Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens When We Visit?
We love having visitors! If you are new to Channing, please come a few minutes early to the Parish Hall (behind the Sanctuary). You can look around, meet Channing's Director of Religious Education, who will introduce the teachers, and sign in your children before the service begins
Where Will My Children Go?
Children begin most Sundays in the Sanctuary with their parents at 10 AM. After the lighting of our chalice, the Message For All Ages and singing together, children and teachers proceed to religious education classes where they will spend the rest of the hour.
On the second Sunday of the month, children and youth begin in the Parish Hall for Chalice Circle Worship together at 10 a.m. This brief worship includes a food collection for the local Food Pantry.
Children age four and younger start their church day before the service in the Parish Hall Childcare Room. Some families choose to have their children stay with them through the whole service; we encourage families to follow what feels comfortable and right for them.
RE classes are suspended on holiday weekends. Special multi-age programming for children 5 -12 will be available. This year we are continuing the popular "Faith In Action" events, when we focus on social justice issues and work together to make a difference in our community.
After service on all Sundays, parents go to the classroom or Childcare Room to sign out children in grade 5 and below. Parents are then responsible for their children during Fellowship Hour and in the playground
What is an Multigenerational Service?
Periodically, children stay in church with their parents for multigenerational worship. These are usually holidays or times of celebration for our congregation. Children become acquainted with church ritual and are able to enjoy Sunday worship with all age members of Channing. Bringing your child to multigenerational Services is a wonderful way to share our faith.
Children often enjoy church and can focus for the hour. Don’t worry too much if it looks like they aren’t paying attention! We have "busy bags" with quiet activities for children to use during the service. These manipulatives engage children’s hands while leaving their minds free to listen.
There is also Childcare during the service for children under 5 years old in Parish Hall
What Will My Child Learn?
The Religious Education Committee has identified several key components of our Unitarian Universalist faith to present to the children and youth of Channing each year. These topics include: World Religions (Jewish and Christian Heritage, Eastern Religions, Nature Based, Humanism), Unitarian Universalist Identity (Our Principles, History, Ritual, and Sources), Social Justice Issues (Peacemaking, Diversity and Justice, Earth Stewardship, Life Issues). Our curricula is chosen each year to highlight different topics in age appropriate ways
Is There a Fee?
There is no charge for children to participate in the Religious Education Program. Annually, each household is asked to pledge financial support to Channing Memorial Church at a level comfortable to them. This annual pledge supports all the work of the congregation, including staff salaries, building maintenance and program supplies.
What does Cooperative Mean?
Ours is a cooperative, volunteer taught religious education program, led by a volunteer Religious Education Committee and a part-time paid Director of Religious Education. All members of the congregation are expected to participate in the religious growth and learning of the congregation's children.
Volunteers teach and assist in classes, help with special events, make music, address our children during our weekly worship service and serve on our Religious Education Committee.
Volunteer leaders of our religious education classes include Channing members and friends of all backgrounds. This creates a rich, diverse and intergenerational program. Teachers gather as teams and plan for our children cooperatively with the assistance of the Director or Religious Education
The instruction of our classes is informal and activity oriented, providing an environment for students to learn and question while having fun. Curricula are used to provide developmentally appropriate education to our children, and our volunteer teachers are encouraged to use their own experiences and creativity. It is our aim to develop well educated young Unitarian Universalists who can proudly articulate what they believe
How Do I Volunteer?
New adults are ineligible to teach classes for six months while getting to know our community, but there are plenty of other ways to get involved. Call our Religious Education Committee Chairs or Director of Religious Education to find out how you can take part! New families can help with special events, help with worship, make music and/or art and serve on our Religious Education Committee. What talents would you like to share?
We love having visitors! If you are new to Channing, please come a few minutes early to the Parish Hall (behind the Sanctuary). You can look around, meet Channing's Director of Religious Education, who will introduce the teachers, and sign in your children before the service begins
Where Will My Children Go?
Children begin most Sundays in the Sanctuary with their parents at 10 AM. After the lighting of our chalice, the Message For All Ages and singing together, children and teachers proceed to religious education classes where they will spend the rest of the hour.
On the second Sunday of the month, children and youth begin in the Parish Hall for Chalice Circle Worship together at 10 a.m. This brief worship includes a food collection for the local Food Pantry.
Children age four and younger start their church day before the service in the Parish Hall Childcare Room. Some families choose to have their children stay with them through the whole service; we encourage families to follow what feels comfortable and right for them.
RE classes are suspended on holiday weekends. Special multi-age programming for children 5 -12 will be available. This year we are continuing the popular "Faith In Action" events, when we focus on social justice issues and work together to make a difference in our community.
After service on all Sundays, parents go to the classroom or Childcare Room to sign out children in grade 5 and below. Parents are then responsible for their children during Fellowship Hour and in the playground
What is an Multigenerational Service?
Periodically, children stay in church with their parents for multigenerational worship. These are usually holidays or times of celebration for our congregation. Children become acquainted with church ritual and are able to enjoy Sunday worship with all age members of Channing. Bringing your child to multigenerational Services is a wonderful way to share our faith.
Children often enjoy church and can focus for the hour. Don’t worry too much if it looks like they aren’t paying attention! We have "busy bags" with quiet activities for children to use during the service. These manipulatives engage children’s hands while leaving their minds free to listen.
There is also Childcare during the service for children under 5 years old in Parish Hall
What Will My Child Learn?
The Religious Education Committee has identified several key components of our Unitarian Universalist faith to present to the children and youth of Channing each year. These topics include: World Religions (Jewish and Christian Heritage, Eastern Religions, Nature Based, Humanism), Unitarian Universalist Identity (Our Principles, History, Ritual, and Sources), Social Justice Issues (Peacemaking, Diversity and Justice, Earth Stewardship, Life Issues). Our curricula is chosen each year to highlight different topics in age appropriate ways
Is There a Fee?
There is no charge for children to participate in the Religious Education Program. Annually, each household is asked to pledge financial support to Channing Memorial Church at a level comfortable to them. This annual pledge supports all the work of the congregation, including staff salaries, building maintenance and program supplies.
What does Cooperative Mean?
Ours is a cooperative, volunteer taught religious education program, led by a volunteer Religious Education Committee and a part-time paid Director of Religious Education. All members of the congregation are expected to participate in the religious growth and learning of the congregation's children.
Volunteers teach and assist in classes, help with special events, make music, address our children during our weekly worship service and serve on our Religious Education Committee.
Volunteer leaders of our religious education classes include Channing members and friends of all backgrounds. This creates a rich, diverse and intergenerational program. Teachers gather as teams and plan for our children cooperatively with the assistance of the Director or Religious Education
The instruction of our classes is informal and activity oriented, providing an environment for students to learn and question while having fun. Curricula are used to provide developmentally appropriate education to our children, and our volunteer teachers are encouraged to use their own experiences and creativity. It is our aim to develop well educated young Unitarian Universalists who can proudly articulate what they believe
How Do I Volunteer?
New adults are ineligible to teach classes for six months while getting to know our community, but there are plenty of other ways to get involved. Call our Religious Education Committee Chairs or Director of Religious Education to find out how you can take part! New families can help with special events, help with worship, make music and/or art and serve on our Religious Education Committee. What talents would you like to share?