Our Vision : We at First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa strive to be a welcoming and diverse multigenerational 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.
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.
Click here to Meet the Religious Exploration Team!
What to Expect on a Sunday Morning
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 10:30. 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 song -With my own two hand-by the congregation and proceed downstairs to their room. Parents re welcome to join in the service. When service has ended, parents proceed downstairs to 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)
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 8 plus. This program draws upon what it means to live the 7 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 provide. 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)
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 10:30. 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 song -With my own two hand-by the congregation and proceed downstairs to their room. Parents re welcome to join in the service. When service has ended, parents proceed downstairs to 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)
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 8 plus. This program draws upon what it means to live the 7 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 provide. 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)
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.
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.
|
What Am I
By Muriel Maxfield I KNOW: Everything I say, everything I do it important. What my friends say and do is important, too-even though I don’t always agree with them. Everyone has different ideas and I respect them. I BELIEVE: That all religious 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: That 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 UNVERSALIST. THAT’S WHAT I AM! |
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 and Justice Violet Value the Connections in All Creation |
