Update as of May 22, 2022:

Nursery care for young children aged five (5) and younger will be offered during the 10:00 am summer service from May 29-June 26. The nursery room opens at 9:30 on Sunday morning and is located in Room 003 downstairs.   

The nursery will be closed in July 2022 for summer break and staff vacations.

For the most up-to-date nursery schedule and programming details for young children, please contact Scott Stewart at scott@eliotchapel.org. Note that all programming details are subject to change at any time due to the ongoing Covid pandemic.

We light this chalice for our children and youth, and for us:

celebrating the flame of faith lit in each of us,

honoring the light each of us bring into the world,

rejoicing in the community we create together.

—Christian Schmidt (UU Minister)

Children’s Activities (Kindergarten-7th Grade)

When worship services are held in-person, multiage Religious Education (RE) activities for children in kindergarten-7th grade are held MOST Sundays from September-May during the 9:15 am worship service, along with occasional intergenerational worship services. Religious Education gatherings include a mixture of indoor and outdoors activities pending the weather and selected activities. Gatherings are led by Christie Lee with support from Eliot volunteers.

Here’s a sample of some of the planned activities in the upcoming months (Winter/Spring 2022), past activities we’ve enjoyed this year and look forward to offering again, and some traditional activities held annually whenever possible.

• Activities from the UU Soul Matters Sharing Circle on a variety of spiritual themes and religious topics relevant to Unitarian Universalism. Curricula from the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Tapestry of Faith is also utilized periodically along with a variety of other curricula resources.
• Exploring a variety of holidays and religious celebrations from different faith traditions. December 2021 included a Children’s Christmas Pageant and an exploration of Winter Solstice.
• Periodic guest speakers from the congregation, including the ministers, who share about various Eliot ministries and how their talents and interests impact their UU identity and values.
• Exploring UU values and building community through short Pixar and Disney films, using the CartUUns and Popcorn Theology for All Ages curricula.
• The fall months of 2021 included multiple outdoor field trips for children and their families, including a local Nature Center, Farmyard, and Halloween gathering at the lake. Each gathering included time for fellowship and connection as well as a spiritual exploration. Look for additional outdoor opportunities during warm-weather months.
• Periodic opportunities to share outreach with those in need through projects, such as creating Thanksgiving cards and Valentine’s for Eliot members in need of connection.

For more background and information about children’s ministry activities in 2021-22 (September-May), check out these Children’s Religious Education FAQs. 

Health & Safety During Covid-19: Click here to learn more about our health and safety protocols for children’s programs (K-7) during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021-2022.

Getting Involved

For more information about activities for children, or to learn more about how to get involved, contact Christie Lee at christie@eliotchapel.org.