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Our 13 to 18 year-old teenagers (Open Minds) are investigating the “Thinking the Web” curriculum, which facilitates discussions of societal issues for values clarification. Our Teens hosted a Conference (CON) on November 9-11, 2007 for all Florida YRUU Teens. This weekend, May 9-10, marks the kick off for The 30 Hour Famine to help feed and care for children in poverty-afflicted countries around the globe. The Youth-Led Sanctuary Service is currently scheduled for June 15th. Please join us for these and other activities, both for social action and just for fUUn!


Our 7 to 12 year old children (Helping Hands) are exploring the “In Our Hands” curriculum, which emphasizes peace and justice and how to promote these ideals within themselves and the world around them. This curriculum also is being supplemented by Community Service Sundays and Recreational Rendezvous, so that we are alternating fun, and learning, and social action. (Our Helping Hands visited Pet Rescue, Inc - Miami on March 2nd to deliver the proceeds from their fundraiser and spend time with the animals they chose to help).

Our 3 to 6 year old children (Loving Hearts) are discovering the "Celebrating Me and My World" curriculum, which begins by celebrating the wondrous qualities of the children themselves and expands outward to the things and people around them. In addition this year, we have scheduled monthly field trips ("Church Out"), so that environmentally enriching places will be incorporated into the curriculum. We suspect that the caregivers who accompany the children will enjoy the outings as well.

CHURCH OUT

Dates           Locations
09/30/07     Vizcaya
10/28/07     Everglades
11/18/07     Tropical Park
12/09/07     Scott Garden
01/27/08     Mattheson Hammock
02/24/08     Cape Florida
03/16/08     Miami Science Museum
04/27/08     Dante Fascell Park
05/11/08     Pinecrest Gardens

We also provide Nursery Care for children ages Newborn to 3yo. Their curriculum includes things like "What do my toes taste like?" and "What happens when I empty all of these toys onto the floor?" It's very interesting ;)

As part of our curricula, we sometimes coordinate with the adult members of the Congregation to attend the opening part of the service. (In May 2008, these will be on 05/11, 05/18, and 05/25). When not participating in the Sanctuary Service, our children and youth attend a Children’s Chapel Ceremony in the RE Building. (In May 2008, this will be on 05/04).