Program Overview
As we emerge from this pandemic, many aspects of church life are going to look different than they did pre pandemic, F.F.D. included. Many of our children and youth have not had regular contact with First Church people or programming since the pandemic began. Therefore, as we move into 2022, F.F.D. will be taking all programming back to square one, focusing on stage one and two of our core truths. To this end, we’ll be dividing the children and youth into large age groupings on Sunday morning for as long as it is safe. At this moment, these age groupings are...- Wee Ones (Infant through Preschool);
- Elementary (Kindergarten through 5th Grade);
- Youth (6th through 12th Grade).
The F.F.D. team and I know, these changes may be difficult to navigate. We appreciate you bearing with us as we try to find our way out of this pandemic. But, please, if ever you have a concern or suggestion, reach out. As always, I welcome your feedback!
Now, here's a bit more information on what is in store for F.F.D. programming moving into 2022...
Sunday Morning
VIP at Your Seat
As long as the sanctuary remains open, infants, children, and youth are invited to attend with their parents / guardians. Our VIP Lounge for Very Inquisitive People will not be set up during this time. But, we will be offering VIP at your Seat. Outside the sanctuary you will find one of our VIP shelves with grab-n-go worship trays. Worship tray activities range from finger labyrinths, to color stacking rings, to tangram mandalas - in short, there is something for everyone (even our youngest parishioners)!
Wee Ones
Ms. Amber is looking forward to welcoming back our wee ones! Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are invited to join her every Sunday morning for self-directed discovery. Her room is just bursting with books, blocks, and boundless love!
Elementary
Ms. Kymm is excited to get back into the routine of it! Children in Kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to join her throughout December for a DIY Gift workshop. Then, come January, settle in with some CartUUns - explore our Unitarian Universalist values through Disney and Pixar shorts! Each class contains a short opening, a time to share joys and sorrows, a video, discussion, and an activity.
Youth
Mr. Stephen is ready! Youth in 6th through 12th grade are invited to join him every Sunday for visits to UUville - a place where all residents are UU. This fun, gamified, curriculum focuses on question of covenant and living our values in the world.
Beyond Sunday Morning
Youth Group Outings
Both the Junior High and the Senior High youth plan outings once a month. Typically, the Senior High outing is scheduled for the 4th Sunday of each month, after the service, while the Junior High date and time remains variable. Youth, parents and guardians should see future emails for more information.
Beyond Programming
As we know that not all of our families have the time or energy to engage in special programming, we offer adjunct events and resources throughout the year. Here is an overview of some of those offerings...Intergenerational Services
While people of all ages are welcome to attend worship, at least three times throughout the year, the worship team collaborates to bring you worship designed specifically for the whole family.
Rites of Passages Events / Ceremonies
At the end of the year we spend an entire month celebrating those students who have mastered one core truth, and will be bridging to the next class come fall. Dates and details about these events / ceremonies will be sent out to parents in the spring.
Other Special Ceremonies
To honor other significant life events, and the commitment of our volunteers, we hold special ceremonies of recognition and celebration throughout the year. One such offering is our child dedications.
Other Special Events
The Family Faith Development Committee, in collaboration with other ministries within the congregation, sponsors several special events through-out the year — this year, we are already looking forward to Breakfast with Santa (May Be Virtual). Information about these special events can be found on Family Faith Development's home page throughout the year.
F.F.D. Library
We are lucky to have both a physical and virtual library. F.F.D.'s physical library can be accessed every Sunday morning. It is located on the second floor landing. The virtual library is powered by Epic!. To gain access this fabulous resources, which includes hundreds of ebooks for children 0 - 13 years of age, including curated reading lists centered on our 7 principles, mental health, and social justice issues, just This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Ms. Meredith. We hope, over the coming months, you will find this to be a helpful resource!
Krista Taylor brought a wide range of experiences to her intervention specialist/co-teaching position at Gamble Montessori in the Cincinnati Public Schools. Her dedication to co-teaching and inclusion have helped Gamble develop an approach that captures the spirit of Montessori education. In 2015 she earned regional acclaim when, after being awarded the Hawkins Educator of the Year award for Cincinnati Public Schools, she gave her entire $10,000 winnings to the Gamble Foundation to assist students in attending field experiences. She has presented at conferences for the Ohio Council of the International Reading Association, the Cincinnati Montessori Society, and the Ohio Montessori Alliance, and she is an assistant in CMSTEP, the Cincinnati Montessori Secondary Teachers Education Program. 2017 is her 13th year of teaching.