We are all flames. 

When we gather hand in hand in our church,

our community, and our home.

We inspire, we celebrate, we come together

Sharing our light of hope for our shared future.

—By UU children Josh, Prudence, and Percival Roburn

(Shared Light-Shared Future)

Young Children's Activities

Supervised play and age-appropriate UU activities for nursery and young children aged six and younger by August 1, 2024 (usually 1st grade & younger) are available during the 9:45 worship service most Sundays beginning September 8, 2024.

For children aged three (3) and younger, the nursery is full of books, toys, music, and fun during the 9:45 service beginning September 8, 2024. Supervision and care are provided by Eliot staff members and volunteer leaders beginning at 9:30 on Sunday morning.   

The nursery is also open during the 11:15 worship service beginning September 8 for childcare for children aged five (5) and younger.

Most worship services are livestreamed on the large television in Adams Hall. Parents & caregivers who wish to view the service and remain with their children in an area with freedom of movement are welcome to use Adams Hall.

Chalice Children, Eliot’s young children’s class, meets most Sundays September-May and is designed to provide an introduction to Unitarian Universalism for young children aged four through six (4-6) by August 1, 2024 (usually kindergarten, 1st grade, and older preschool children). Chalice Children will meet during the 9:45 service beginning September 8, 2024.

Chalice Children gatherings are led by staff and volunteer leaders and include free play, stories, and activities from Unitarian Universalist curricula for young children, including Chalice Children, Soul Matters, UU Tapestry of Faith Children’s Programs, and Rainbow Connection. These curricula provide age-appropriate introductions to UU values, principles, identity, heritage, and spirituality. When weather and staffing permit, a portion of the time may be spent on the Eliot Chapel Nursery School Playground or doing outdoor activities, especially during the early fall and spring months.

Chalice Children is designed primarily with children ages four, five, and six (by August 1, 2024) in mind, most of whom will be in older preschool, kindergarten, and 1st grade during the 2024-25 school year. Activities are open to children slightly younger and slightly older at their family's discretion.

Note:  During the fall semester of 2024-25, children in kindergarten and 1st grade will have an opportunity to participate in the Our Whole Lives (OWL) sexuality education program.  OWL requires a separate advance registration and is only open to families who are registered and participating in the Religious Education (RE) program and wider church community.  Please contact Scott Stewart at scott@eliotchapel.org for more information about the OWL program.

Note: Classes and age groups may be combined or rearranged at any time based on enrollment, attendance, and availability of volunteers and staff. All classes, regardless of the ages, are required to have two adults present at all times in accordance with Eliot’s Safe Congregation Policy.

Getting Involved

For more information about the young children’s program, or to learn more about how to get involved, contact Scott Stewart at scott@eliotchapel.org.