ORUCC Children and Youth 

Sunday, January 4, 2025

Dear Families,

We hope you had a restorative holiday week with family and friends. Programming resumes this Sunday, January 4, with a special Intergenerational Faith Formation at 9 AM. Join us for an Epiphany Reflection, Creative Star design making, and tasty Star Cookies made by our beloved John Leonard.

Music Connections will resume during worship. TRU Function will NOT meet this week. Nursery Care/Supported Childcare is also off this Sunday.

Children and their caregivers are welcome to enjoy the space in the Crossroads.

A small selection of John Leonard’s delicious Epiphany breads will be shared following worship, as well.

-Pastor Kate & Julie M.

Family Game Night

Friday January 2, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Bring a game, a friend, and/or a dish to share with your fellow church families. Kids from elementary age through high school are invited to attend with their adults. We’ll play games and socialize over a very informal potluck in Friendship Hall.

Parents Together Support Group, Rescheduled for 1/11

Raising kids is hard work, full of joy and challenge. Need some community support? Parents are invited to come together for a peer-led parents’ support group in the Oscar Romero room, facilitated by Claire Purkis and Joanna Beilman-Dulin.

This group is normally held on the first Sunday of the month, but will meet on the second Sunday in January to allow families to attend Intergenerational Faith Formation together on 1/4.

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.

Christmas Eve 2025

was a success!



Thank you for all of the hard work that went into creating this beautiful service from TRU Function, our Music Connections kids and their families! It is truly a team effort over many weeks.

We had fun with a pizza party for kids and their families after our dress rehearsal as well. Perhaps a new Christmas Eve-Eve tradition?



Save the Date: Upcoming Events

• January 2, Family Game Night 6:00-8:00 p.m.
• January 4, All ages Intergenerational Epiphany Faith Formation, 9:00 a.m.
• January 11, 8:15-9:00 Crafty Sunday
• January 11, 9:00 Parents Together Support Group
• January 23, “Lock-In Lite” 6:30pm-Midnight: Youth Event at ORUCC with Madison Mennonite Church! RSVP 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.

We put the decorations up to remember a special season.

We take them down and remember this special time.

We put things away gently and look forward to taking them out again next year.

Next year they will be new again.

Next year they will be waiting for us.

Next year they will bring us joy and happiness.

-from Faithful Families for Advent and Christmas, Traci Smith