ORUCC Children and Youth

Faith Formation Update

Sunday, March 16, 2025

Dear Families,

Several of our families will join in community together this weekend at the All Church Retreat at Daycholah Center. We will not hold 9 am Faith Formation this Sunday, but at 10 am children are welcome to attend worship and Music Connections. At the bottom of the email, you will find some important dates for some fun events and a prayer to try as a family this week.

~Pastor Kate and Julie M.

Nursery Care is available 8:30-11:30. Abby and Najma are ready to play with your little one.

NO 9 AM FAITH FORMATION

Due to the All Church Retreat, we will not hold Faith Formation this Sunday.

Faith Formation will meet on Sunday, March 23, for a labyrinth walk for all children and youth.

No Faith Formation on Sunday, March 30 due to Spring Break.

Music Opportunities for Children and Youth

Music Connections WILL meet this Sunday

Following the children’s moment in worship, children in grades 2-6 are invited to join Julie downstairs in the Friedrich Bonhoeffer room for creative movement and ukulele play. Bethany will be our Safe Sanctuary volunteer.

Older youth are invited to stay in worship or participate in Music Connections as a helper. If your child wishes to be a helper, please connect with Julie to chat about expectations. In agreement with our church’s Safe Sanctuary policy, two adults must be present in a room when working with children. Sign up to volunteer. 

TRU Function: TRU Function will practice from 10:00-12:00 in the Haynes Music Room.

Upcoming Events

• Amazing GRace (for Middle and High School Youth): Sunday, April 6 –RSVP to Julie

“The GRACE is run much like the popular CBS, TV reality show. Teams of Church Youth follow clues to make their way around the greater Madison area on a race to the finish line. Along the way, youth (as individuals and teams) complete an array of challenges to receive their next clue. Think of it as a mash-up of: ESCAPE ROOM, BIBLE STUDY, & RACE!

The first team to finish the GRACE will win a Trophy and the PRIZE POT will be donated to the CHARITY of their choosing! BUT…. all who participate are WINNERS!” Last year, our team WON and brought home the traveling trophy. We are invited back this year to defend our winning title. Additionally, our youth will have the opportunity to meet youth from other area UCC churches.

In the Community

• “Resilient Families” Conversations, March 16 and April 13, 5:00-7:30 p.m.: Madison Friends Meetinghouse (Quaker) invites the community to participate in monthly conversations about challenges facing families today. March 16 focuses on social media usage, and April 13 on talking about climate change. Free dinner and childcare provided! See this document for more information.

• Saturday, April 5, 10:00-2:00, “Doing Justice Advocacy at UW Madison: A free event geared toward current high school students (or incoming college students) who are interested in learning more about justice advocacy at UW Madison. Sponsored by the Crossing ministry, a progressive ecumenical ministry for college students. Lunch provided! RSVP to director Michael Burch at the email: [email protected]

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.

At the close of our Intergenerational Faith Formation last week, we shared this prayer:

Dear God, thank you for our friends and family. Help us to be kind to everyone we meet, not just the people we know or the people we like. We want to be more like Jesus, who welcomed everyone. Amen.

(Sanctified Arts)

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