Programming

Would you like to find a supportive intergenerational community for your family? A community that reinforces your progressive values but does not tell your children what to believe about God or life after death?  That’s Prairie UU! In our Religious Exploration (RE) program, we care for children from 6 months old through high school. We aim to help each child feel valued as a unique individual. Our varied activities promote children’s social-emotional learning and independence, our Unitarian Universalist ideals, and respectful learning about the world’s religions. Our classes meet during our worship service, Sundays at 10 a.m. 

On a typical Sunday, children should dress for messy activities or playing outside. Families begin the morning together in our Meeting Room at 10 am. Just inside the Meeting Room you can find busy bags with activities for anyone who needs to fidget. A few minutes into the service, children are invited (but not required) to come forward to hear a story. After the story, the congregation sings the children out to their classes.

What to Expect as a Visitor

On a typical Sunday, children should dress for messy activities or playing outside. Families begin the morning together in our Meeting Room at 10 am. Just inside the Meeting Room you can find busy bags with activities for anyone who needs to fidget. A few minutes into the service, children are invited (but not required) to come forward to hear a story. After the story, the congregation sings the children out to their classes.

You are always welcome to accompany your child to our RE area downstairs if you wish. Your children are also welcome to stay with you in the Meeting Room or to rejoin you there later if they wish. 

If your child has allergies or special needs we should know about, please talk to the Greeter inside our main entrance. They will share the information with our RE Director and volunteers.

Sunday Morning Activities

Most Sundays, children have the opportunity to enjoy learning activities with their peers and skilled, creative teachers:

  • Infants and toddlers are cared for by young adult childcare workers Ollie, Liam, or Jesse. These young children may join in with older children as appropriate.
  • Age 3-6 enjoy sharing time, a snack, and fun activities with teachers Carl, Randy, and Karleen. Children practice sharing and taking turns and celebrate learning new skills.
  • Age 7-8 (through March 10) are participating in Our Whole Lives (OWL) sexuality education with Casey, Matt, and Karen. Visitors in this age group who are not registered for OWL may join with either older or younger children. 
  • Age 9 and up practice collaboration and decision-making while playing a TTRPG (table-top role playing game) in our Game Room with Game Master Tim and assistant Robin. New players are always welcome. 

Special Sundays

Some Sundays, children of all ages together come together for something different! Check our calendar to find out what’s planned each week. 

  • Cooking day – Our congregation has potluck lunches, usually the first Sunday of the month. On those days, our young people work together to prepare a dish to share. 
  • Intergenerational Services – Several times a year, our young people participate with adults in Services upstairs in the Meeting Room. Our young people often contribute readings, skits, and music to our services. Youth, like other Prairie members, may do presentations on topics of interest in our services.
  • Holidays – We celebrate holidays together on Sunday mornings several times a year with parties. They often provide an opportunity to learn about the traditions of religions of the world.
  • Field trips are opportunities to learn about the natural world, about social justice work, about other religions, or just to have fun!  

Human Sexuality Education

Prairie UU offers the Our Whole Lives (OWL) program to provide age-appropriate education in human sexuality for children in early elementary grades, upper elementary grades, and junior high school. Find more information about sexuality education at Prairie here.