting after daycare pick-up on a week day, or on Sunday morning as part of our UU Kids Religious Exploration, you're welcome to come and explore FirstU's gardens, and discover a story that reflects one of our eight UU Principles. Enjoy it with your child and continue the conversation at home! You'll find a new story to share, as you walk through the garden, every two weeks, thanks to Jodi, our Director of Religious Exploration! |
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Join Us for MESSY CHURCH!
Parents and Grandparents with kids under eight years old are invited to
join us once a month, for a church service of our very own!
join us once a month, for a church service of our very own!
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Messy Church - April Showers!
April 23 - 10:30am In Room 4 Join us for a themed UU church service that centers the youngest among us! On April 23rd, we'll be exploring all things "Weather" - cloud formations, puddle-jumping, rain cycles, and wild storms! Make sure to dress for the weather (and for muddy ground) as we'll likely be going outside! Messy Church Includes:
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Please RSVP by the Thursday before each Messy Church service, using the green button below, as we need to count numbers for the food preparation.
Our Vision: We at First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa strive to be
a welcoming and diverse multi-generational Unitarian Universalist community
that fosters the spiritual development of all ages.
Our Mission: Guided by the Unitarian Universalist Principles and Sources,
the RE program provides a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment
to learn, grow, and explore individual spirituality.
a welcoming and diverse multi-generational Unitarian Universalist community
that fosters the spiritual development of all ages.
Our Mission: Guided by the Unitarian Universalist Principles and Sources,
the RE program provides a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment
to learn, grow, and explore individual spirituality.
Goals of Religious Exploration
In our ministry with children and youth, we strive to:
1. BUILD COMMUNITY: create an atmosphere where children and youth feel safe, welcome, connected, able to talk about
important things in their lives; be a place where they like to come and where they can serve,
2. KINDLE THE FLAME: encourage children and youth to learn more about themselves and to be continuous seekers
with a sense of wonder,
3. SHARE KNOWLEDGE: teach children and youth about their congregation and their religion, Unitarian Universalism,
4. CULTIVATE OPEN MINDS: develop an appreciation for the diversity of people and religious beliefs in the world, and
5. RAISE AWARENESS: help children and youth become aware of the needs of others, our connection to the Earth,
and of their power to create change.
In our ministry with children and youth, we strive to:
1. BUILD COMMUNITY: create an atmosphere where children and youth feel safe, welcome, connected, able to talk about
important things in their lives; be a place where they like to come and where they can serve,
2. KINDLE THE FLAME: encourage children and youth to learn more about themselves and to be continuous seekers
with a sense of wonder,
3. SHARE KNOWLEDGE: teach children and youth about their congregation and their religion, Unitarian Universalism,
4. CULTIVATE OPEN MINDS: develop an appreciation for the diversity of people and religious beliefs in the world, and
5. RAISE AWARENESS: help children and youth become aware of the needs of others, our connection to the Earth,
and of their power to create change.
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UU Rainbow Principles
Red Respect All Beings Orange Offer Fair and Kind Treatment Yellow Yearn to Learn Green Grow in Spirit and Mind Blue Believe in Your Ideas and Act on Them Indigo Insist on Peace, Freedom, Justice, and Antiracism Violet Value the Connections in All Creation |
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What to Expect on a Sunday Morning - COVID19 Version
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We are happy to announce that we are doing in-person Children's Religious Exploration once more.
Sometimes, CRE happens at the nearby nature preserve or at another local venue but, most often, Children's Outdoor Religious Exploration happens close-to-home in our campus play area. Kids arrive at 9:45am, where we do crafts, tell stories, ask questions, learn and reflect in an environment that nurtures spiritual growth. Everyone follows the safety protocols, and we are all able to learn and have fun together. |
Image posted with parental permission - 2021-10-21
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Image posted with parental permission - 2021-10-21
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What to Expect on a Sunday Morning - Non-Pandemic Version
Each Sunday we gather together to share some time learning, reflecting, asking questions, playing and getting to know each other in our religious community. We seek to provide a nurturing atmosphere safe and caring spaces where the spirit of each child and youth will blossom and grow.
Service begins at 10:00. Everyone gathers together in Worship Hall. After welcoming and some opening words, the children are asked to gather at the front for a story. Afterwards they are sung out by the congregation to the song With My Own Two Hands, and proceed downstairs to their room. Parents remain in the service, or are welcome to accompany their children downstairs. When service has ended, parents collect their children by 11:45.
We offer the following spaces to support families:
Worship Hall
Each Sunday a variety of quite play activities will be setup at the front of the hall. Children can play while guardians are nearby and parents can enjoy the various UU teachings.
Lounge
The lounge is setup each Sunday with a variety of toys and offers a live CC-TV so parents can listen to the sermon while watching children who are restless to stay in Worship Hall. For mothers who desire more privacy while breastfeeding this space could possibly work (Parent-supervised)
Each Sunday we gather together to share some time learning, reflecting, asking questions, playing and getting to know each other in our religious community. We seek to provide a nurturing atmosphere safe and caring spaces where the spirit of each child and youth will blossom and grow.
Service begins at 10:00. Everyone gathers together in Worship Hall. After welcoming and some opening words, the children are asked to gather at the front for a story. Afterwards they are sung out by the congregation to the song With My Own Two Hands, and proceed downstairs to their room. Parents remain in the service, or are welcome to accompany their children downstairs. When service has ended, parents collect their children by 11:45.
We offer the following spaces to support families:
Worship Hall
Each Sunday a variety of quite play activities will be setup at the front of the hall. Children can play while guardians are nearby and parents can enjoy the various UU teachings.
Lounge
The lounge is setup each Sunday with a variety of toys and offers a live CC-TV so parents can listen to the sermon while watching children who are restless to stay in Worship Hall. For mothers who desire more privacy while breastfeeding this space could possibly work (Parent-supervised)
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Following the children’s recessional:
Chalice Play Room Qualified childcare supervisors are provided from 10:15am in this dedicated children’s area. Based on the premise that children learn best through experience, this program helps nurture spiritual growth, creativity and a sense of community though imaginative activities. UU Kids Room This space is geared for children aged eight and up. This program draws upon what it means to live the Eight UU Principles through discussion, art actives and play. Children will begin to answer important religious questions, such as: How can I live a worthwhile life? How can I make good decisions? NOW Room - An ‘active’ space with balls and jump ropes provided. See the poster in NOW room on how to best utilize this space. (Parent-supervised) Children’s Library - A quiet room for those children needing some downtime (Parent-supervised) |
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What Am I
-by Muriel Maxfield I KNOW: Everything I say, everything I do is important. What my friends say and do is important, too often though I don’t always agree with them. Everyone has different ideas and I respect them. I BELIEVE: All religions have something good to teach, but no one church knows all there is to know. That’s why, in our church, we always try to learn more by reading and talking and making things, and by thinking about everything that has happened since the world began. I BELIEVE: My religion is not just going to church and saying prayers, my religion is the way I live, the good I can do, and the things I can learn. WHAT AM I? I’M A UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST. THAT’S WHAT I AM! |
BIBLEODEON - CHILDREN’S FAITH DEVELOPMENT
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The Bible is perhaps the most influential book in Western civilization. Bibleodeon explores some of the Bible's most important stories in a fun and interactive way. Designed for children 9-12, we use plays and games to
discover the story and the meaning behind these great lessons. Children will learn the best-known Hebrew and Christian stories from the Bible and explore connections between biblical events and UU principles, between biblical ideas and their own lives. |
