At United Church we take seriously our promise to nurture children in the Christian faith. One of the main ways we live out this promise is through our Sunday School program. We strive to provide a welcoming, caring community in which children learn that they are loved by God and are called by God to follow the way of Jesus. 

We offer separate classes for children ages three through third grade, and a combined fourth/fifth grade class; our seven classes are led by teacher teams of at least three volunteers. Our sessions center on significant stories from the Old and New Testaments, as presented by the Rock Solid curriculum (iamrocksolid.com).  Parents can stay engaged in and informed about their child’s Sunday School experience by reviewing the weekly take-home flyer.

Each Sunday we invite children to bring in an offering - sometimes money and sometimes a special offering such as canned goods for our ministry with the homeless and working poor or items for Church World Service hygiene kits. 

Sunday School begins in mid-September and is held most Sundays through mid-May.

Click here for our Sunday School Registration Form.

Worship is the central act of Christian community. As children mature, we offer them opportunities to learn how to be full participants in this most important gathering of the week. The Board of Children’s Ministries partners with parents to provide encouragement and instruction as children transition into attendance at full-length services. Examples of worship education include:

• Worship bags for younger and older children at every service
• A selection of Bibles and Bible storybooks at every service
• A children’s message or component during most services
• Children’s Church, during the Church School hour, periodically throughout the year
• Worship education programs during the all-church Wednesday evening series
• Special sessions on worship education for younger elementary-age children as they transition out of Nursery
• Occasional workshops related to the seasons of the church year

We encourage families to worship together, thus we welcome babies and toddlers into our sanctuary.  Rocking chairs are available in the back of the sanctuary, so that parents may hold their young ones comfortably during our worship services. Parents and babies are also welcome to use our Family Parlor, where parents are able to hear the service while tending to the needs of their child.  We also provide Nursery care throughout Sunday morning (see our child care page for more infomation).

Throughout the year, the Board of Children’s Ministries sponsors a variety of programs for parents and families. Examples include the weekly Faith and Family Class, held during the Church School hour; Advent-wreathmaking workshop; the Giving Tree (a Christmas giving opportunity); Wednesday evening programs. Our fall retreat to Blowing Rock and our spring retreat to Sunset Beach, organized by the Board of Fellowship, also provide wonderful ways for church families to get to know one another.

Secret Pals

Sponsored by the 4th and 5th grade Sunday School class, this activity fosters relationships between children and adults in the church. Adult pals, recruited in early January, exchange letters with the students for a 6-week period. During this time, both adults and children know each other only by their secret “code” names. True identities are revealed during the culminating activity, a special “Pals” party.

Vacation Bible School

Each summer the Board of Children's Ministries organizes a VBS experience for UCCH children and friends. Held on four consecutive mid-summer Sunday mornings, our program is open to children ages three through fifth grade. Each week we learn Bible stories, participate in educational crafts and discussions, and sing songs related to the theme of the year.

Our 2011 Vacation Bible School theme was "Sea and Sky:  God’s Creation Above and Below."  More than ninety children ages 3 through rising 6th grade joined us for stories, crafts and songs about the stars above and the creatures below the sea.

For the youngest children: Each week at the beginning of Sunday School, the children in the 3s and 4s classes enjoy learning church songs with long-time volunteer Paige Barnett.

For 1-5 Graders: Children’s Choir rehearses each Sunday during the 8:45 worship service. Choir members attend worship until approximately 9:10 and then leave the sanctuary with Paige. Rehearsals end by 10, so that children can move on to Sunday School. The Children’s Choir sings during worship on a regular basis throughout the year and occasionally performs church musicals.

Click here for the 2010-2011 Children's Choir schedule.

