Our vibrant family community is supportive, soulful, and welcoming. We are LGBTQ+ and straight together, partnered and single, and come from a wide range of religious, racial and class backgrounds. Together we create a spiritual community where we share and explore our paths as parents, partners, grandparents, caregivers, and families. We hope you’ll join us at some of our upcoming activities for families. If you are new, here’s some info to help you plan your visit. You can also check The Week Ahead to find out what’s happening each week. We hope you’ll join us!
Please contact Rev. Kathryn Jay at kathryn@uucb.org to request access to the UUCB Families Discuss List.
Activities for Families
Click here for Family Ministry activities calendar
All Ages Worship services are a special time for our community to gather to share story, song, praise, and presence among the generations. Worship engages our minds and hearts and bodies with wisdom from the world’s religions, the words and deeds of prophetic and poetic women and men, experiences of life’s twists and turns, and transcending mystery and wonder.
Children play games on the sanctuary chancel during Parents Night Out.
Families in Action: Our community provides regular opportunities for our families to live out their values. These include serving meals at the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) shelter for homeless families, organizing food drives, Coastal Cleanups, witnessing for immigrant rights, and others.
Parents’ Night Out: Our church community understands that parents sometimes need a quiet moment to rest and rejuvenate. Since 2012, we have provided an evening of free childcare for parents once a month from September through May on third Saturdays. Parents get to know each other during a short discussion about UU values before dispersing to enjoy their own activities. Kids then enjoy time on the playground, do arts and crafts in the Social Hall, enjoy ping pong and foosball in the Chrysalis Room, and watch a UU-values appropriate movie in the Safir Room.
Support for Families
Parent Groups: Parenting is a rewarding and sometimes grueling spiritual practice. We host a twice-monthly Parent Discussion Group to celebrate the joys and acknowledge the challenges of raising children. The Parent Discussion Group meets the first and third Sunday mornings of every month at 9:30.
There is space in the church for parents and children to enjoy quiet moments together.
Childcare: We provide childcare on Sundays year round from 10:30am to 1pm and for some special events. This frees parents to explore adult activities or simply sit quietly overlooking the bay. Our play area is staffed by compassionate and trained staff.
Children and Youth Programs: We support young people and their parents in exploring the spiritual and ethical aspects of life. Our Religious Education classes foster creative discovery and intelligent examination. Youth Activities such as our UUCB Youth Group, “Our Whole Lives” (OWL) classes, and the Coming of Age program provide social connection and challenge youth to examine and articulate their own values and beliefs.
Families Caring: UUCB families come together to support each other in times of need. Meals for new babies and during illnesses, an afternoon of childcare or regular childcare exchange can be coordinated through our Director of Family Ministry.
Pastoral Care for Families: Our Director of Family Ministry, Minister, and Chaplains are always available to hear and support you when you’re in need.
