University UMC Children & Family Ministry Newsletter
Fall 2015

Greetings Families and Friends of University UMC,

Welcome to our new and improved Children & Family Newsletter! Below you will find the top three gatherings coming up as well as a list of recurring events and our Godly Play schedule. There is something for everyone to help grow in your faith and connect you more deeply to our church community. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Peace & Hugs,

Natasha Ulack
Children's Ministry Director
natashaulack@gmail.com
512-478-9387 ext. 221

Sunday School Kick Off
Sun. Aug. 23

Sunday School Kick-Off

Celebrate the back-to-school season at University UMC as we begin a new year of Sunday School for children. Gather in the Sanctuary at 9:45 am as we sing together and share events for the upcoming year. Parents can enjoy a light brunch in the courtyard and fill out a brief registration form while the children head upstairs to hear the story of "The Light" in their Godly Play classroom.

Blessing of the Backpacks

At our 11 am Sanctuary worship service, children are invited to come forward for a special blessing of their backpacks. On this day, we'll also collect school supplies for Austin-area children in need. You may drop off your gifts of backpacks, notebooks, loose-leaf paper, pens, pencils and other supplies in our white UUMC collection bins located in the Sanctuary lobbies

Clothes Swap
Sun. Aug. 23, Noon, Fellowship Hall

Continuing our Lent & Vacation Church Camp theme, UUMC is hosting its first Clothes Swap! Recycle your threads at UUMC. Gather unwanted but gently used clothing, shoes and accessories and bring it to swap with others from our community. Adult sizes, kid sizes and baby sizes are all welcome. Any items left over after the swap will be donated to our Fig Leaf clothing ministry.

Wesley Choir Kick Off
Sun. Aug. 30, After Children's Time, Choir Room

All second through fifth graders are welcome to come share their voices as part of the UUMC Wesley Choir. Wesley Choir meets in the choir room weekly after children's time. The children learn about music and how to be young worship leaders in our church. The children sing in the service two or three times a semester. For more details contact our Children's Choir Director Cynthia DePrang.

Wednesdays with Wee Ones

Calling all stay at home parents & children. Join some fabulous UUMC families for playing and connecting in the fresh air! Please R.S.V.P. to Natasha Ulack if you can join us or would like to carpool.

Sept. 9/10:15-12:15/Eastwoods Splash Pad
Oct. 14/10:15-12:15/Ramsey Park
Nov. 11/10:15-12:15/Northwest Park

Tween Time

Fourth and Fifth graders are invited to Tween Time at UUMC. These older children meet the first Sunday of every month right after church in the courtyard. These two hours will be spent getting to know each other, exploring secular music with religious themes, playing games and eating lunch.

Sundays, 12:15-2:15 pm

Sept. 6

Oct. 4

Dad's Night Out

Join fellow dads for a night out catching up and getting to know new and seasoned UUMC dads better in the relaxed environment. Contact Chris Ulack to R.S.V.P.

Fri. Sept. 18/7:30/Haymaker

Fri. Nov. 20/7:30/The Draught House

Fri. Jan. 15 /7:30/Radio Coffee & Beer

Moms Night Out

Calling on all moms! Come join us for a night to get to know the fabulous women around UUMC & UUMC-ECC. Share stories, laugh and relax. Please RSVP to Natasha Ulack so we can make reservations.

Oct. 16/7:30/Olive & June (Upstairs)

Dec. 18/7:30/Hopfields

Feb. 19/7:30/The Peached Tortilla

Parents Night Out

Parents Night Out is for children 8 months to 10 years old. The cost is $12 for one child, $6 for siblings and $24 for families of 3 or more. Click here to download and print a registration form. Spaces fill quickly so get yours in now! Forms must be in by the Sunday before PNO.

Saturdays, 4:30 to 8:30 pm

Sept. 19

Oct. 24

Little Ones Pot Luck

Families with children under the age of five join us for a pot luck. We meet the second Sunday every other month to get to know fellow families with young children at UUMC. For more the location address or to be added to the Young Ones yahoo group, contact Kiersten Dube.

Sundays, 4 to 6 pm

Sept. 13 at The Prevost's House

Nov. 8 at The Dube's House

Godly Play at UUMC

Click here for our 2015 Godly Play story calendar
This Montessori-based Sunday school program for children 2 years old through 5th grade is held on the 3rd floor from 9:45-10:45 every Sunday throughout the year. Godly Play is based upon the recognition that children have an innate sense of the presence of God. All they lack is the appropriate language to help them identify and express it so it can be explored and strengthened. The Godly Play approach teaches classical Christian language in a way that enhances the child's authentic experience of God so it can contribute to the creative life of the child and the world.