On March 21, 2010, the United Church Children's Choir presented:

I WITNESS NEWS: LIVE FROM JERICHO
A musical with GOOD NEWS about GOD'S Provision and Faithfulness
created by Peter and Hanneke Jacobs

We are happy to provide care for babies, toddlers and early elementary-age children throughout our Sunday morning worship services and Christian Education programs. Our nursery is staffed by long-time Director Alison Robertson, an Assistant Director, Kim Aponte-Ortiz, and a team of capable attendants.  Both Alison and Kim are professionally trained and accredited child care providers. 

In addition to Sunday mornings, child care is provided on Wednesday evenings during dinners and special programs.

Parents of newborns are welcome to sit in the rocking chairs in our sanctuary, or to comfort their children during services in our Family Parlor.

For more information on our commitment to care for children, please see our safe church policy.

Baptism at United Church of Chapel Hill

The United Church of Christ baptizes babies, children and adults. While we do not believe that people must be baptized in order to be saved, we do believe that baptism, as one of the two sacraments we practice, is a significant passage in one's journey of faith. The pastors welcome inquiries about the meaning of baptism and about discerning an appropriate Sunday to make baptismal promises to an infant or child.

A description of the UCC theology of baptism can be found at:

 http://www.ucc.org/worship/baptism

Faith and Family Sunday Morning Discussion Group

The original Faith & Family Class meets most Sundays from 10-10:50 in room 229.  In the fall of 2011 the group will use the book, 99 Ways to Raise Spiritually Healthy Children,  by Kathleen Long Bostrom, to guide its discussions.

Youth Parenting Class, Sunday Mornings at 10:00am (Assembly Hall)

Parenting Class: for parents of Middle & Sr. High Youth

Seasons of the Church Year

At United Church we follow the Revised Common Lectionary and observe the corresponding seasons of the church year. You may download a liturgical calendar here.

Practicing the Promise: Guiding Children Through the Christian Year

TWEEN TIME: A Bridge Program for 5th & 6th Grade Students

We are happy to announce the formation of a new initiative for the 5th and 6th grade students of our church, the working title of which is "Tween Time."

Our hope is that Tween Time will help students transition more smoothly from elementary school to middle school, and from being active in Children's Ministries to participating in the Youth Ministry at UCCH.

We also hope that by sharing in a few experiences throughout the year, the kids will develop closer connections with one another. As these children progress through our program at church, they will increasingly do things together, from worship to retreats and mission trips. Stronger relationships among the members of the group can only make those experiences more meaningful.

Other plans for the year include hosting a meal packaging event for Stop Hunger Now, a group trip to buy gifts for the recipients of our annual Giving Tree Christmas outreach effort, a shoe collection for people in need (through a program called Soles for Souls), a trip to the Ronald McDonald House to volunteer and going out for lunch after church at a local restaurant.

Our first Tween Time event will take place on Sunday, October 10th from 5:00-7:30pm.  We will package 10,000 meals for the Stop Hunger Now program and seek to raise $2500.  Students can start fundraising now!  Parents are invited and encouraged to join us at this exciting event!

Advent Adventure: Dec. 5th- Gift buying for Giving Tree Families

     Students & parents will gather in the youth lounge, at 4:30pm, and divide into teams.  Then the group will proceed to Target where they will purchase gifts for the families & children represented by our Giving Tree at UCCH.  This is a family affair so parents are encouraged to accompany their 5th/6th grader(s).  For more information, please see Jenny Shultz, Susan Steinberg or Denise Sills.     

TWEEN TIME CALENDAR

• Oct. 10th: Service: Stop Hunger Now Meal Packaging Event, 5:00-7:30pm ($5-pizza)
• Dec. 5th: Service: Santa Sprint to Target, 4:30pm-6:00pm (Dinner-6:00-6:30)
• Jan 23: Service: Ronald McDonald House, 4:40pm-6:00pm (Dinner-6:00-6:30)
• Feb 19: Lunch @ the Loop (TBD)
• March-April: Lenten Service Project: Soles for Souls shoe collection
• *Scholarship assistance is available for all programs.

Now enrolling for next school year (2012-2013!).  Please contact the Director, Mary Glish, at mary.glish@gmail.com for more information.

