Activities for Children & Youth
Described here are activities of the Religious Education Program that are designed particularly for children and youth. Many other all-church activities throughout the year are welcoming and inclusive of our children and youth.
Child Dedications — At child dedications the UCE community welcomes children and expresses support for the child and family. Child dedications are performed at the 5:00 Christmas Eve service, the first Sunday in May, and by special arrangement with the ministers.
Ornament Sunday — On December 12, trim the tree and make ornaments and decorations to take home.
Cookie Lunch — A festive lunch on a December Sunday (December 19), with cookies, juice, and milk.
Christmas Eve —Candlelight services at 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm, with stories, carols, and reflections on Christmas.
Easter — Our Easter service (April 24) is followed by a brunch hosted by the Religious Education Program and an Easter egg hunt outside.
Religious Education Recognition service — At a May worship service, we celebrate the religious growth and learning of our children and recognize the work of our teachers and other volunteers.
Church Picnic — After the service on the second Sunday in June (June 13) we celebrate summer with a picnic on the south lawn.
Social Action for Children and Families
Social action is integrated into many of our classes, and there are many opportunities for children and their families to participate in congregation-wide projects. Click here for upcoming volunteer opportunities. Here are a few:
- Our Giving House — We participate in collecting items needed by a local homeless shelter/food pantry
- Guest at Your Table — We help gather contributions to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee to support human rights.
- Green Sanctuary — In cooperation with the Green Sanctuary Committee, we educate each other about environmental issues and work on projects to recycle and encourage use of sustainable resources at home, in church, and in the community.
- Common Threads —Knitters or crocheters at any level of skill create special gifts including premie blankets and hats and shawls for palliative care.
- Soup Kitchen — Several times a year we host an Evanston Soup Kitchen. Adults and children prepare and serve a meal for those in our community who might otherwise be hungry.
FAMILY SOCIAL ACTIVIES
- Board Game Nights – 6:30 – 9:00 pm. January 21 and March 18. Fun for all ages. Bring a favorite board game and a snack to share (or just bring yourself).
- Family Friendship Dinners — Get to know other families by joining them for potluck dinners throughout the year. The children play, the adults talk, and everyone has a good time.
- UCE Winter Family Retreat —Families at a nearby campsite for a weekend of relaxation, fellowship and winter fun.
- Night of the Arts — On a February evening, the sanctuary will be transformed into a place to explore, discover, and create art, crafts, food, and more.
- Boston Bound Trip — Every other year, the Junior High group takes a five-day trip to Boston to learn more about the historic roots of our faith.
- Summer Camping — Every summer, UCE families take a camping trip. The date and location change from year to year, but it is always a good time.