Youth Programs at Interfaith UNITY Church

YOUTH DINNER

followed by

Yoga, Music,

Arts & Crafts

Tuesdays

6:00-8:00 PM

Youth Ministry curriculum-based classes are held for children and youth through age 18, at the 10:30am service.

Although these classes are divided according to age or school grade, each child's emotional maturity is taken into account when advancing him or her to the next level.

Program Overview

Focus by Age Group

Guidelines for Parents & Children

Dealing with Rebellion

Interfaith UNITY Church is strongly committed to providing a safe, loving family for all who enter our CommUNITY.

We honor the sanctity of all families, and we teach the equality of treatment for everyone regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Program Overview

Children under the age of 12 are expected to either attend class or be accompanied by their parents in the sanctuary during services.

DUE TO INSURANCE REGULATIONS, NO CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 12 MUST BE LEFT ANYWHERE ELSE WITHOUT THE SUPERVISION OF AN ADULT.

Guidelines for Parents & Children

UniTots (infants - 4 years)

The youngest representatives of our Youth Ministry are provided with a safe, nurturing environment while you attend Sunday services. They have a generous supply of infant and toddler equipment and activities for learning, play and comfort. UniTots is staffed with loving and experienced teachers who are here on a regular basis. Parents are asked to provide diapers, wipes, juice cups and/or bottles for their own child. UniTots provides a small snack (crackers, animal cookies, juice), but we ask that you bring your own if your child has special dietary needs.

Kindergarten - 2nd grade

The main focus is on reinforcing the idea that God is within us, around us, everywhere present and loves us unconditionally. This is done through music, movement and stories. The children also learn Unity's Prayer of Protection, the Peace song, the five principles of Unity and about other religions, and values.

The main focus is establishing a very basic understanding of prayer and our basic Unity principles. The practice of meditation, and the beginnings of metaphysical interpretation are introduced as well the 12 Powers. Also incorporated are discussions about the history of Unity, other religions, and values.

Uniteens (6th - 8th grade)

The focus is on giving students the opportunity to be spiritually enlightened, encouraged, strengthened and empowered via group discussions, activities and projects. Classes focus on the many challenging issues that exist during one of the most difficult stages in life. Topics such as peer pressure, school difficulties, etc., are brought up during weekly check-ins. Group follow-up discussions provide an avenue to develop spiritual problem solving and social skills. Unity's spiritual principles are applied to feedback and the class ends with a meditation. Class outings and service projects with adult sponsors are also highlights.

Y.O.U. (high school)

Y.O.U. (Youth of Unity) provides an opportunity and safe place for teenagers to meet other teenagers seeking their own spiritual path. The group provides an unbiased environment in which they may share their feelings toward any situation, and in which many religions and all aspects of spirituality are covered. In the course of learning and growing, they are allowed the freedom to question and challenge. A weekly lesson, taught is offered, as well as the opportunity to plan and participate in fundraisers and various types of service work. Group Social activities are encouraged. Highlights of the year include attendance at sub-regional, regional and international rallies and conferences.

Focus by Age Group

Service and Volunteer Activities

Social Activities

Regional Rallies & Retreats

Rite of Pasage Ceremonies

Counseling

Tutoring

Homework Circles

Periodic Youth Camps

Our children and youth programs at Interfaith UNITY honor the whole child. Our programs are flexible and offer choices for children and teens to fully express their Spiritual selves within their level of comfort.

The children and adult leaders create experiences, traditions, and curriculum together. There are no right or wrong answers and expression of thought is encouraged.

We use art, drama, meditation, prayer, and discussion to draw out an experience of community between the children, teens, and adults. We follow the 5 Basic Unity Principles and honor all faith traditions.

We are always open to new experiences, new expressions of love and joy, and welcome you and your children

to our CommUNITY.

Many have come to teach

the holiness of God,

But still there is not peace in the world . . .

Many have come to teach

the holiness of man,

And still there is not peace in the world . . .

When many come to teach the holiness of children,

Then there will be peace in the world . . .

~Rabbi Schlomo Carlebach

"There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children.

There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected,

that their welfare is protected,

that their lives are free from fear and want

and that they grow up in peace."

~ Kofi A. Annan

Secretary-General of the United Nations

Interfaith UNITY Church

Tempe Montessori School, 420 S. El Dorado Rd. - Mesa AZ 85202

Church Office 480-593-8798

Interfaith Unity Church

Our Youth

Dealing with Rebellion

Faced with a child (or a person of any age, for that matter) who is angry or rebellious? Consider the guidance from Vimala McClure:

“To discover what my child needed, a deep, yielding receptivity was vital. The temptation is to become more and more rigid, but the more you do, the less you understand. When faced with a child who is testing your resolve, relax and yield ….

“As a parent, the frustration of not knowing how to fill a need that cannot be articulated can be overwhelming. Often we direct the rage that stems from that frustration toward the child, which serves to distance us even further, making it impossible for the child to open up to us. To get to this type of receptivity, a practice of conscious relaxation is a must.”

“Those who have children can become masters of patience, endurance, and steadfastness, because children will test you at every turn. …The way to make our children patient and loving is to be that way ourselves.”

-- Eknath Easwaran

Call out the Children...

By Myrtle Fillmore, co-founder of Unity

Our mission is not to entertain the children, but to call them out. To be always entertained is to be dwarfed and dependent. To be "called out" is to follow the harmonious law of the soul's unfoldment. Who meddles with the rosebud? What fingers are deft enough to pry open that marvel of folded beauty? We are wise enough to leave it alone to follow the glad law of its own unfolding, but our children! Have we dealt as wisely with these buds of marvelous possibilities? Have we always remembered that they, too, must quicken and unfold through the innate law of their own genius?

Myrtle Fillmore

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