Youth Programs
Guided by the teachings of Jesus the Christ, our program strives to remind the children of their divine essence and provide them with opportunities to share their magnificence.
Classes
Classes meet during the service on Sundays and are grouped by grade and adapted to the individual needs of the children.
- 4 years old through kindergarten (Nursery care is available for infants–4 yrs.)
- 1st and 2nd grade
- 3rd through 5th grade
Lessons are based on Unity’s five basic principles:
- The only true power in the Universe is God, and God is good.
- The Christ Spirit is alive in everyone and everything.
- Through the power of God, my thoughts can change my life.
- I can choose to let go of hurtful things. I can choose to think loving thoughts.
- I can talk to God. I can listen to God. I can use the truth I am learning.
Lesson plans are experiential and include music, meditation, laughter, building relationships, conversation, crafts, games, dancing, play-acting, and prayer.Through these media of creative expression, we allow Spirit to express through us, and we experience our divinity as co-creators with God. Curriculum materials are available for anyone who would like further information.
For more information about Rainbow Circles, call the Center office: 952-895-0745.
Born in 2001, Jacqueline Maribel Perez Ramos lives in San Juan Del Obispo in Guatemala. She was able to complete her first year of school in August 2008 with the help of Unity of the Valley’s sponsorship.
Our Rainbow Circles children learn about Common Hope, Guatemala, and Jacqueline and periodically write letters and draw pictures for Jacqueline, which we send through Common Hope. In turn, she writes back about two times each year.
With Unity of the Valley’s sponsorship, Jacqueline’s mother, father, four brothers and two sisters have received medical and dental care, education, clothing, and school supplies.
Unity of the Valley Uniteens are youth ages 11–14 in grades 6 –8. We meet on Sunday mornings during the service and at other times to socialize, do service projects, and attend Unitreats.
Uniteens are led by a team of trained and experienced volunteer parents. On Sunday mornings, we use Unity curriculum written to engage Uniteens wherever they are on their individual paths. We practice the spiritual tools of prayer, meditation, affirmations, and sharing from our hearts together in a safe and loving space.
For more information about the Uniteens, call the Center office: 952-895-0745.
Uniteen events have included packaging food at Feed My Starving children, presenting the 12 Powers candle-lighting service, teaching Rainbow Circles classes, hosting lunch fundraisers, a sliding and skating party, rock climbing and swimming at Dakotah Fitness, camping overnight, having a lock-in at our spiritual center, and hosting other Twin Cities Uniteens for a dance. We attend the Fall Unitreat in Illinois and Spring Unitreat in Michigan. Held for all Uniteens and their leaders from our Great Lakes Unity Region, Unitreats are weekend events where we experience spiritual growth and create friendships.
The Y.O.U. includes youth ages 15–18.
The group is led by three sponsors from the congregation and meets at the Center on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m.
For more information about the Y.O.U., call the Center office: 952-895-0745.
In Y.O.U., we sing, meditate, have lessons, and take time to get to know one another and become friends. We grow spiritually through reading, discussion, activities, service projects, meditations, games, and more. We learn about and practice prayer and affirmations. We encourage questions and enjoy varied and deep conversation. We realize that we choose our spiritual beliefs, and this is often the time that we begin to truly form our own. We believe that acceptance and non-judgment are important, and we practice those qualities with one another, creating a safe and sacred space.
We attend two regional retreats per year, in June and October, and one sub-regional rally in April to connect with other Y.O.U. teens from the Great Lakes Region. At our retreats, we experience connection, compassion, and love, and we make lifelong friends.