What's new at UCP? In addition to our weekly music classes, our new Environment Education Specialist will visit each class to help the kids start and maintain the preschool garden and conduct other exciting eco-friendly projects. Also, after our successful year of using the Handwriting Without Tears program, we will continue to use this fun, fine-motor skills class next year with all of our 3 and 4 year olds.  UCP is a proud member of the Durham Orange Preschool Association.   

United Church Preschool (UCP) is a high quality early childhood program for children ages 2 to 5. Our preschool is a small, non-profit school with very low child/adult ratios. There are two classes for children who will turn 2 by September 1, a Monday/Wednesday class and a Tuesday/Thursday class. There are two more classes for children who will turn 3 by September 1, a Monday/Wednesday/Friday class and a Tuesday/Thursday/Friday class. Four year olds attend either of these 3 day classes or there is also a separate 4 year old class that meets 5 days a week. School runs from 9-12 p.m. with an option to stay for Lunch Bunch until 1 p.m.

At UCP, your child can …

• Have fun in a warm and nurturing play atmosphere
• Participate in individual and group activities
• Learn to share and gain respect for others
• Get to know and love caring grownups, in classes where the student/teacher ratio is 4.5:1 for younger classes and 7:1 in older classes
• Express themselves through art and explore the creative process
• Enjoy a weekly music and movement class with an experienced children's music teacher
• Strengthen muscles and cooperative spirit through lots of outdoor play
• Learn about science and nature in our new Nature Explorers class
• Experience the fun of activities like singing, dramatic play, cooking, and story time
• Get messy!

Here is what some parents have to say about United Church Preschool

"We love the caring, capable teachers at UCP and the low teacher to student ratios."

"Whenever we drive past United Church, my 2 year old shouts, 'School! School!'. He just loves his school."

"My daughter missed school so much last summer she spent all summer writing cards and drawing pictures to mail to her teachers."

"UCP was the first school experience for both of my boys and I am so grateful to them for giving them such an enriching and caring place to start."

Admission Guidelines

Children must be 2 years old by September 1st for the younger classes and 3 years old by September 1st for the older classes to be considered for enrollment. Members of the United Church of Chapel Hill are given priority for enrollment. (Once a child is admitted to UCP, however, he/she cannot be "bumped" from a spot by church members.) Siblings of currently enrolled children are given next priority. If openings are available, children from the community are admitted.

Applications for enrollment by church members must be made by December 1st of the preceding school year. Please refer to the Parent Handbook for more admission information.

Scholarship funds may be available. Applications can be obtained from the Director.

Fundraising

You can help United Church Preschool earn FREE money!

UCP participates in an Amazon.com fundraising program by which 6% of your purchases (4% for electronics) is donated to UCP. All shoppers need to do is use this special UCP link to link to amazon before starting to shop.  There is no extra fee for the shopper or UCP.  Please use this link to get to Amazon.com and help our fabulous preschool earn free money. 

More information

We invite you to check out our handbook. If you are interested in UCP for your child, please call Mary Glish, our director, at (919) 794-5013.

You will find our 2-page application form at the end of our Parent Handbook. To apply, please print this form, complete it and mail it with the $30 application fee to:
UCP
1321 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Thanks for visiting our site!

All photos compliments of Robin Lin Photography.

At UCCH, we believe that children are a vital part of our community.

We welcome children of all ages into our worship services, and encourage them to participate in many areas of congregational life. Children represent the future of the Christian faith, and we take seriously our responsibility to nurture their growth into mature disciples.

The Associate Pastor and Board of Children’s Ministries oversee all programs for children ages infant-11. Our programs provide a safe and caring environment for children to learn about the love of God in Christ through Bible stories, compassionate community and Christian practices.

We also offer events for the whole family, so that parents and children have opportunities to engage together in faith-centered rituals and celebrations.

For further information about any of these programs, or to volunteer, please contact the Associate Pastor for Children’s Ministries, Reverend Susan Steinberg.