Posted in Children and Youth

Yoga, Breathing, and The Body of Christ

  • February 28, 2024

During these first two Sundays of Lent, the children have been busy in Sunday School exploring our Lent theme of The Body Remembers. Beginning each class with mindful breathing and a yoga meditation for our bodies (the kids declare “it is so calming,” and “I feel soooooo relaxed”), we have moved through body awareness and how our bodies, minds, and spirits are connected – both to ourselves and to one another. The first Sunday of Lent we focused on the Body of Christ and the children created The Body of WCUC with all its essential parts and connections, and the second Sunday of Lent we focused on hunger and how to meet the needs of others with what we have. We even prepared a special treat for the congregation during coffee hour, feeding everyone a tasty snack made with very few ingredients. The snack was so popular I got requests for the recipe, so here it is!

No Bake Energy Bites

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup nut butter (your choice!)
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Measure (roughly) 2 tablespoons of mixture and form into a ball. Makes about 24 Energy Bites. Chill to firm. Enjoy!

Bibles, Blessings and Yummy Bites

  • February 7, 2024

On Sunday, we honored our three third graders with their special bible gift from WCUC. To celebrate, our three bible boys helped to host coffee hour after worship! Special goodies and expertly passed hors d’oeuvres delighted the congregation, and crumbs and spills were cleaned away in mere seconds by our attentive coffee hour hosts. A wonderful celebration for all!

Youth Lend a Hand

  • January 25, 2024

One of the many great donations to our church auction was a promise by the youth group to spend a few hours helping out someone in need of their energetic and resourceful labor. This promise was fulfilled on Sunday as we traveled to the home of Polly and Keith Jenkins Man to help them begin the process of packing up for their move to Lincoln Commons. The kids climbed up into a small attic space to bring down boxes and other assorted items, and then into an even smaller cubby storage area to do the same. Next were the highest cupboard shelves in the kitchen and finally outside to rescue a beloved garden toad from its frozen spot in the snow. All of this, plus a pizza lunch and fun chocolate sticks for hot cocoa, made for a fabulous and productive afternoon.

Advent Peace and Joy for All Ages

  • December 13, 2023

WCUC hosted a weekend of beautiful Advent events for adults and children, including a candlelit labyrinth walk and meditation on Friday evening and our Advent in the Light event for families on Saturday evening. Both brought peace and joy to all!

Sacred Time and Holy Connections

  • November 29, 2023

In a world where many feel isolated, disconnected, or even invisible, it’s increasingly important for our church to find ways to bring people together. Now that we’ve made it through the pandemic and we’re not forced to look at each other only on computer screens, our in person gatherings feel even more special. Whether we’re at Walden Pond for walking prayer enjoying the company of others in nature, at With Us Wednesdays sharing stories and laughter, or baking pies together for church members who could use some extra cheer this year, the people of WCUC – young, old, and young at heart – are finding comfort and joy in this weary world.

Instruments Galore!

  • November 9, 2023

Our second-annual Instrument Exploration event was a hit! Children and adults alike explored a wide variety of well-known and not-so-well-known instruments thanks to Nan’s large collection. Check out the pictures and videos of all the amazing music!

Apple Picking!

  • September 19, 2023

Our WCUC families enjoyed a gorgeous Sunday afternoon climbing trees, picking apples, and sampling cider donuts from Carver Hill Orchard. The picking was more sparse than in years past because of a May frost that destroyed about 80% of the crop, but the kids declared this year “the best ever” because they got to scramble up trees and use the giant pickers to grab apples at the tops of the branches. Nothing like a challenge for motivation! You can see from the pictures that we managed to pick PLENTY of apples. 🙂

Youth Group Builds Community

  • September 11, 2023

On Friday night, September 8th, the youth gathered in North Hall for their annual Welcome Back Game Night, complete with pizza, ice cream, and of course a few suspenseful rounds of Sardines. (the game, not the fish) We then returned to church on Sunday for our first class of the year to learn about how the early Christians learned to form community and to brainstorm ideas about what makes for a fun, safe, and meaningful community in Youth Group. Kindness, mutual respect, inclusivity, trust, and non-judgement all ranked high among these young people. It is such a gift to be walking with them in faith and in life. Today, I give thanks to God for joyous play, contagious laughter, and friendships, old and new!

ONA, Pride & Move Up Celebration Highlights

  • June 12, 2023

We had a wonderful day of celebrations last Sunday: honoring our ONA commitment, blessing newly graduated senior Jillian Arthur, welcoming SIX new Youth Group members from Children’s Ministries, and sharing some very festive (and bubbly!) fellowship outside!

Children’s Sunday Highlights

  • June 6, 2023

We had such a wonderful service celebrating our Children’s Ministries program!