Got Church?

By Linda Depke
Youth Education Director

In a world of infinite choices, why are you here today, in this place at this time? Is it because this is where you belong – what you believe – or is it just easier to continue with what has been familiar, rather than to risk the unknown?

Many people perpetuate the image and traditions of their parents or grandparents, even though they have questioned them. This then makes it difficult to truly embrace their own divine nature. At Unity, children and teens are asked to engage in their own personal relationship with God and each other.

Many of us have learned to put the God of our parents in a box ... and then bury the box if we never acquired a personal connection to Spirit. Many have hidden Spirit in a huge mountain of authoritarian rules, and therefore not utilized the spiritual tools and gifts abundantly available to us. Over time, few remember the box. They go about their weekly church activities and just do what is familiar. Rare are those who desire to dig deep enough to release God from the old image and rules we all created.

The youth programs at Unity are based on the truth principle that we are all connected in God and through God. Our children and teens are encouraged to release the old God and see a God that is all good and everywhere present. In class we dig through the mountain and get God out of the box. Children and teens empower themselves with an image of God that is theirs: exciting and relevant to their life, a God image that gives their life character, direction, and joyous meaning. They are taught that their God image is a vital contribution to the oneness of God and the wholeness of this community.

This month expand your image of God and your awareness of why you are here at this church. As a family, why do you attend church? Do you know? And do you know the spiritual treasure box you have found for your children and teens in the classrooms of Unity?
Linda

Children's Activities

Summer Curriculum for Children’s Classes
Each summer we take a break from our traditional Sunday school curriculum to visit the spiritual lessons within outstanding works of children’s literature. This summer we move from stories of the male role model to look at some heroines. Children will be taken on an adventure into the Cinderella tales from around the world. Each culture has a story of perseverance where the heroine uses spiritual gifts and attributes to look beyond the human experience and gain an awareness of her true divine nature.

Children’s Choir
Mother’s Day Performance:
Sunday, May 11 • 8:15; 9:45 and 11:15 a.m. (at all Morning Worship Services)
This will be the last day of Choir Rehearsal. Sound check is at 7:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary.

Summer Drama Camp
Do you have a flair for the dramatic? Do you love telling stories? Or are you just looking to have some fun? We’re looking for graduated 4th, 5th and 6th graders who would like to prepare and be a part of our production of Beauty and the Beast. We’re also seeking adults to help with various tasks, including drama coaches, and costume and set designers.

Rehearsals begin June 1 and continue each Sunday throughout the summer until “Lights, Camera and Action” time on August 24, when the final production will be presented in the Sanctuary.

More information is available in the classroom and at the Youth and Family Ministry Table in the Courtyard. Don’t miss the opportunity to get involved in this fun production!!!

Parent/Actor Information Meeting
Sunday, May 18, 12:30 p.m. (Room 8)
Volunteer Information Meeting
Sunday, May 25, 12:30 p.m. (Room 8)
Rehearsals Begin
Sunday, June 1, 9:30 to 11 a.m. (Rooms 6&7)
Auditions
Sunday, June 8, 9:30 to 11 a.m. (Rooms 6&7)

Teen Teachers
Sunday, May 25 (All Children’s Sunday School Classrooms) Our Teen Mentors will teach the Sunday School lesson in all of our children’s classrooms today! Fun, laughter, community, group-building games and lots of God will be a part of this very special day. Join us as our very own youth share their love and light with our children.

Peace Camp
Monday-Friday, June 9-13 • 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Children’s Classrooms)
This year’s Kids’ Peace Camp for kids who have completed kindergarten through 5th grade will feature a theme of TWO SIDES OF A COIN ARE ONE. Each morning, trained Teen Mentors use communication, problem solving, advocacy and peaceful alternatives to show children that there are two sides to every situation ... just like “two sides of a coin.” They teach that we may appear to be different, but we are the same, connected and together in God. Each afternoon, teachers take children on a very fun adventure into exploring their inner gifts and treasures, using creative arts, games and puppetry. Teen mentors will be honored at all services on June 29, 2008.