ORUCC Children and Youth 

Sunday, November 30, 2025

Dear Families,

Happy Thanksgiving week! We are so grateful to be in ministry together at ORUCC. This coming Sunday is the first week of Advent. There will be a special all-ages faith formation gathering at 9:00 a.m. Please read below for details about this, and other upcoming events.

-Pastor Kate & Julie M.

Sunday Morning Faith Formation Classes

Supported Childcare 8:30-11:30 AM

This service allows parents of children ages 0-5 to socialize and engage in the service, but encourages parents to stay nearby to assist their child, as well. Jade will be on hand to assist and play with young children.

Intergenerational Faith Formation 9:00 a.m.:

All are welcome to come to an all-ages faith formation event for the first Sunday of Advent! Together we will share in some faith reflection led by Julie M. and conversation while we make special Christmas Tree ornaments to bring home. This will be in place of regular children’s, youth, and adult faith formation for this Sunday.

Music Opportunities

Music Connections:  Children participating in the Christmas Eve service will rehearse from 10-11 am. Please note that children will not attend worship, but will begin downstairs with Julie. We might need 75 min to get through all the material. Your patience and flexibility as we move through this season is appreciated! Anyone not participating in Christmas Eve is still invited to stay in worship or visit the Crossroads with a caregiver. For more information about our Christmas Eve Program or to sign your child up, please please do so HERE.

TRU Function: will begin their preparations for the Christmas Eve service at with practice from 10:00-Noon on Sunday.

All are Welcome at Family Game Night!

Grab a friend, bring a game and a snack to share.

Guardians are responsible for the supervision of their own children at this event as we all play together!

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 14, Crafty Sunday, 8:15-9:00
• 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.

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.

Thanksgiving Day

For a delicious meal to fill our tummies,

we say thank you.

For a warm home and a bed to sleep in,

we say thank you.

For family and friends,

we say thank you.

For air to breathe and water to drink,

we say thank you.

Fro sun and moon and wind and rain,

we say thank you.

For this special day of celebration,

we say thank you.

Thank you, God.

Thank you.

-from Prayers for Faithful Families, by Traci Smith