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Youth Ministries

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Youth Education: A Curriculum of Love

Hands The Youth Ministry Department at Unity Church of Omaha is dedicated to the spiritual unfoldment of this world's most precious resource - the children. We recognize the importance of our children as the spiritual leaders of tomorrow and are committed to enriching their spiritual growth.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide a loving, supportive and joy-filled environment that promotes spiritual growth, physical and emotional health and positive self-esteem. Based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and Unity’s five basic principles, we seek to gently guide each child to recognize his or her God-given gifts and Christ qualities. We also believe that the children are the heartbeat of every community and it is our responsibility to support the youth as the youth supports the community. Their energy and vitality brings joy and light to Unity.

Youth Ministry Programs

Age group and school grades divide our classes so that each child receives his or her spiritual lesson at a level appropriate for their age. The age groups are as follows:

Nursery—0-3 years

Nursery Babies and toddlers are learning something every wakeful moment and we want their church time to be a wonderful experience for them. The nursery is kept for the exclusive use of children under the age of 3 to insure their safe exploration of their environment.

UniTots— 3-5 years

Our curriculum is designed to offer your children experiences of themselves as divine beings, with stories, songs, affirmations, meditations and creative activities that explore and express truth principles.

1st, 2nd & 3rd Grades

Our volunteer teachers are very dedicated and greatly appreciate the importance of the spiritual unfoldment of your children. The Bible, with yoga, music, prayer and meditation are used each Sunday during class time. Through our lessons and creative expression opportunities we allow our children to follow the law of their soul’s unfoldment.

4th & 5th Grades

As the children get into their older grades, they enjoy more discussion and have longer attention spans. The meditations are more appropriate to their age level and the students are challenged with opperortunities to think, reason and solve problems using their spiritual principles. Our curriculum is designed to open new pathways of thought and spiritual development by learning about other cultures, Biblical History and self-exploration.

UniTeens—6th-8th Grades

UniTeen leaders present lessons from the newest curriculum available through the Association of Unity Churches. Some of the material addresses issues that directly affect the Pre-Teen. We recognize that at this age the children’s needs are changing and they may like to discuss in more detail how they can apply what they are learning in their daily lives, particularly when confronting challenging circumstances. The UniTeens often assist the church with special projects and organize their own outside activities.

Youth of Unity—9th-12th Grades

The Y.O.U. is a group of teens that come together to learn Unity principles, serve the community and share loving, spiritual fellowship. All Y.O.U. activities are designed to promote one of three goals: spiritual unfoldment, service to God and spiritual fellowship. While the Y.O.U. Group is a youth-led group, there are adult sponsors who provide input and guidance. Y.O.U.’ers have the opportunity to travel to regional rallies and attend the annual Y.O.U. conference.

Events

Special events and family oriented activities are held throughout the year to support the spiritual growth of the families who attend UCO and to make a significant contribution to our community.

Some of these events include:

Church Picnic
Elementary Drama (3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th Grades)
Youth Puppets (1st, 2nd & 3rd Grades)
Lock-In (Over night events for UniTeens and Y.O.U.)
Holiday Parties
Retreats, Rallies, and Camping trips (UniTeens and Y.O.U.)
Fundraising Events & Service Projects

Registration

To better serve the young people as well as you, the parent or guardian, we ask that any child or youth attending Sunday morning classes as other than a guest be registered. Please know that all information is kept confidential should you need to include anything you see as being highly sensitive. Feel free to discuss any concerns with the Youth Ministries Director. We are here to serve you and your family and are blessed to do so!

Once your child is registered, we ask that you inform us if pertinent data should change so we might update our files. We also send out Birthday Cards so please be sure to let us know if there are any new members to your family so that we may honor them on this special day.

You can pick up the registration form in the Outer Youth Ed room after services.

Parent Participation

Your presence and participation in our program are not only welcomed but necessary to ensure a continued strong program. This is a partnership – we all want what is best for the children! Ask your child what he/she learned in class that day, talk to your child’s teacher. If you know what your child is learning weekly you can reinforce this in your home.

By volunteering to assist the teachers or teach, perhaps you will feel more comfortable or confident in your own role as a spiritual guide. Plus, by actually spending time in your child’s classroom you relay a very positive message…that your child’s spiritual growth is very important to you!

Arrival & Departure

The Nursery is open ten or fifteen minutes prior to each service for infants and toddlers under three. Please pick up your child immediately following services. With the exception of bottles, we ask that no food or drink be brought into the Nursery.

UniTots, Elementary, UniTeen, and Youth of Unity classes are held during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service. Children attending these classes should plan to attend the beginning portion of the Service with parents or guardians. After the blessing, they are led back to their appropriate classrooms by the volunteer teachers.

Please, plan to pick up your child in the Outer Youth Ed room immediately following service.

We ask that the children not be allowed to roam the building or the grounds. We love the children and are concerned for their well-being and can only supervise them adequately in a classroom setting.

For additional information contact:
Stacey Podany
Youth Ministries Director
Unity Church of Omaha
402-571-1344
stacey@unityomaha.org