ORUCC Children and Youth 

Sunday, February 1, 2026

Dear Families,

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Music Connections is back on this week. We are in need of a Safe Sanctuary Volunteer. Can you help?

Please read on below for more detailed information about this Sunday and other upcoming opportunities.

-Pastor Kate & Julie M.

Faith Formation for All Children & Youth

Nursery Care 8:30-11:30 AM

Nursery Care with Avery and Abby is available for children 6 months to 5 years old in the Frances Room.

Peace Circle (PreK-5th Grade) 9:00-9:50 AM:

Children in PreK-5th Grade will meet in the Ruby Bridges Room. This week, the children will continue their exploration of the story, “Jubilee,” which focuses on text from Leviticus 25. Following the story, the children will be invited to explore the story deeper through a game, coloring, art, and sand play. Julie M. and Becky E. will guide the children in the experience.

Echo the Story (Middle School) will gather in the Anne Frank Room to journey through the main stories and themes of the bible using a curriculum that invites questions and creative engagement. This week, we’ll explore the text from Ruth 1-4 ask questions, journal, draw, and reflect. Kristin M. and Hal E. will guide the group in the discussion. 

Teen Text (High School) will gather in the Dorothy Day room. This group will be using “Teen Text,” a progressive Christian Bible study resource that guides teens to reflect together in discussion on the lectionary scripture texts associated with each Sunday. Brian L. and Paul V. will guide the discussion this week.

Music Opportunities for Children & Youth

Music Connections for children in 1st-6th grade will meet during worship at 10:00 a.m. Children will begin in the sanctuary and head downstairs with Julie Mazer following Children’s Time. We are in need of a Safe Sanctuary Volunteer. Can you help?

TRU Function, our youth band, will practice this Sunday from 10:00-noon. TRU Function is led by Rob M. and Megan P.

First Ever Joint Youth Lock-In “Lite” was a Success!

Despite the below zero temps last Friday night, 16 youth and 6 adults showed up to eat pizza, play silly games, and run around the church as we built relationships and had fun. This was a fellowship event planned with our friends at Madison Mennonite Church. We had a blast!

At ORUCC, We Are Committed to Justice

Driven by a desire from some of our youth to do something in response to the violence being perpetrated by ICE in Minneapolis, we encouraged members of our congregation to create origami cranes and hearts. Many pieces included prayers and words of hope and encouragement for recipients to discover. We created at least 150 origami pieces!

These origami hearts and cranes will be sent to Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, where a violent ICE raid took place this month, as a show of our support and solidarity with their community. This school has ties to our congregation, where ORUCC member Sara Hagen’s brother-in-law serves as the principal. We want to send our hopes for peace and justice while we show the community at Roosevelt High that they are not alone!

Save the Date: Upcoming Events

• February 1, All Church Chili Cook-Off after worship
• February 8, 8:15-9:30, Crafty Sunday
• February 17, Party Gras
• February 22, 9 am All Church Lenten Faith Formation

Home Prayer for the Week: 

You are invited to use this prayer with your family to help deepen your faith together. Times you might consider sharing this prayer include before bedtime, at mealtime, or any other regular connecting moment you share with your child(ren). Does your family have a prayer practice or a favorite prayer? If you are comfortable sharing, please EMAIL JULIE, and your family’s prayer will be featured here.

God of creation,

thank you for the beauty of winter- for snow, icy window panes,

evergreen trees, warm coats, sledding, and hot cocoa.

Let us enjoy Your creation in all its glory, this winter and always.

-Unknown