Family Ministry and Children’s Religious Exploration
Connect. Engage. Build a Better World.
And Do It Together Through Family Ministry
From September through June , the Unitarian Universalist (UU) Fellowship of Plattsburgh offers childcare for infants and programming for children from 2 years old to fifth grade during our Sunday morning services. We are fortunate to have an experienced team of childcare educators to run this program; all of our team either worked professionally with children or had careers in healthcare. In accordance with UU Safe Church practices, we will always have at least two caregivers in attendance. In addition, we will be bringing in other caregivers to join this core team. Everyone who works with children in any capacity in our congregation will have undergone a background check.
Faith is a journey best taken together.
In this complex, chaotic world, we long for connection. Those connections — relationships between family and community — are at the heart of our Religious Exploration offerings. After all, for most, families are the ultimate builders of values.
We assist families, enhancing their efforts as primary teachers to our youth.
Programming Information
We are a welcoming and inclusive congregation, where children and youth of all ages and dispositions are encouraged to grow together.
SUNDAY MORNINGS
We are pleased to provide child care for infants and programming for children through Grade 5 during our Sunday morning worship service, ending this spring with the June 18th service. Please arrive by 10:15 a.m. and bring your child directly to the basement children’s space. (The service begins at 10:30 a.m. and ends at 11:30 a.m.) Please complete our registration form. We will begin offering childcare and children’s programming on September 10, 2023.
We are in the process of developing Religious Exploration (RE) programming for older children and adolescents.
OUR WHOLE LIVES
Sexuality Education Program
Beginning in fall, 2023, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Plattsburgh is planning to offer a program designed for students in grades 7-9. The program, Our Whole Lives (OWL), is a sexuality education program explicitly designed for 21st-century youth. Although the OWL series was developed by two progressive religious denominations (Unitarian Universalist and United Church of Christ), the program is secular and free of specific religious doctrine. The program is inclusive, developmentally appropriate, and justice oriented.
The series equips participants with basic knowledge but also has a goal of helping youth feel good about themselves, remain healthy and build positive, equitable relationships. In addition, OWL provides support and information for youth who may be struggling with gender and sexuality issues and prepares peers to provide support and understanding. Find out more
Ursula Jones has been a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Plattsburgh for 40+ years, with a long history of volunteering in the children’s RE program. She graduated with a BS in elementary education and holds a master’s degree in social work. Prior to retirement, she provided psychotherapy in private practice and in the public sector. She enjoys spending time with children, observing their unique qualities and having meaningful interactions with them.
Kris Lutters has also been a member of the UU Fellowship for 40+ years. For most of that time she has been involved with the RE program. She is a retired elementary school counselor and throughout her life has enjoyed interacting with children of all ages.
Kelly Predojevic, a newer member of the congregation, is a retired RN with a long history of care giving. Kelly has two dogs, two grown children and three grandcats. She looks forward to playing and connecting with young people in preparation for grandkids.
Our Foundations
The UU Fellowship’s Religious Exploration program, now accepting registration, affirms the inherent worth and dignity of all. It teaches that we are capable of changing the world for the better and draws from many resources, exploring and acting upon a variety of themes including anti-racism, environmental justice and spiritual growth.
In addition, we are planning to offer again the Our Whole Lives (OWL) curriculum for students in grades 7-9. The program provides honest, accurate information about sexuality. It dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, as it strives to build self-acceptance, foster healthy relationships and improve decision-making, doing work that can save lives.
Let us know if you would like further information about the OWL program at re@uuplattsburgh.org.
Eight Principles
Our eight principles form the basis for all we do. Here they are, written in an easy-to-read, kid-friendly format:
- We believe that each and every person is important.
- We believe that all people should be treated fairly and kindly.
- We believe that we should accept one another and keep on learning together.
- We believe that each person must be free to search for what is true and right in life.
- We believe that all persons should have a vote about the things that concern them.
- We believe in working for a peaceful, fair, and free world.
- We believe in caring for our planet Earth, the home we share with all living things.
- We believe in building the beloved community, free from racism and oppression.
