ORUCC Children and Youth 

Sunday, January 18, 2025

Dear Families,

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Music Connections will meet during worship. 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, including a new project:

Solidarity Peace Cranes for Minneapolis.

-Pastor Kate & Julie M.

Nursery Care 8:30-11:30 AM

Nursery Care with Avery and Jade 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 for music led by Julie. Following the music, the children will hear 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. Josie G. and Jadyn G. will lead 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 revisit the text from  Joshua 24, Judges 2, 4-8 (“Judges”), ask questions, journal, draw, and reflect. Kristin M. and Barbara S. 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. This week, youth will begin to work on our Solidarity Peace Cranes for Minneapolis (see below) as they are guided by Brian L. and Gretchen F.

Solidarity Peace Cranes for Minneapolis Project

Some of our youth expressed a desire to do something in response to the violence being perpetrated by ICE in Minneapolis. Together, we will create an origami peace project to show our support and solidarity.

This Sunday, children, youth and others in the congregation will be invited to write prayers and words of hope and encouragement on origami paper and fold these intentions of peace into paper cranes and hearts.

These strings of hearts and cranes will be sent to Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, where a violent ICE raid took place last week, as a show of our 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!

Photo by Yuu Khoang on Unsplash

Music Opportunities This Week

Music Connections, our music and arts program for children, will meet this Sunday during the 10:00 worship hour, following Children’s Time. Children are welcome to begin worship with their families in the sanctuary until they are invited to join Julie M. for this program downstairs. We are still in need of a Safe Sanctuary volunteer for this week. Can you help?

TRU Function, our youth band led by Rob Martens and Megan Piper, will practice for February’s worship performance from 10:00-noon. TF “Lite” plays in worship on 1/25, and this smaller group will be practicing together outside of Sunday mornings.

Youth Lock-In “Lite”

January 23, 6:30-Midnight

We are planning a joint event with our friends at Madison Mennonite Church for youth from both of our congregations! Youth in 7th grade – high school are eligible to join in the fun. There will be games, food, a movie, and time just to hang out, have fun and get to know one another. Please indicate your interest with this form. See Pastor Kate for more information.

Epiphany All-Ages Faith Formation, Sunday, January 6

25 children and adults gathered in Friendship Hall on Sunday, January 6 to reflect on the story of the Magi’s arrival in Bethlehem to meet the Christ child. Small groups considered:



• The Magi and Herod reacted differently to the news of the new Messiah-King. What feelings do they share? What feelings are different?
• The Magi noticed something in nature (the star) that led them to Jesus. What beautiful or amazing parts of nature make you think of God?

We encourage you to keep these conversations going at home, in the car, and while you are out for walks in nature.

Join us again on Sunday, February 22 for a Lenten All Ages Faith Formation experience.

Save the Date: Upcoming Events

• January 23, “Lock-In Lite” 6:30pm-Midnight: Youth Event at ORUCC with Madison Mennonite Church! Sign up here

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.

Many are lonely, who will be neighbor?

Where there is caring, Christ is our light.

Some are neglected, who will be neighbor?

Where there is caring, Christ is our light.

Many are hungry, who will be neighbor?

Where there is sharing, Christ is our light.

Some may be strangers, who will be neighbor?

Where there is welcome, Christ is our friend.

-Now it Is Evening, excerpts. Words by Fred Pratt Green, Music by David Hass. GIA Publishing