Monthly Overview

Children & Youth Program Vision and Mission

VISION (What):

Our youth grow up together in a community of joy and wonder, building Unitarian Universalist identities that draw on diverse faith traditions and take individual and collective action to help others.

MISSION (Why):

We create an environment encouraging and nurturing self respect, community development, comprehensive religious literacy, spiritual growth, and faith in action.

Aziza Mims, RE Teacher

The opportunity to work at Emerson UU with your Lower Elementary RE class has been a real privilege. I look forward to getting to know everyone in the coming weeks and
months. To share a little bit about myself, I’ve been married to Carnegie Mims, III for almost 23 years and we have six beautiful Blessings. The oldest two are in college.

I am a passionate educator and artist who loves to craft, puzzle and garden. I mean, after all there is […]

CYRE Program for Fall 2026

Curriculum for Children and Youth

 

Lego ValUUes – Curriculum for pre-K through 5th Grade

This curriculum focuses on 6 UU values, centered around love: justice, equity, transformation, pluralism, interdependence, and generosity.

Grades pre-K through 1st grade. Room 108

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Grades 2nd grade through 5th grade, Room 204

11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Attend church service with parents.
11:15 a.m. Teacher escorts children to class.
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Sunday School class

Woven Faith – Curriculum for 6th through 12th grade, Room 208

The new Woven Faith curriculum honors our UU past and incorporates our present and future expressions of faith.

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Socializing
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Sunday School class
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Attend church service

Important Dates for Fall Semester

Please add these dates to your calendar!

Sept. 13, 11:00 a.m.

Intergenerational Worship Service (Water Communion). No children’s class for pre-K through 1st grade and 2nd grade through 5th grade. Youth WILL have a 9:30 a.m. class. All classes are asked to attend the worship service, but childcare is an option for families who prefer it for their child(ren).

Nov. 15, 11:00 a.m.

CYRE Thanksgiving Celebration. No children’s class for pre-K through 1st grade or 2nd grade through 5th grade. Youth WILL have a 9:30 a.m. class. Children and youth gather in Room 108.

Nov. 29

Thanksgiving holiday. No children or youth classes. No Parent Support Group.

Dec. 13, 11:00 a.m.

Intergenerational Worship Service. No children’s class for pre-K through 1st grade or 2nd grade through 5th grade. Youth WILL have a 9:30 a.m. class. All classes are asked to attend the worship service, but childcare is an option for families who prefer it for their child(ren).

Dec. 13, 12:30 p.m.

Holiday Party in Westwood Hall

Dec. 20

Christmas holiday. No children or youth classes. No Parent Support Group.

Dec. 27

Christmas holiday. No children or youth classes. No Parent Support Group.

Childcare is available from 9:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. in Room 104 for parents who attend the Parent Support Group or Adult Religious Education.

Welcome from the Children and Youth Religious Education (CYRE) Team!

Children and youth at Emerson know that they are unique and wonderful and LOVED. Our members have a wide range of backgrounds and beliefs, and we know we all can learn from one another.

We proudly provide liberal religious education, creating opportunities for our children and youth to ask questions, hear stories, and be joyful with each other. We teach the values and stories of many religions—as well as our own unique heritage—and celebrate each person’s gifts as important to our world.

We look forward to meeting you!

Emerson’s Sunday School program is a mix of:

  • Sunday School classes using Unitarian Universalist curriculum. These learning communities, led by our wonderful volunteer teachers, light a chalice, share our stories, and take part in games, crafts, and experiments.

  • All-ages Worship – a monthly multigenerational service, helping children learn the rhythms of worship and holding us all in community.

  • Milestone programs (Coming of Age, Our Whole Lives comprehensive sexuality education)

  • Special Events – Homecoming Sunday (September), Souper Bowl of Caring (February), Gardening Days, etc.

So we can best prepare for all families, please take a few minutes to register for our program!
People of all ages in a religious education class, learning together
Children planting

Our Cooperative Program

Every year volunteers contribute countless hours to our Sunday School program. We ask all guardians* to contribute their time as they are able—as teachers, assistants, and playground helpers, and organizing special events and ongoing projects.

Email us to learn more.

*Parenthood is NOT a requirement to volunteer! We joyfully welcome all ages and stages!

Forms and policies:

Children and Youth Protection Policy.

Online Family Registration Form for Religious Education for Children & Youth.