Children’s Religious Exploration

“This year’s overarching frame is The Practices of Our Faith. We’re using this frame to focus on how Unitarian Universalism is a lived faith that inspires us to act, live, and love our values out in the world. Or, to put it another way, we’re diving into our long-loved commitment to “deeds, not creeds.” Our frame of practices is also a way for us to connect to our UUA’s new core value of love, with each of our monthly themes being framed as a practice that helps us embody love in our daily lives.” -Soul Matters

At KUUF you’ll see these themes woven through our worship services, chalice circles, Creativity Matters, Soulful Home, and children’s religious exploration.

The theme for April 2025 is Living Love Through the Practice of Joy

Children’s Religious Exploration

The Religious Exploration program continues to lift up the long-loved Unitarian Universalist commitment to “deeds, not creeds” while connecting to the core value of love.  The theme this month is The Practice of Joy. All month long, the children’s group will be looking at where joy can be found. 

April 6: Joy Found in Music (Make a joyful noise!)

In this session the group will look at how joy can be found in music. They will be taking inspiration from the well-loved and widely-used saying, “Make a joyful noise!” They will most certainly be literally making a bunch of joyful noises.

April 13: Joy Found in Foolishness (“For the fun of it!”)

In this session the group will be exploring how joy is found in “foolishness.” Think fun, silliness, jokes, and the good-hearted frivolity that makes one happy to be alive. They will be taking inspiration from the well-loved and widely-used saying, “For the fun of it!” Even though it will have passed, the session will also give them a chance to celebrate and have fun with April Fool’s Day.

April 20:  Easter & Ostara

This morning is a multi-generational service. Children of all ages will remain in the sanctuary with their parents as we all worship together.

April 27: Joy Found in Nature (“Take time to smell the roses!” & “Nature is the best medicine!”)

In this session the group will explore how joy can be found in nature, with a special nod to Earth Day. Often the focus on Earth Day, is what actions can be taken to save the Earth. In this session, the group will explore the other side of the coin, focusing on how Earth can save us with its deep and simple joys. They will be taking inspiration for the well-loved and widely used sayings, “Stop and smell the roses!” and “Nature is the best medicine.”

Soulful Home: April 13th

Soulful Home is an ongoing parent group meeting that usually meets the third Sunday of each month following the service. However, because the third Sunday of April is Easter, Soulful Home has been moved to April 13th. Parents are invited to bring a sack lunch for themselves and for their child(ren). Children will remain up in the Matan Building for childcare while parents meet to build community and explore the Soulful Home resources. Soulful Home is a program through Soul Matters that supports families as they explore the sacred in everyday spaces by providing materials to help parents integrate Unitarian Universalism into everyday home life. 

Creativity Matters

Are you interested in spiritual exploration through creativity? Looking for a group to participate in at the Fellowship? Creativity Matters may be for you. Like a Chalice Circle, participants will gather monthly. Participants receive project-based packets built around the monthly theme. Each packet contains creative exercises for group members to work on prior to the meeting. Packets also contain inspirational material and reflection questions to get your creative juices flowing.  Unlike an artists group that explores technique and provides critiques, this group will gather together, similar to a Chalice Circle, for spiritual discernment. While artists are welcome, no experience or artistic skill is required.  Project options include such things as: collage, storytelling, scrapbooking, sketching, photography, creative writing, watercolor painting, fabric arts, sculpture, movement, music, and more. All projects are designed for everyone. At the monthly gathering group members will share their projects and insights that emerged from the exercise/project they picked.  If you are interested in participating please contact Melinda.

Family Friendly Fellowship Film Night: To Be Announced

This is an all ages movie night. Pack a picnic dinner, blanket and pillows and join members of the Soulful Home parenting group for an indoor picnic, pajama wearing, film viewing event. This is an all ages event and because of this we will be starting early. You are invited to socialize and eat from 5:30 to 6:00. At 6:00 movie will begin 

Note: We are trying to limit clean up following the event, that is where the picnic idea came from. Because of this we will not be setting up tables and the kitchen will be closed.

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

Sunday Morning Program

Our children’s program is growing and we need you. If you have been involved in the Fellowship for at least a year and are interested and willing to work with our children, we need you. 

Childcare: We need helpers in childcare for those mornings when one of our childcare providers is out. Childcare is for crawlers-pre K. 

Elementary Aged Children: We have so many children attending regularly that we need a second adult in the room with our teacher. The teacher will prepare all materials and lead the activity. We just need someone to help them. If you are interested please see Melinda. We also have a need for helpers in childcare. All who work with our children are required to have a background check. 

Middle School: We have a very small group of middle schoolers but are hoping that we can soon have enough to have a middle school group that meets regularly. For this to happen, we need not only middle schoolers, but a team of adults that would be willing to work with this amazing group. 

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please talk to Melinda Hughes, Director of Religious Exploration.

Family Friendly Service

KUUF services are family friendly! Children are welcome to stay for the entire service. Most 5-12 year olds choose to go to Children's Religious Exploration (CRE) after Time for All Ages.

Time for All Ages

KUUF is a member of the Soul Matters Sharing Circle, a group of over 145 UU congregations who follow the same monthly worship themes. This year's overarching frame is The Gifts of Our Faith, focusing on ten beloved UU values and exploring their potential to shape us and in turn shape the world. This allows us to share in a Time for All Ages, often a story, that connects the theme to the sermon and to the activities the children will be doing. Following Time for All Ages most children go to Children's Religious Exploration.