Children, Youth & Families

Children, Youth & Families

Welcome to lifelong learning at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia!

Whether you are new to our congregation or have been around for decades, we hope that your family will check out our offerings and consider becoming part of our community. This year, our classes are alive with curiosity, exploration, and community building with a special emphasis on embodied activities. From Sunday morning classes, to middle school youth group, to our annual Christmas Pageant to Our Whole Lives (OWL) sexuality education, we hope to warmly welcome your family into our classrooms.

If you have questions about programming for children, youth, and families, connect with staff member Kelli Danaker: Kelli@uucolumbia.net.

children & families news updates

Stay up-to-date with what’s going on at UUCC for families, children, and youth by viewing UUCC’s latest news.


sunday morning religious education | ages 4-11

🗓️ During the 10am service

Our Sunday morning religious education (RE) classrooms are alive this year (September 2023 – May 2024) with curiosity, exploration, and community building. We warmly invite kids ages 4-11 to gather with us on Sunday mornings in Room 150 downstairs as we welcome a weekly guest from our congregation who will share with our kids about their careers, hobbies, and passions. Together we will seek, ask questions, and engage in embodied activities to deepen our learning. We will also spend time in our nourishing garden and labyrinth and make time for free play.

REGISTER for sunday morning classes

sunday morning nursery care | crawlers – age 3

🗓️ During the 10am service

Our youngest congregants, crawlers–age 3, are invited to gather on Sunday mornings in our nursery. In a new partnership with Christ United Methodist Church, nursery care will be available downstairs in the Owen Brown Interfaith Center (OBIC) classroom suite.

whatsapp group for parents with young children

We are a community of UUCCers who all share one thing in common: we have young children! Join the conversations about babysitters, hand-me-downs, play dates, and more! Email staff member Hannah Nelson (hannah@uucolumbia.net) to join.

our whole lives (owl) sexuality education | grades 7-9

OWL for grades 7-9 is back! Our Whole Lives (OWL) is sexuality education that fosters informed, responsible, and values-based decisions about sexual health and behavior. We are thrilled to once again offer this important, beloved curriculum. The parent orientation is on Sunday, October 8 and classes will begin on Sunday, October 15. Email Kelli@uucolumbia.net if you are interested!

drop-in drama series | children & families of all ages

🗓️ dates TBA

Looking for a way to connect with others, to be more comfortable when speaking to a crowd, to bring more play into your life, to increase your awareness? Join Kelli Danaker for a family-friendly interactive exploration of theatre games. Dates TBA.

show and tell workshop

🗓️ Saturday, October 21, 2023, 2-4pm at OBIC

Join staff members Kelli Danaker and Sara Davidson for a Show and Tell Workshop! Congregants of all ages will be invited to bring a personal item tied to an important memory and share about its meaning with the group while we all enjoy a snack potluck.

middle school youth group

🗓️ Sundays, 11:30am in Room 170 downstairs at OBIC

If you’re in 6-8th grade, hang out with us on Sundays from 11:30-12:30pm and be part of UUCC’s new Middle School Youth Group! Join us for conversation, snacks, and be part of deciding how we will spend our time together. Ideas and opinions strongly encouraged. Learn more about UUCC’s middle school youth group

high school youth group

🗓️ Sundays, 11:30am in Room 180 downstairs at OBIC

You are invited to join a weekly gathering of UUCC youth on Sundays. Our time together is some combination of personal check-ins / games / thoughtful discussions / planning youth events / etc. Come build community with other UU teens! Learn more about UUCC’s high school youth group