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Universalist Unitarian Church of Haverhill |
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Description of a Typical Sunday
While we do offer separate Sunday programming for children and youth (as well as nursery care for
those under 3) they are all an important part of our greater congregational family. Most Sundays
everyone begins worship together in the sanctuary. Children are present as we listen to the
prelude and introit, chalice lighting & reading, unison affirmation, gathering words from the
minister, a hymn and a conversation with the children by the Director of Religious Education (DRE).
Children generally enter the sanctuary with their parents and remain seated with them until they
are invited up for the ‘Conversation With Children.’ One child or youth signs up to be the chalice
lighter and he or she meets with the Minister and DRE in the minister’s study prior to the start of
the service. They all process in during the prelude and sit up in the front of the sanctuary
together. Following the ‘Conversation’ all children process out as the congregation sings ‘Go Now
In Peace.’ It is then that the children and youth attend classes or a multi-age activity as a group.
Once a month, children and youth attend a ‘Children’s Worship’ instead of starting in the main sanctuary. Parents may choose to attend with them or attend the main service. This special worship time allows the children to share candles of joy and concern, participate in readings and learn songs which are part of the UU youth experience. They may then attend classes or remain in a large group for a planned activity. Several times throughout the church year multi-age activities are scheduled allowing the children and youth to bond as a group. You will notice many of their collaborative projects decorating the walls of the church. Whether the schedule calls for classes or a multi-age group activity parents are asked to collect their children at the close of the service. For safety reasons we ask class leaders not to dismiss a child until a parent arrives. Everyone is then invited to coffee hour held in the large room (Murray Room) next to the sanctuary.
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