ORUCC Children and Youth 

Sunday, November 23, 2025

Dear Families,

Below you’ll find helpful information for events coming up this Sunday and the few weeks ahead, including an announcement about our 2026 Youth Service Trip.

Pastor Kate and 4 youth will be away attending a Middle School faith retreat at Daycholah Center this weekend, but there are many other exciting events happening for kids of all ages at ORUCC this Sunday!

-Pastor Kate & Julie M.

Sunday Morning Faith Formation Classes

Nursery Care (Up to Age 5) 8:30-11:30 AM

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

All Children and Youth (PreK-HS): Bridges Room

This Sunday, all ages will gather together for a few songs and to hear the story, “New Clothes and A New Song,” from Colossians 3:10-17. Following the reflection, children and youth will have the opportunity to write cards of hope and care to Trans individuals in the community and to prepare materials for our annual gift giving tree. Julie M., Barbara S., and Kellie M. will guide the group in the experience.

Music Opportunities

Music Connections:  Children in grades 2-6 are invited to the downstairs Music Room (Dietrich Bonhoeffer Room) for Music Connections after Children’s Time in worship.This Sunday, we’ll join together for a preview of the material we’ll develop further for our Christmas Eve service. Older youth may participate in Music Connections as a helper. If your child wishes to be a helper, please connect with Julie to chat about expectations. We are in need of a Safe Sanctuary volunteer this week. Can you help? Sign up here.

TRU Function: Our youth band will perform in worship this Sunday! Band members are expected to arrive at 8:30 a.m. for set up and practice. Please stay afterwards to help with tear down as well. TRU Function is led by Rob Martens.

Youth Service Trip Announcement and Fundraiser Cookie Sale Info

Our youth service trip next summer will be to Detroit, MI, July 12-18, 2026 with an organization called Motown Mission! Youth entering 8th grade through high school graduation are eligible for this trip. Please see this document for more information, and contact Pastor Kate if your youth would like to participate. A deposit of $100 is due by December 7 to secure your spot. 

All participating youth are expected to take part in the Cookie Sale, our first fundraiser, on December 14th. Please see this document for more information. Additionally, ORUCC youth are invited to a Cookie Baking Party on December 12th! More information and RSVP here.

Save the Date: Upcoming Events

• November 30, Intergenerational Faith Formation at 9 am: Children and adults of all ages are invited to join together in Friendship Hall to begin the Advent season together. We’ll reflect on the story of Mary’s Song and engage in hands on crafts and conversation.
• December 5, Family Game Night, 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.
• December 7, Parents Together Peer Support Group, 9:00 a.m.: 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.
• December 12, Youth Service Trip Cookie Baking Party: See info here!
• December 14, Cookie Sale Fundraiser: Youth participating in the 2026 Service Trip are expected to participate in this fundraiser. Please see more info here.

At Orchard Ridge, We are Spiritually Alive!

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.

A Prayer for When You Feel Upset

God, I don’t feel happy today.

I’m sad

or mad

or tired.

Be near to me as I breathe in

and breathe out.

I feel fresh air in my lungs.

I know these feelings won’t last forever.

I pray they soon fade away.

In and out I breathe.

In and out I breathe.

Hard feelings don’t last forever.

-from Little Prayers for Everyday Life, by Traci Smith