Worship

Communal worship each Sunday morning is where we forge our community together by creating sacred space and experiencing our interdependence.  At UUCC our worship services are for everyone of all ages. In the front of the sanctuary we offer a Wee Worship area that has activities for the body while we engage our minds. The space and the activities are for any person whether they stay in that space or take it back to a pew.

Connecting After Worship

After worship, beverages are served in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone can bio-break, get a drink, and get settled into ARE or YRE by 11:40 when we are all invited to connect and spend time in that community we’ve helped create in small groups, classes, and other kinds of connection. 

Youth Religious Exploration (YRE)

Sunday Morning Religious Exploration

On Sunday mornings, children and youth are invited into a community where they can laugh, learn, and grow alongside caring friends and trusted adults. Most Sundays (the first, third, fourth, and fifth of the month) we gather in small groups for exploration and connection. On the second Sunday, we join the whole congregation in a joyful potluck brunch where all ages come together to share food and community.

Our program creates space for children and youth to wonder, question, and discover what faith means to them. Our program is rooted in Unitarian Universalism—its Principles and Values, its history, and the ways we live our faith in the world today.

Every gathering is shaped by four elements at the heart of our faith development:

• Community building – making friends and finding belonging
• Spiritual practices – learning ways to feel grounded and whole
• Religious exploration – asking questions and exploring meaning
• Community service & action – putting love into practice

Whether your family is new to Unitarian Universalism or has been here for years, we welcome you to be part of this journey of exploration, connection, and growth

The Garden is available every Sunday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm for our littlest UUs. Please see this page for the age range and guidelines for participation in The Garden.

The Sprites (PreK–1st Grade) are our youngest explorers who gather after worship in The Garden with Miss Bekah. In this joyful space, children play, make new friends, and begin to discover the stories and rituals that shape our Unitarian Universalist faith with Chalice Children.

Each week, the Sprites light their own chalice, share joys, concerns, and gratitudes in a circle of care, and dive into a story brought to life with play and activities. Along the way, they learn the simple but powerful truths at the heart of our faith: that we are called to love, to care for one another in community, to celebrate the beauty of diversity, to nurture our sense of wonder and awe, and to imagine and work toward a better world.

The Adventurers (Grades 2-5) bring their eager and curious minds each week as they gather to light a chalice, share joys, concerns, and gratitudes, and explore the monthly theme together. Then comes the fun twist—like a “choose your own adventure” story, children get to decide how they want to continue their journey that day.

Two or three different spaces are offered, each with its own way of engaging—through movement, creativity, storytelling, reflection, or hands-on action. This approach gives every child the chance to explore in the way that best fits their mind, body, and spirit. At the heart of it all, Adventurers are learning the foundations of Unitarian Universalist identity and values, growing in community as they explore what it means to live our faith.

The Explorers (Grades 6-8) are our curious and adventurous middle school youth. They gather for Crossing Paths, a program where they step into the wider world of faith, exploring the traditions and practices of communities near and far—including the faiths of their friends and neighbors. Field trips to other houses of worship and religious communities bring these experiences to life, letting youth see and engage with the different ways people live out their beliefs.

While discovering the beauty of other faiths, Explorers also focus on their own Unitarian Universalist identity. By reflecting on what they see and experience, youth grow more grounded in UU principles, clarify their own beliefs, and learn how to live their faith with confidence and curiosity.

Our Senior High Youth (Grades 9-12) are invited to step into deeper fellowship and leadership. They can choose to assist with younger children’s programming, sharing their energy and creativity, or join adults in thoughtful discussions and exploration after worship. In both paths, Senior High Youth continue to grow in their own Unitarian Universalist identity, deepen their understanding of our faith, and find meaningful ways to live out UU values in their community and beyond.

Additional Opportunities for Children and Youth

Our Whole Lives

Our Whole Lives, or OWL, is a values based, comprehensive human sexuality programs that offers exploration and learning in various age appropriate offerings from young children to older adults. This is usually available for children and youth outside of the regular Sunday morning offerings.

Coming of Age

The Coming of Age rite of passage for teens is a tradition that Unitarian Universalists have celebrated for decades. Coming of Age invites youth into an intensive, year-long process of learning and expression. Youth conclude by creating their own statement of personal belief and leading their own worship service for the congregation.

Youth Community

Youth community is for seventh through twelfth grade youth. We gather on the fourth Sunday evening of each month from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. UU faith-based games, spiritual practices, multi-media activities, creative craft and art projects, and discussion starters. There is a meal provided by families each month for this gathering. They will also use this time to plan for other events such as kayaking, holiday tree hunting, youth-led worship services, community service, justice advocacy, preparing for the Pride March and more.

Adult Religious Education (ARE)

Learning is a lifelong adventure, and at UUCC we offer a variety of courses to meet the interests and curiosity of our engaged congregation. Our offerings include topics such as justice and social action, spirituality and pop culture, UU history and traditions, musical spirituality, and much more. There’s something for everyone—whether you love classes, discussions, or hands-on experiences!

On Sunday mornings, adults are invited to join Soul Matters Conversations, exploring the themes and ideas from that day’s worship. These gatherings take place in the library during coffee hour and are lightly facilitated by volunteers who prepare discussion questions ahead of time. If you’re interested in joining, reach out to Jenni Papp for details and to sign up.

Join Us as a Facilitator

We are always looking for new hands, hearts, and perspectives to enrich our programs. Whether you’re ready to help with children, youth, or adult classes, your participation strengthens our community and makes our shared learning richer. Everyone is welcome to contribute in a way that fits their gifts and schedule.

The weekly newsletter (subscribe here!) will contained the most up-to-date information and announcements. 

And reach out to Jenni Papp, Director of Lifespan Faith Development with any questions!