First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
Weekly Family eNews

Worship this Sunday
September 18, 9:30 and 11:15am 

Invited In
Rev. Jen Crow, Executive Minister

Sometimes invitations are obvious, like the ones that show up in your mail or email box. Other times invitations are more subtle and complex. How might we listen for those invitations, and how might we respond?

Learn more about the upcoming service online. 
Missed a Sunday? Find the podcast online.

  • Want more information about what's happening in Religious Education classes this Sunday?
  • Need to learn more about volunteering in Religious Education?
  • Still haven't registered your family?
All your questions are answered in this edition of the weekly Family Enews. Read on!



Religious Education classes, from nursery through senior high school, kcked off last Sunday. Many thanks to the children, youth and families who gave us a great start!

Many classrooms have changed this year.
 
Here are some tips and reminders to make your Sunday morning easier:

If you didn't do so last week, be sure to pick up your families' registration packet from your oldest registered child's classroom this Sunday. 
In the packet we've prepared just for your family, you will find our beautiful new Children, Youth & Family Ministries brochure, a calendar for each of your children's classes (preschool through high school), and the church's annual events and Fall worship calendar. Lots of helpful information and useful dates for your family to save! 

Nursery care through 1st grade classes run from 9:30-10:40am and 11:15am-12:25pm. 
Children must be signed in and released to a parent or guardian. Please be sure there are at least two adults or teen staff in the classroom before leaving your child. Children can be dropped off in the 10 minutes before class begins. For little ones up through 3 years or for any children who have difficulty with separation, please leave your cell number and set your phone to vibrate.

Nursery (6-17 months) - Room 206 (upstairs!)
Toddlers (18 months-2 years) - Room 100
Preschool  (3-4 years) - Room 104
PreK (4-5 years and starting K in 2017) - Room 102
Kindergarten - Room 101
1st grade - Room 105

2nd-9th grade classes run from 9:30-10:45am and 11:15am-12:30pm. Senior High Youth Group meets from 11:15am-12:30pm only. 
Children up through 6th grade should be signed in at their classroom by an adult each week, and children in 3rd grade and younger must be picked up by a parent/guardian after class. Kids in 4th grade and up will be released at 10:45am/12:30pm; please wait outside if you prefer to meet your child at their classroom.

2nd grade - Room 107
3rd grade - Room 208
4th grade  - Chalice Room
5th grade  - Room 204
6th grade  - Room 202
7th grade  - Room 201
8th grade  - Room 200
9th grade, 9:30am  - Cummins Room
9th grade, 11:15am  - Room 203
10th-12th grade, 11:15am  - Cummins Room

The parking lot is currently under construction.
Please plan a little extra time for parking if you drive to church. We hope to have it done in a week or so.

All returning children and youth must be registered in order to attend classes or childcare on Sunday mornings during the regular church year.

Visitors are always welcome! Please feel free to visit a class with your child, or bring them to the worship service with you, or drop them off in their classroom while you attend service. Whatever works best for your family is just fine. Please do arrive to church 15-20 minutes early and check in at the Visiting Families Welcome Station if you and/or your child would like to visit a class so we can get you signed in and settled. We ask that you register after 2-3 visits.

Also coming up this weekend:
  • 7th grade Neighboring Faiths Parent/Guardian Orientation, Sunday, immediately following both classes (10:45-11:05am and 12:30-12:50pm) in Room 201
  • Senior High Youth Group (10th-12th grade) Family Info Meeting after class this Sunday from 12:45-1:15pm in the Cummins Room
What's up in RE this Sunday?

Preschool, Chalice Children
We take a tour of a very special building -- our very own church!
PreK, Spirit Stories
We hear the story, A Lamp in Every Corner, and make our own lamps to take home
Kindergarten, Rainbow Path
We're going on a treasure hunt! What special discovery will we make?
1st grade, Love Surrounds Us 
We make a Big Book of New Friends and explore what we can do to make everyone feel welcome.
2nd grade, Moral Tales
We play a game of Barnyard and learn that conscience is part of our personal moral compass. 
3rd grade, Love Will Guide Us
We make our own rain sticks to remind us that we all got here together.
4th grade, Toolbox of Faith
We learn that UUs value reason, science and asking questions as tools for understanding the universe. A tricky song teaches us to pay attention!
5th grade, Love Conencts Us
We learn about our UU heritage of love, and the concept of universal salvation. Making friendship bracelets helps us understand our "living tradition."
6th grade, Taking Our Places
We prepare for next Sunday's project by exploring "hospitality," and play a game of UU Bingo.
7th grade, Neighboring Faiths
We start with a fresh look at our own religious tradition, and create personal "windows" into Unitarian Universalism. Remember to attend the Parent/Guardian Orientation after class this Sunday!
8th grade, Our Whole Lives (OWL)
We learn the qualities of healthy relationships.
9th grade, Coming of Age
We consider the sources of our faith, asking, "How do we know what we know?"
10th-12th grade, Senior High Youth Group
We co-create a covenant and plan for our bike and overnight retreat next weekend! Don't forget to attend the Family Info Meeting after class this Sunday.



Did you miss out on 

Religious Education Classroom Volunteer Training?

Are you signed up to volunteer in a Religious Education classroom but missed the training last weekend? Never fear! You can find lots of information, links to session plans, and a place to sign up for your Sundays on the Volunteer Resources page of our website. The password to view session plans is "peace."

It's on, but moved indoors!
Saturday, September 24, 11am-4pm
First Universalist Church is excited to host a community event celebrating our soon-to-be newly-resurfaced, environmentally-friendly parking lot! There will be live music, a taco truck parked on the street, a bounce house and general fun times with fellow congregants and our neighboring community. Performers include: Ron Parker, folk band members, Alan Ware and David Lauth, Ellis, and A Ghost Revival. This family-friendly event is free (food available for purchase), though donations will gladly be accepted to help cover costs. Don't miss this fun fall event!


2016-2017 Religious Education Registration Open
Children, youth and families are at the heart of the ministry of First Universalist, and our Religious Education program for children and youth is one of the largest among bricks and mortar UU churches worldwide. We continue to align Religious Education with the values and mission of the larger church so that children and youth are actively engaged in a spiritual journey with the whole congregation. E ach class offers a variety of activities  on Sunday  mornings, including stories, singing, sharing joys and concerns, spiritual practices such as prayer and meditation, games, crafts and hands-on projects.

for the 2016-2017 church year. Read through the class descriptions for each age/grade level and find the registration form on our Religious Education website. Please keep in mind that some classes are now full, and bring a spirit of flexibility. We will find a spot for every family at one of the two service times. The safety of our kids, the capacity of our volunteer staff, and the quality of the church experience for everyone informs our enrollment policies. 
for Religious Education and learn more about our Sunday morning programs for children and youth
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
Lauren Wyeth, Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministries
3400 Dupont Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 825-1701 x111