This Sunday, November 30th: Costumes welcome! Please no props. The worship service will honor our ancestors and loved ones who have died, and children are also welcome to contribute photos and mementos to the memory altars.

Following worship and classes, gather on the patio for pumpkin painting, Halloween songs and stories.

K-3 Wonderful Welcome: This Sunday, Oct. 30, we will begin in the Great Hall with their families and stay through the Story for All Ages, when they will join their teachers and head to their classroom in the church hallway, next to the dining hall. Classes end at 11:50.

4-6 Love Connects Us: This Sunday, Oct. 30, we will begin in the Great Hall with their families and stay through the Story for All Ages, when they will join their teachers and head to their large 2nd-floor classroom across the street at Waters House. Classes end at 11:50.

9-12 Coming of Age (COA):This Sunday, Oct. 30, we will meet from 10 am-12 noon in the Waters House youth room.

Senior Youth: Save the date: mini youth con at First UU Syracuse November 5-6th. This will be a small, one night event. We will need adults from our congregation to attend with our youth. Watch for registration and more info soon.

The UUSS Nursery

Childcare for children 5 and under is available from 10-12 on Sundays! We still have some nursery staff positions available. If you know someone 18 or older who is fabulous with children and might like to earn a little extra cash, please have them contact Director of Lifespan RE Robin Ahearn at dlre@uuschenectady.org.

The Religious Education Team Needs You!

The RE Team is in need of a couple of additional members. We typically meet once a month, either in person or via Zoom, and we work together to explore big-picture plans for the Children and Youth of RE, as well as support the director of lifespan religious education. If you’d like to support RE by being a part of the RE Team, please contact Director of Lifespan RE Robin Ahearn at dlre@uuschenectady.org.

Young UU Project

Have you heard of YUUP yet? The Young UU Project began in 2020 as a way for young UUs to keep in touch with each other and their faith during the pandemic, and is held by Lifespan Faith Engagement. Supporting YUUP is part of our commitment to the Commission on Institutional Change’s charge for a national youth ministry structure and creating more gathering spaces for BIPOC youth and emerging adults.

The purpose of YUUP is to be a national community care network and multi-directional communication channel that centers BIPOC, trans/non-binary and neurodivergent youth and offers a transition zone for young people moving into emerging adulthood. LFE is providing logistics support, communications platforms, safety structures and funding for YUUP to connect youth and bridgers to each other.

Anyone (youth, caregivers, religious professionals, lay leaders, everyone!) can tap into the social ministry of YUUP by following them on Instagram @yuup.uua and signing up for the YUUP newsletter.

The community sphere requires an annual registration process in adherence to our UUA Youth Safety Guidelines. The registration only needs to be filled out once and is good for any online program the UUA puts on in the 22/23 church year. Once a youth fills out the form, their caregiver will receive a request for permission, and the religious professional they list will receive an invitation to sign off for their participation. Please point youth and their families to UUA.ORG/YUUP to connect at their capacity level.

–Jennica Davis-Hockett (UUA Youth Ministry Specialist)