ORUCC Children and Youth 

Sunday, September 28, 2025

Dear Families,

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday! This week’s service will feature “TruFunction Lite,” a smaller group of performers. Music Connections will not meet this week. Children are invited to join their families in the sanctuary after Faith Formation to support TruFunction.

After worship, all are invited to assist in various indoor and outdoor tasks around the church for “Worship and Work.” Lunch is provided for everyone – regardless of your availability to assist in projects.

We are in great need of adults and older teens to be Safe Sanctuary Volunteers for Music Connections. In agreement with our church’s Safe Sanctuary policy, two adults must be present in a room when working with children. Can you help?  Sign up to volunteer.  No prior music experience is needed.

Faith Formation for all children and youth meets at 9:00 a.m. This year, we have three classrooms: Peace Circle (Pre-K to 5^th grade), Echo the Story (Middle School), and Teen Text (High School). Nursery care is available for younger children.

If you have never filled out the Sunday School Participant Google Form for your child, please do so. This is especially important so we know if your child has any dietary restrictions or food allergies. If there are any changes or things we should know about, please edit your submission from last year or fill out the form again.

Please read on for more details about all of these events. We trust that this will be another joy-filled, meaningful year. We can’t wait to see you soon!

-Pastor Kate & Julie M.

Sunday Morning Faith Formation Classes

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

Nursery Care is available for children 6 months to 5 years old in the Frances Room. Be sure to pop in and introduce yourself to our Nursery Care Workers, Abby and Avery!

Peace Circle (PreK-5th Grade) 9:00-9:50 AM:

Children in PreK-5th Grade will begin in the Ruby Bridges Room at 9 am for Music with Josie and Jadyn. Following the music, the children will continue their reflection of the story “Job and the Whirlwind” from the Book of Job. This week, the children will travel outdoors to notice and observe the many plants and trees surrounding our property. Later, they’ll move back indoors to engage in reflective stations and prayer. 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 look deeper at the text from Genesis 12-13, 15-28, and 21 (“Promise,” stories of God’s covenant after the flood, Abram and Sarai, and Hagar), 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 group will be guided by Al B., Brian L., and Gretchen F. this Sunday.

Music Opportunities

Music Connections will not meet this week. Instead, children are welcome their families in the sanctuary after Faith Formation to support TruFunction.

TRU Function will not hold regualar practice this Sunday.

Save the Date: Upcoming Events

October 3, 6:00-8:00 pm, Family Game Night: 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.

October 5, 9:00-9:50, Parents Together: Raising kids is hard work, full of joy and challenge. Need some community support? Parents and caregivers are invited to come together for a peer-led parents’ support group at 9:00 am in the Oscar Romero Room, facilitated by Claire Purkis and Joanna Beilman-Dulin.

October 12, 8:15-9:00 “Crafty Sunday” : Children of all ages are invited to craft in the William Johnson Room. All are welcome to bring a current project or start a new project using the materials we have on hand.

October 19, 11:15 a.m., Pen Pal Meet-Up: If you participated in the summer pen pal program, this is a time to meet your pen pal IN PERSON while enjoying some lemonade together after worship.

October 24, (evening start time TBD), Treinen Farms Bonfire: All ages welcome at this family-friendly event held at Treinen Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Lodi. ORUCC will rent a bonfire circle and provide S’more supplies, but each family is responsible for purchasing their own tickets for all ages 3+. Tickets can be purchased online ahead of time for a discount, or at the door. Scholarships are available through the church, so let Pastor Kate know if that would help your family be able to attend.

October 26: Service Trip Celebration in Worship and Info Session: We will have the opportunity to share about our experience in Kansas City this Sunday! This will also include TRU Function’s first full-band performance in worship, followed by a 2026 Service Trip Info Session at 11:15 following worship.

Peace Table Storybook Bible – On Sale

During the Children’s Moment on September 14, Pastor Kate showcased the Peace Table Storybook Bible, which our elementary children regularly reference in Faith Formation. For the month of September, this Bible is 20% off. If you are interested in a copy for your family, you are invited to purchase one HERE.

“This comprehensive storybook includes biblically faithful retellings of 140 Bible stories. Stunning artwork from 30 illustrators makes this a feast for the eyes. Along with each Bible story, there are prayer prompts, questions, and action ideas to guide reflection and conversation. Twelve “Peace Paths” allow children to “choose their own adventure” through the book, exploring how peace themes are woven throughout the Old and New Testaments. A resource section includes ideas for how to experience peace with God, self, others, and creation, as well as maps, Bible background information, interactive ways to pray, and prayers for many occasions. The Peace Table is an excellent resource for families and faith communities who want their children to love Jesus, grow in faith, and become peacemakers who change the world!” 

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.

Blessing for Leaving Home

(Rest your hand gently on the person’s head or shoulder)

May God fill you with love.

May God surprise you with joy.

May God bless you with peace.

-From The Peace Table, A Storybook Bible