You and your children are welcome here! We strive to provide a liberal religious home for children and youth of all ages. Caring for children, providing them a safe space for growth and reflection, instilling in them a respect for others and the planet, encouraging a sense of wonder and awe for life and the universe, and nurturing a Unitarian Universalist identity are important parts of Religious Education at Third Unitarian Church.
Children and youth join the congregation during the first 10-20 minutes of the Celebration of Life service at 11:00 each Sunday morning. They are then released to their classes.
The Nursery is available to provide care to infants and children under 4 from 10:45-12:45 (their presence in the sanctuary is left to parental discretion). Please bring a bag with extra clothing, special toy or blanket, and bottles/food if needed for infants. A snack will be provided.
All other Religious Education classes meet from 11:15-12:30, and then enjoy a snack in the Robeson Room. RE teachers will provide supervision until 12:45, by which time parents should retrieve their children. Parents who do not stay for coffee hour may pick up children from their classes at 12:15. Please note that parents who are retrieving children during coffee hour need to communicate with a teacher that they are taking responsibility for their child(ren) so that there is no confusion about who is supervising whom! Also, the children are provided with snacks at the RE table and will not be permitted to get food from the large table unless with a parent.
Our Classes
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Infants and pre-schoolers are cared for in the Nursery, with or without aparent. Marissa Kolsen is the Nursery Supervisor.
- Children ages 3-6 engage in the Spirit Play curriculum, based on a Montessori approach to learning in which children are able to explore concepts and learn at their own pace. Each week the children will hear and process a story about UU principles, values and history. Teacher: Jeff Hannan RE Assistant
- Children aged 7-10 are using the Toolbox of Faith curriculum, which invites children to reflect on qualities of our Unitarian Universalist faith, such as integrity, courage and love, as tools they can use in living their lives and building their own faith . Teacher: Daniel Alanis, RE Teacher
- Youth in middle school (11-13) using the Riddles & Mystery curriculum, which is designed to assist youth in their own search for understanding. Each session introduces and processes a Big Question, such as: Where do we come from? Does God exist? What happens when you die? How can I know what to believe? What does Unitarian Universalism mean to me? Teacher: Kate Wilford, Director of Religious Education
- High School Youth have in recent years been incorporated into the congregation as RE teachers, singers in the choir, etc. If enough interest is generated, a youth group will be formed and advised by Kate Wilford,Director of Religious Education.
Class assignments are based on the numbers of actively participating youth and on the ages and needs of individual children.
Other Opportunities for Youth
In addition to Sunday classes, the children and youth light the chalice during the service, participate in intergenerational services (as helpers, musicians, actors, singers, etc.), and engage in other special events and activities throughout the church year.
Parent Responsibilities
All children and youth need to be registered in the Religious Education program, in order to participate in it, and, along with their parents, must sign the Behavior Covenant. Please see Kate Wilford, DRE, if you need copies of these forms.
Parents are asked to volunteer in classrooms a minimum of 4 times each year so that we can adhere to the Safe Congregations procedures of the UUA which mandate that there be more than one adult in an RE classroom. Sign up with Karen Alanis of TUC's RE Committee.
The RE Committee needs congregation members to join the fun of ensuring that the program has what it needs to be successful. We want your input! Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month, at 6:30 p.m.
Kate Wilford, Director of Religious Education
Office Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday by email at
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Wednesday at TUC from 10:00am-2:00pm
Sunday at TUC from 9:00am-2:00pm
