University Unitarian Universalists Society050

message from University Unitarian Universalists Society:

For those of you seeking a fellowship that aids and encourages you and your children through your own spiritual journey in search of truth and meaning, we invite you to visit the UUUS, East Orlando's religiously open-minded Unitarian Universalist church.

Parents and the religious community can work together to help children build a solid base for religious exploration. Striving to aid families in their search for spiritual growth, our Youth RE program gives children the building blocks they need to make choices that enable them to live in a way that is right within themselves and their communities--all done in a fun, enjoyable manner.

Classes begin at 9:30 am with an in-gathering ritual: the lighting of the chalice and sharing of joys & concerns. The children then move to their respective classrooms:
Nursery for our little ones
Early Elementary for our growing learners
Upper Elementary/Middle School

We believe that children learn best when they are offered programming that connects with them in ways that they best respond to and enjoy. Our program continues to be activity-based, including stories, crafts, and games (with play, story time and simple activities for our youngest ones).

At 10:30 am the children join their parents for the service. They may stay for the entire service or join our children's community staff, who oversee a healthy snack, outdoor games (weather permitting), and craft activities. We also have a "wiggle room" for nursing moms or parents with wriggly kids who don't want to miss the service while caring for their young ones.

During the Youth RE Summer Program, a member of the congregation shares their interest with our youth. Past activities have included: music, fabric flower arrangement, gardening, cooking, quilting, photography, biking, kite making, bottle rockets, sign language, Tai Chi, stained glass, and poetry. We also have a "Water Fun Day" and the annual beach outing for all our UUUS families.

And for our teens, we have BEACON, a youth ministry founded in the UU Florida District and based on the following key elements: community building and spirituality based on the seven principles, learning, social action, youth empowerment, leadership, and good youth-adult relations.

These young adults enjoy intertwining engaging advisor-led curriculum with social justice work and community building activities. The curriculum challenges their leadership skills, sharpens our critical thinking, and broadens our horizons with immersion in different environments.

"The great end in religious instruction is not to stamp our minds upon the young, but to stir up their own; not to make them see with our eyes, but to look inquiringly and steadily with their own." - William Ellery Channing

We are non-profit organization and member of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) of Congregations.