Caring for our children, providing them a safe space for growth and reflection, and nurturing a Unitarian Universalist identity is important at Third Unitarian Church. You and your children are welcome at TUC!
Nursery Care is available for infants up to age three in the nursery located at the back of the sanctuary. One trained employee and one volunteer will be available every Sunday from 10:00-12:30 to care for infants while parents attend the Celebration of Life. Parents are also welcome to stay with their infants in the Nursery.
All children are welcome to the TenSpot held from 10:00-10:50 a.m. in the large upstairs classroom each Sunday. This is an informal and supportive space to play games, listen to music, dance, do art projects, and eat some breakfast while parents attend Forum, Choir Practice, Adult Religious Education, or other Sunday morning activities. All children who are in the church before 10:50 should be in the TenSpot and not wandering around.
Children ages three through teens are welcome to age-appropriate Religious Education classes held from 11:15-12:15 on Sunday mornings during the September through June church-year. Children join the entire congregation for the first 10-15 minutes of the Celebration of Life and are ritually released to their classes after the special "Time for All Ages" which is usually a story or lesson for the benefit of all people present, children and adults. Classes are taught by one teacher (a church employee) who is assisted by a volunteer.
Children are released from classes at 12:15 to attend the community-wide coffee hour in the lower level.
All children need to be registered with the Religious Education program. All elementary, middle, and high school students must sign the Behavior Covenant. Please talk to the DRE if you are unsure whether you have completed the proper forms for your kids! The forms are available here: RE forms
Classes:
Preschool: Chalice Children-This program focuses on helping our youngest children to learn about UU values through art, play, and stories. (Teacher: Maria Maia)
Elementary: Honoring the Interdependent Web of All Existence-This program focuses on the UU commitment to the earth and all earth's creatures by focusing on topics of ecology, conservation, and ways of being "green." (Teacher: Jeff Hannan)
Middle School and Up: The Free and Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning-This program is focused on helping our older children explore and articulate their beliefs, their commitments, and how to make positive change in the world. (Teacher: Justine Urbikas)
High School Youth: Currently, our Youth are integrated into our middle school class during the Sunday service hour, but we meet as often as possible outside of church hours to mingle with other Chicago-area youth groups for fun activities. (Facilitator: Justine Urbikas)
Special Projects: In addition to Sunday classes, our children are enjoying the responsibility of becoming chalice-lighters, church mice (those little creatures who scurry around and help pick up trash, put away hymnals, etc.), and assisting in coffee hour. Our children will also be participating in the Dec. 21 service by providing choral music.
Volunteer to help our Religious Education program prosper, let Justine Urbikas ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Kathy Osler ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) know if you want to help out!
R.E. Work Group Meets at 9:00 a.m. on the second Sunday of each month in the "Green Room" on the main level of the church. All interested parties are welcome. Contact Kathy Osler, R.E. Work Group chairperson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.
Justine Urbikas, Director of Religious Education
Office Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tuesday at TUC from 10:00am-2:00pm
Sunday at TUC from 9:00am-2:00pm
