Columbine Youth Programs
Sigrid Farwell, Directoryouth@columbineunity.org
Overview
In honoring our youth, we offer programs for all ages, from babies through high school, with the goal of providing a safe, spiritually nourishing environment in which to celebrate the presence of God in our children’s lives.
Nursery
The nursery offers childcare at both the 9:00 and the 11:00 services for children from infant to three years.
Lauren continues to enchant our youngest Columbine citizens during both services. We've noticed that graduates of her room often
drift back between services for a friendly visit.
Children's Church
(Pre-K through grade 5)Children’s Church meets during second service. We begin by joining the adults in the Sanctuary for the first part of the service, culminating in Honoring the Children. After the children’s lesson we go on to class. During the summer, all the children four and older meet together; this summer we are taking a Journey to Oz, following a delightful curriculum written by Rev. Diane Venzera. We begin each class with prayer and sharing before taking off to see the Wizard.
During the school year the children through 5th grade meet in the following three groups:
- Shining Stars - Ages 3 to 5, pre-K. We enjoy the curriculum “What a Wonderful World,” with all the imaginative activities that are a part of it. Games, occasional parties, and role plays are part of the fun.
- Unikids I - Grades Kindergarten through grade 2. This year we will work with samplings from the Virtues project and a new curriculum by Diane Venzera. We’lll explore stories from the Old and New Testaments, using the Children’s Illustrated Bible. The children will take part in the celebrations that occur during the year as well. Crafts, games and role plays are popular parts of class.
- Unikids II - Grades 3, 4, and 5. We will add the fascinating Jesus and His Kingdom of Equals to the curriculum entitled In the Forest of Finding Out. These older elementary kids will also take a role in planning some of the activities of the year such as the Talent Show.
Uniteens
(Grades 6-8)11:00 AM during the school year.
Uniteens is about having fun while exploring Unity’s beliefs, discovering and expressing God, learning about themselves, and appreciating each other.
These 6th, 7th and 8th graders meet during the school year during second service. Through informal sharing as well as structured lessons, they develop spiritually, emotionally and socially. A regional weekend retreat fosters friendships with kids from other Uniteen groups.
Youth of Unity
(Grades 9-12)11:00 AM
The Youth of Unity, or Y.O.U., is an international organization for youth ages 14-18. The young people in this group take on much of the planning , including creating and presenting one whole Sunday service each summer.
This past year our Columbine group hosted the regional Spring Y.O.U. Rally; the group took on all aspects of planning and execution. Having a safe place to share, sponsors to help guide them toward adult responsibilities, and spiritual learnings and experiences, make the group important in their lives.
Oh, and they also enjoy fun social activities!
SPRING UPDATE
All our available downstairs rooms are humming each Sunday as our Youth Ed program continues.
Family Night
Our final Family Night of the school year is Friday, April 18th at 5:30 PM. Bring your camera so we can record the potluck, a skit by some of the kids, and movie time.
Sigrid
Teachers and Interested Parents at the recent
Orientation for the Fall Youth Education Program
