For all new and returning families, all children must be registered so that we have vital information about parent/guardians, children’s needs, photo permissions or restrictions, and so we can maintain appropriate child/adult ratios in the classroom.
Register your child/ren for the 2022-23 Program Year at www.ucv.im/REfamily
Read on to know what you are registering them for!
Sunday Morning Programs
Everyone starts in the service together and children leave to do their program after the story. Programs run a little longer than service so parents can enjoy coffee hour. All Sunday morning programs are included in the Family Registration at www.ucv.im/REfamily
Pray ground (Sanctuary friendly floor zone)
The pray ground allows parents to be present in worship with their children, it is up front because that is the best place for kids to see what is going on, be engaged as they are able, and teaches them that they belong here. They are safe in a loving community. It is designed for those who need to be near their parents for any reason.
Our pray ground is the area at the very front of the sanctuary on the right side, with our teen volunteers ready to quietly play during worship or outside if needed. It has carpets and pillows, colouring and stuffies, board books and fidget toys! This zone is designed for those who are too wriggly to sit in a chair for an hour and not ready or willing to join a program. Children who are going to a program can hang out here until they are sung out, and those who are not able or don’t want to leave their parents can stay as long as they want to.
Superhero Academy
Focus: play-based learning about justice, covenant, and community with an anti-racist lens.
Age: 5-9 (grades K-4)
Time and place: 11:15-12:15 in person at UCV
Are you a fan of the Teen Titans or Black Panther? Or are you more interested in learning about your values through playing games with new friends? Superhero Academy is our children’s group for this year, and you’re all invited!
Family Registration: www.ucv.im/REfamily
Crossing Paths
Focus: understanding the religious and spiritual practices of our neighbours and ourselves
Age: 10-12 (grades 5-7)
Time and place: 11:15-12:15 in-person at UCV; also includes fieldtrips once a month to other houses of worship in our community (carpool/transit buddies can be arranged)
Crossing Paths is a core program for UU children. We invite kids beginning to question life-death-and-the-beyond to join with us in exploring many faith traditions and how they relate to Unitarian Universalism. We start with Unitarian Universalism and aim to cover many other traditions practiced in our area, from Buddhism to Islam to Paganism to Coast Salish spirituality. This year’s program is a continuation of last spring’s program, which already spent time on Judaism and Christianity. However, there is no need to have attended last year to attend this year.
Family Registration: www.ucv.im/REfamily
Special Program Registration
Special programs take place at different times outside of Sunday morning. They are often specific to a peer cohort of similar age. They aim to build community within UCV, work on justice in the community at large, and build deep connection to values and identity. Youth may join on their own regardless of parent involvement or membership. The Our Whole Lives program does have a required parent orientation.
Coming of Age
Focus: UU identity and our community
Age: 12-13
Register here: www.ucv.im/CoA
Time and place: twice a month for two hours each, exact time tbd; in person at UCV
Coming of Age is a core program for UU kids as they become youth. A group of bridging-in youth become a close-knit community as they ask themselves “what is Unitarian Universalism and why does it matter to us?” UCV elders and our facilitators work with participants to learn what they receive from community, what they give back, and how communities practice their values.
Youth Group
Focus: covenant, worship, games, exploration, justice – everything chosen by youth!
Age: 13-18 or currently in high school
Contact Olivia Hall: youth@vancouverunitarians.ca
Time and place: 1-3 pm Sunday afternoons in person at UCV; also sometimes includes sleepovers on Saturday nights, fieldtrips, and discord game times
How to possibly describe youth group? Youth group is fun because teens hanging out is fun! Youth group dives deep because teens dive deep! Youth group is led by teens alongside adult advisors in a safe and supported space to be themselves, be weird, find purpose, and give back. This group is open to all teens connected (however loosely) to UCV. You’re always welcome here.
Bridger’s Program
Focus: preparing our oldest youth for the transitions in their lives
Age: 16-19, or gr 11, 12, and first year post high school
Contact Olivia Hall: youth@vancouverunitarians.ca
Time and place: two Mondays a month 7-9 pm in person at UCV; also some sleepovers
Unitarians call the process of moving from youth to young adulthood “Bridging”, they symbol of moving into a new life stage. We create a metaphorical bridge to existing in the world and as a Unitarian with more autonomy and shared responsibility.
Bridger’s Program is a small group for our oldest youth who have been part of UCV or a neighbouring congregation for a while. Two Wednesdays a month, and some sleepovers, we will gather to be with each other in this time of transition. Our leaders help youth to plan post-secondary endeavors (What’s a bursary? What’s a course requirement? How do I fill out my application? Do I even want to keep going to school?), read through Wellspring Youth Sources (What are our UU sources? What spiritual practices keep me grounded? How do I take care of myself and others?), and lead our OWL program (What’s a healthy sexual relationship? How do I make space for my own gender and sexual identity?). And it’s fun.
OWL for Senior High (gr 11-12)
Focus: trans and queer affirming sexuality education
Age: gr 11 and 12
Register Here: www.ucv.im/OWLregister
Time and place: one Monday a month 7-9 pm in person at UCV; some Saturday evenings as well
Cost: pay-what-you-can sliding scale, $25-$125; no one will be denied due to lack of funds
Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education is a program used by UUs and other denominations all over the place to support us at all stages of our lives. The grade 11-12 program focusses on sexual health, lifespan sexuality, building healthy sexual relationships, and sexuality and social issues. Our three leaders (two of whom are queer adults themselves) are trained through the program. Our group this year is a majority queer group of amazing teens. Though OWL is offered through UCV, it’s a secular program. Gr 11-12 OWL is a stand-alone part of our Bridger’s Program for older youth, any youth currently age 16 or 17 may join this program.