Children’s Programming
Welcome to the 2025 -2026 Academic Year!
Greater Nashville UU uses an emergent faith formation space to build community and faith formation with our children and youth. We know that time is a precious resource for parents and volunteers. An emergent faith formation space is a less structured, more experiential approach to spiritual growth that prioritizes relationships, authenticity, and community over traditional curricula and rigid doctrines. These spaces allow for co-creation, collaboration, and opportunities for individuals to explore and "own" their faith in authentic and transformative ways.
Our mission is to support what children and families need:
To belong and feel at home
To have space for play and socializing
To have meaningful and supportive relationships with adults of all ages from young adult mentors to surrogate grandparents
To be in communities that are affirming and accessible for people of all ages with disabilities, along the spectrum of neurodivergence, and with diverse racial, gender, sexual, religious and cultural identities
To have the spiritual lives of children and youth honored and enriched
To have the voices of children and youth heard and respected
To support adults who are parenting or caring for children in these challenging times
To support children in being present as children, including welcoming the noises of babies and the wiggles of children and people of all ages
To support every family member in deepening their UU identity and faith
What does this look like?
On some Sundays we have One-Room Schoolhouse, where we use stories, hands-on activities, and games to build community while practicing our UU values. These Sundays match our monthly Soul Matters theme.
On the 1st Sunday of the month, we have multigenerational, interactive services. Children stay and participate in the service. The Wiggle Room door is also open and children can bring toys, puzzles, and books into the service.
On some Sundays we have Wiggle Room/Playground Sundays staffed by trained CRE volunteers. These Sundays are for community and having free-play.
One-Room Schoolhouse Sundays
Age Range: Elementary (~Pre-K to 6th) with Teen helpers
Fall Dates: September 21, September 28, October 26, November 16, November 23, December 14, and December 21.
Meeting Location: Either Fellowship Hall or 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 to 12:15)
Facilitators: Tina C., Kristin R., Gabby D.
This year, our Children’s Religious Education program is using the Soul Matters Religious Education (RE) Packets, a flexible and engaging curriculum designed for Unitarian Universalist congregations.
Each month (September–June), we’ll explore a new theme filled with:
Meaningful stories from diverse voices and traditions
Hands-on games, crafts, and activities
Embodied chalice lightings and extinguishings
Videos, experiential learning, and creative projects
Rather than rigid, step-by-step lesson plans, the curriculum offers a “building block” approach. This gives us the flexibility to choose from a wide variety of stories, games, and activities that best fit our children and church culture.
The curriculum is intentionally created with anti-racist, anti-oppression, and multicultural (ARAOMC) perspectives woven throughout, ensuring that our children learn in ways that reflect our UU values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Our One-Room Schoolhouse is a place where kids learn, play, and grow together, rooted in our monthly themes.
1st Sunday of the Month: Multigenerational Service Sundays
On the first Sunday of the month, children stay in the service with their parents for an inter-active multigenerational service. These services are designed for multiple age ranges. The Wiggle Room will be available, if needed, with parent supervision required.
Fall Dates: September 7, October 5, November 2, December 7
For more information: Contact Kristin R.
Wiggle Room Sundays
Once a month the Wiggle Room will be staffed by two trained Children’s RE volunteers. There isn’t a lesson on these days; we will have free play, either in the Wiggle Room or the playground.
Fall Dates with Supervision Provided: September 14, October 12, November 9, and December 28
Wiggle Room Aids: Gina A., Susan M. , Caren S-S
Fall Dates with Parent Supervision: November 30, December 28