HOPEDALE UNITARIAN PARISH
A Green Sanctuary
HOPEDALE UNITARIAN PARISH
A Green Sanctuary
LIFESPAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
CHILDREN
Nursery
The Hopedale Unitarian Parish offers tender, loving, care in its nursery each Sunday morning during Church Services. Babies and toddlers up to age 3 are generally at play on Sunday Mornings. NOTE: Children 3 and up are eagerly accepted into our Spirit Play Class, which is PreK-Grade 1. Parents are supported in making the decision on whether their 3-year-old is ready for the class or should remain in the Nursery. The nursery is staffed with two people each Sunday.
Children’s Classes at Hopedale Unitarian Parish
Chalice Children (Pre-K to Grade 1)
Our modified Spirit Play classroom is designed for our youngest scholars. Their Sunday ritual follows:
•Welcoming into the Classroom
•Story Circle (includes story and discussion)
•Work (includes arts & crafts, retelling of this Sunday’s story or a previous story), and other activities, as appropriate.
•Closing Ritual
In Spirit Play, the story is told with manipulatives to provide a visual story, as well as auditory. Children in this classroom are encouraged to wonder about the BIG questions.
Keepers of the Flame Class (Grade 2-4)
Our Keepers’ Class is a very active class. This group follows a curriculum that normally creates the following ritual:
•Chalice Lighting Ritual
•Story
•Activity
•Closing Ritual
The Keepers class will be studying the following three pillars this year: Unitarian Universalism, Judeo-Christianity and Diversity.
Seekers of Wisdom (Grade 5, 6, 7)
Our Seekers’ Class is active with field trips to Neighboring Faiths. This group follows a curriculum that normally creates the following ritual:
•Chalice Lighting Ritual
•Story
•Activity
•Closing Ritual
The Seekers class will be studying the following three pillars this year: Unitarian Universalism, Judeo-Christianity and Diversity.
Activities may include discussion, arts and crafts projects, games or other activities.
NOTE: Many of our youth also volunteer to teach, fill in as childcare workers, and participate in our Bell Ringer Apprentice Program that allows them to learn how to ring the bells.