The Mission of Children and Youth Ministries

We, the members of the Children and Youth Ministries committee, pledge our commitment to building and sustaining a loving and spiritual community for the children and youth of First Parish. Our mission is to continue to explore and create innovative ways to promote our UU values to our children and youth. We promise to provide support and resources to parents and adults who volunteer and mentor our children and youth. We affirm that both the children and the youth of First Parish have a unique ministry of their own to share. We will continue to ask for their opinions and listen to their voices. We promise to incorporate their energy and ideas into all our CYM programming, whenever possible.

Our vision for the children and youth participating in all our programming is to foster:

• Deeper Respect for oneself, and all of humanity,
• An understanding of the importance of both giving and receiving Love in our lives,
• The quest for Truth by personally examining the truth about ourselves and our relationships with others,
• Recognition of the value and importance of giving Service to others and to the larger global community,
• A deeper relationship to and appreciation for the Sacredness of Life.

Kathy Cronin, Director of Children and Youth Ministries

Carol Chichetto, Youth Advisor

View the CYM Prospectus for 2007 - 2008

Click here.

Schedule:

9:00 AM Sunday mornings

News: May, 2008

Children and Youth Group Dedication: Sunday, June 1^st. The CYM program and First Parish Ministers are offering an opportunity for any FPB children /youth to be dedicated in a group ceremony at the CYM closing service  on Sunday, June 1^st.
Part of how we are woven together as a UU community is by making a shared commitment to the spiritual growth of our children and youth.  Those families who have children/youth who would like to be part of this group dedication are asked to sign up by May 18^th. There is a signup sheet at the welcome desk or you can call or email the CYM office. 508 896 9290, Kathy.fpb@verizon.net

Registration for all CYM programming for 2008/2009 will be happening during the month of May. Please pick up a registration packet at the Welcome Desk. All children/teens participating in the CYM program must re-register.

CYM program leader recruitment has begun for the 2008/2009 CYM program.
We will need teaching teams for all classes. You do not have to be a parent to participate in this program and it is preferred that parents do not volunteer to teach in their children's classes. We will need teaching teams for the following groups: 3-4year old, Kindergarten/First Grade, Second/third Grade, 4^th/5^th Grade
6^th grade, 7^th grade Sunday PM, Senior High Youth Group Advisors Sunday PM.
Please contact Kathy Cronin or any CYM committee member for details.
508 896 9290, kathy.fpb@verizon.net, CYM chair: Denise Litz-Walters.
CYM committee members: Jen Reif, Cindy Wood, Janet Albahari, Lauren Elliott-Grunes

Social Justice has been chosen as the theme topic for the 2008/2009 CYM  program. We are seeking congregation members to step into action by informing and walking with our children on the path of justice. If you are interested contact CYM director, Kathy Cronin or any of the above CYM committee members.

There has been a change of dates for assorted CYM related worship services:  The CYM closing service will be on Sunday, June 1^st. The Coming of Age/OWL service will be on Sunday, June 8^th at 9:00 and the Senior High Youth will lead the service at 11:00.

CYM art room is in need of clean mayonnaise jars all sizes with their lids. We also need a good, working electric pencil sharpener.

CYM closing service, on Sunday, June 1^st, will include an original Family Homily presented by our 3^rd/4^th grade and our 5^th graders will be assisting with the service and music. Parents are needed to assist in a special hospitality that morning after the service. Please email or call if you can bring in some goodies or help to set up.

There will be no CYM programming AM or PM, on Sunday, May 25^th. Childcare for children 3 or under will be provided.   

Volunteering in the CYM Program

The CYM program is a volunteer cooperative program.  Parents are asked to serve as a class parents or substitutes in their children's classes.  Please notify your child' program guides about your availability to help out occasionally in the CYM program.  Family Volunteer Committee forms will be distributed to all families during the month of October.  They will be sent by email and through the US mail for those without email.  All forms are to be returned by the end of October.

2007/2008 Program Guides

Sunday AM program guides:  Dave Billings, McKenna Armstrong and Carl Freeman: Nursery Childcare providers Ariel Armstrong and Nancy Kirchner/Preschool
Scott McLane and Pam Alexander/ Kindergarten through Second Grade
Janet Albahari and Sandra Hemeon-McMahon, Third and Fourth
Dawn Walnut/ Deer Sullivan, Fifth Grade
Fred Walters/Gisele Gauthier/ Sixth Grade

Sunday PM Program guides:
Carol Chichetto and Pat Gubbins in 8th grade OWL
Cheri Armstrong and Dan Putnam in 9th grade Coming of Age
Sean Sheehan, Lynn Mumma, Erik Wikstrom, Mark Kirkpatrick, (This team is still evolving.)

Barn dismissal time:

Third through Sixth grade classes are not dismissed until 10:30.  Parents must be at the front of the church or in the Parish Room to receive their children.

Attendance

All families are encouraged to make an effort to bring their children to church each Sunday.  The more consistent a family is in their attendance the better your child/children will acclimate to their program guides and their peers.  Obviously circumstances arise that keep families from attending 100%, however, the more consistency the more the children will truly feel a part of the First Parish Community.

Sunday, Columbus Day Weekend

There will be no regular classes on Sunday 10/7, however, Kathy Cronin will be facilitating a weaving workshop with those children who do attend.  There will be NO PM classes on 10/7.

Volunteering in the CYM Program

The CYM program is a volunteer cooperative program.  Parents are asked to serve as a class parents or substitutes in their children's classes.  Please notify your child' program guides about your availability to help out occasionally in the CYM program.  Family Volunteer Committee forms will be distributed to all families during the month of October.  They will be sent by email and through the US mail for those without email.  All forms are to be returned by the end of October.

2007/2008 Program Guides

Sunday AM program guides:  Dave Billings, McKenna Armstrong and Carl Freeman: Nursery Childcare providers Ariel Armstrong and Nancy Kirchner/Preschool
Scott McLane and Pam Alexander/ Kindergarten through Second Grade
Janet Albahari and Sandra Hemeon-McMahon, Third and Fourth
Dawn Walnut/ Deer Sullivan, Fifth Grade
Fred Walters/Gisele Gauthier/ Sixth Grade

Sunday PM Program guides:
Carol Chichetto and Pat Gubbins in 8th grade OWL
Cheri Armstrong and Dan Putnam in 9th grade Coming of Age
Sean Sheehan, Lynn Mumma, Erik Wikstrom, Mark Kirkpatrick, (This team is still evolving.)

Contact:

• Kathy Cronin, CYM Director
  • 508-896-9290
  • email: Kathy.fpb@verizon.net

   

• Mary Dumont, Administrator
  508-896-5577
  

CYM Committee Members

• Kathy Cronin, CYM director
• Carol Chichetto: Youth advisor
• Dawn Walnut
• Kathy Reilly
• Janet Albahari
• Denise Litz-Walters
• Bryony Muniz