Children’s Religious Education

Welcome to the 2023 -2024 Academic Year!

Welcome to the Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation! Thank you for entrusting us with the safety and development of your children.

This academic year, our programming starts in October and runs through May.

Here is a general calendar

For details on what is happening on what Sunday, contact Kristin R. (kristin.reveal@gnuuc.org)

1st Sundays: Interactive, Multi-generational Services. Very family friendly. These services do not have a “sermon,” but instead have short, interactive components.

Sundays: Wiggle Room Sundays: Children either attend service with their families or hang out in the “Wiggle Room,” which is attached through an open door to the sanctuary. The Wiggle Room has age appropriate books, crafts, and games. It also has a large window into the Sanctuary. Parents can hang out with children in the wiggle room and still hear the service.

Soul Matters Sundays: Children divide into age-based classrooms for learning activities based on the monthly Soul Matters them. These Sundays build on UU Identity.

Community Events: Join us for community Game Night, Movie Night, and Hanging of the Greens/Coffee House. Some of these events are on Saturday evenings and some on Sunday mornings.

Current Classes

When we divide into classes we currently break into 2 groups, plus preschool aged children. Note: If we end up with large classes this year, we’ll split the Rainbow kids into smaller groups.

Rainbow Kids Class

Children - join us for the Rainbow Kids class.

Age Range: Elementary (~Pre-K to 6th)
Fall Dates: October 22, November 19, December 17

Meeting Location: Children’s RE Building, large central room

Class Time: 11 AM (attend service through the Time for All Sages, then proceed to class) - end of service (around noon)

Teachers: Taught by Tina with Gina as Classroom Helper.

The Rainbow Kids Class will use the Soul Matters Elementary programming this year. Each session matches our monthly Soul Matter theme.

Pathfinders Youth Class

Teens - join us for the Coming of Age class.

Age Range: Teens (~ 7th to 12th)

Fall Dates: October 22, November 19, December 17

Class Time: Youth will attend service only through Chalice Lighting, then proceed to class. They will break for potluck, bringing their lunch back into class. In later sessions mentors will join us for lunch!

Facilitators: Kristin with Nathaniel B.

The Pathfinders Youth Class will be using the Soul Matter “Becoming” Coming of Age curricula this year.

​Becoming is built around a particular framing of the spiritual life, inspired by the work being done at the Sacred Design Lab. This frame views the spiritual life as made up of three dimensions and accompanying questions:
Belonging – To whom or what do I belong?
Becoming – Who am I becoming?
Beyond – What is beyond me?

Wiggle Room

The Wiggle Room is off the Sanctuary. Parents may take young children in to play during the service. There is a speaker where the service can be heard and a viewing window. You are also welcome to keep the door open - we don’t mind the sound of children at all! Parent supervision is required in this room.

Chalice Children Classroom

The Chalice Children classroom is in the RE building. Depending on interest and attendance, preschool children may attend class here. We often read a UU friendly story and may attempt Joys and Concerns, depending on age levels present.

Rainbow Kids Classroom

The Rainbow Kids classroom is in the main, central room in the RE building. The K - 5th grade classroom uses the Soul Matter curricula when we break into age groups. When we have Special Sundays, like Maker Space and Music Sundays, we all meet in this room.

Pathfinders Youth Room

The Pathfinders Youth room is in the RE Building. It is where our upper middle and high school youth meet.

Multimedia / Hybrid Room

The Multimedia room is in the RE building. It is used for adult small group ministry, hybrid group, and Children’s RE multimedia programming.

Still Spring Park: Playground. Garden. Paths.

Let’s not forget our outdoor classroom. We own Still Spring Park, which includes a playground, gazebo and picnic area, and 5 acres of gardens and paths adjacent to our building. Classrooms make great use of this outdoor space too!