There's always something new to learn, regardless of your age. We teach children to be kind, respectful and fair-minded, and to stand up for what’s right. Rather than telling them (or you) what to believe, we encourage a search for what is true and meaningful. That continues through adulthood, as we gather in classes and groups to continue to explore our faith and purpose in life. At The Church of the River, we learn, and grow our souls together, throughout all the ages and stages of our lives.

Registration for Children and Youth Development for the 2026-2027 church programming year that begins September 27 is now open. We’re asking ALL families to fill out our new registration forms this year (see buttons above). Our database is quite out of date, and it’s crucial that we have the most up-to-date information to plan appropriately for classes.

Please take a moment to complete the appropriate registration form(s) for your family. The registration form includes a place to indicate how you might like to volunteer. You can also contact Jessica directly to find the role that best fits your interests and availability.

 Sunday Schedule (Sept. 27, 2026-May 2027):

  • 9:30 am - 12:15 pm Nursery Open
  • 9:30 - 10:30 am  Journeys  Adult Group that discusses a different topic each week
  • 10 - 10:50 am First Hour Programs  — Faith Development For All Ages 
    • Spirit Play (PreK-2nd Grade) - Our early elementary children meet in the Yellow Room to encounter our monthly themes in a Montessori-based setting through story, ritual, spiritual wonder, and play. 
    • Spirit Jam (3rd-5th Grade) - Like a good jam session, everyone brings something. Children meet in the Red Room to explore our themes through UU theology, conversation, creativity, spiritual practice, and our framework of Doing, Belonging, Becoming, and Making. 
    • Adult Faith Development Offerings - Faith development programs for adults of all ages at 10am on Sunday mornings. Current topic: "The Inquirers" with Rev. Lynn, watch our Weekly Newsletter for more info.
  • 10 am - 12 pm  — Spirit Quest (6th - 12th Grade)  Faith becomes something youth explore and begin to claim for themselves. Meeting in the Blue Room, they dig into questions like, "Where does this value come from? Why does it matter to Unitarian Universalists?" while building community, deepening youth-adult relationships, engaging in service and social action, and growing as leaders
  • During Worship — Spirit Studio (PreK – 7th)  After the Time for All Ages, kids are invited to check out our Spirit Studio. It offers children another way to participate in Sunday morning through projects, activities, play, and fellowship during the remainder of the worship hour.

 

Support Our Family Programs!

Here are ways you can help.

Family Ministry Testimonials

"It was the congregation that we visited that was most welcoming, most inclusive and really we felt the warm embrace that was preached from the pulpit actually in the heart of the church."

--The Redmon Family

“A lot of people my age are raised in very religiously conservative households. But The Church of the River is a community with enough space to allow you to come into your own ...without having to adhere to a dogma.”

--C. Yeargan, youth group member

“ I never wanted to be in a situation where I was taking my child to a church where they were saying things I don’t believe in, and I never feel that way at The Church of the River.”

--Neil and Atticus