Questions and answers about YoUUth Circle

What is the philosophy behind Prairie’s YoUUth Circle?

Prairie’s new YoUUth Circle is patterned on the “Children’s Chapel” concept spearheaded recently by Michael Servetus UU Fellowship in Vancouver, Washington. The idea behind YoUUth Circle is to provide a richer, more spiritual experience for children while still having excellent religious education content. It is meant to be a place for children to “do” religion rather than have religion “happen” while they are listening and sitting. It is designed to be exciting and interactive. It will include precious rituals, stories, songs, movement, drama activities and games.

Will all children be involved in YoUUth Circle?

A resounding, “Yes!” YoUUth Circle will be appropriate for preschoolers through high school aged folks. Of course, different aged children will have different experiences in YoUUth Circle —olders will be able to take the content to a deeper level of understanding, while all will have the opportunity to enjoy new multi-aged friendships.

What will the schedule for the morning be for our kids?

Religious Education programming would last from 10AM until 11:30AM with 2-3 Sundays being devoted to YoUUth Circle and one Sunday a month being set aside as a Service Sunday.

10-10:20 All children will be upstairs with the adult community, including preschoolers.

10:20-11:00 Children’s Chapel

Ø   Someone will be responsible for safely carrying a flame from the Chalice upstairs to the Chalice downstairs.
Ø   The Chalice will be lit with some opening words.
Ø   Candles, in containers that are the colors of the rainbow, will be lit, each representing a UU Principle.
Ø   Children will have an opportunity to “check-in” or share thoughts/feelings/concerns with the group.
Ø   Content will be presented about a UU Principle using a song, story, game, meditation and the like.
Ø   A project will be done that is connected to the lesson for the morning.
Ø   There will be a closing, possibly a favorite song or poem or other ritual.

When will kids have a chance to be with their similar aged peers?

After YoUUth Circle, during the adult social time, children will break into Friendship Circles with similar aged kids. They will have snack, play and discuss, a bit more, the content presented in YoUUth Circle.

Will this mean that we don’t need adults to help downstairs?

Adult help will be needed but it will be a smaller time commitment than teaching all year long. We will need support in a variety of ways, which are detailed fully on the other side of this page.

Who should I talk to if I have questions?

Please feel free to talk to: Melissa Gjestvang-Lucky (DRE), Paula Pachciarz, or Rachel Long.

For more information about the Children’s Chapel model, see these articles from the Michael Servetus Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Vancouver, Washington:

http://www.msuuf.org/sermon121000.htm http://www.msuuf.org/ReMarks501.htm