Grand Valley UU Children's Religious Education (RE)
We offer children's programming each Sunday in a combined preK-5th grade class at 10:30am. Teachers lead classes drawing from the Soul Matters curriculum while making use of creative activities including music, art, theater, and story. The Soul Matters curriculum presents the same themes the adults engage in during service in an age-appropriate format. Our classes and services are designed to foster community, empathy, and a sense of social responsibility among our children and youth.
From Director of Programming and Community Outreach Maya Kraushaar
Last month, we lived love through the practice of imagination and used our imagination to have fun, help others, and think outside the box.
This month, also pride month, we will spend our time together exploring what freedom means for ourselves and others. We’ll kick the month off by celebrating freedom - the freedom to be ourselves, love who we love, and shine our beautiful light.
Next, we’ll focus on Juneteenth. Juneteenth is a celebration of the freedom of enslaved people and is often filled with joy since it was recognized as a federal holiday, however, it is also a reminder that there is still work to be done.
Mid-month, we’ll enjoy our annual tradition of the All Ages Flower Communion. We invite you to bring a flower (or use a flower provided) to build our community flower chalice and share in community connection.
Following our Flower Communion, we’ll celebrate the Summer Solstice. The solstice is an invitation to celebrate and a reminder that having fun and engaging in play is an important way we the sensation of freedom. Summer is a time of joy, a time to be free, a time to connect with nature, and a time to honor – through rest and play - all we the work we have done.
We'll wrap up our month of focusing on what freedom means by collecting our attention from the outside world to a place of calm within through a yoga practice, followed by a short meditation to find our center.
As always, if you have an idea that you would like to suggest for our children’s program, please let me know. I am always happy to build a lesson around your idea and, better yet, feature your knowledge within our program, inviting you in as a special guest. Our children benefit from the wealth of knowledge held in our community and from interactive time with our adults. This makes our program more dynamic and diverse.
With gratitude, Maya
Children’s Religious Education
June 2025 - Living Love through the Practice of Freedom
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June 1st 10:30 a.m.
Freedom and Pride Today, we are exploring freedom and pride! And whether you are of the LGBTQIA+ community or not, it is important to remember that all our bodies are amazing, and we can move in so many ways! Today, we’re going to use movement to celebrate freedom—the freedom to be ourselves, love who we love, and shine our beautiful light. So, let’s move together in ways that feel joyful, powerful, and free! June 8th 10:30 a.m. Freedom and Juneteenth This week focuses on Freedom and Juneteenth. It lifts up the fact that while, yes, Juneteenth is a celebration of the freedom of enslaved people and is often filled with joy since it was recognized as a federal holiday, it is also a reminder that there is still work to be done. June 15th 10:30 a.m. Flower Communion - All Ages We'll be enjoying our annual tradition of our All Ages Flower Communion. We invite you to bring a flower (or use a flower provided) to build our community flower chalice and share in community connection. |
June 22nd 10:30 a.m. Freedom & Summer Solstice This session focuses on Freedom and The Summer Solstice. It lifts up how the Summer Solstice is an invitation to celebrate and a reminder that having fun and engaging in play. Summer is a time of joy, a time to be free, a time to connect with nature, and a time to honor – through rest and play - all the work we have done. June 29th 10:30 a.m. Freedom & Inner Peace We'll wrap up our month of focusing on what freedom means by collecting our attention from the outside world to a place of calm within. We'll enjoy a yoga practice followed by a short meditation to find our center. |
​Childcare provided every Sunday from 10:15am-11:45am during Sunday Worship.
Thank you volunteers!
A big thank you to our incredible teachers! Volunteers make our RE program fantastic!