Worship & Religious Education for All
Starting in 2019, Bradford UU has consolidated our Sunday morning programming to include members and friends of all ages for both worship and religious education. Children are invited to participate in the entirety of worship either with their parents or in the "student section" of the sanctuary for a comprehensive service that includes both worshipful and educational components.
This exciting development in our programming is an opportunity to build community across generations, learn and grow together, and focus staff and volunteer efforts on the entire of the church, not just one age group.
Approximately two Sundays a month will feature a lesson plan-based service complete with activities, small group discussions and in-depth learning about a particular topic that has spiritual and social importance. Two Sundays a month will feature a more traditional worship format with a sermon or homily in addition to an educational opportunity or exercise.
Please review the REVision Task Force report under the Documents section of this website, and refer to the Frequently Asked Questions below for more information about our Sunday morning programming.
This exciting development in our programming is an opportunity to build community across generations, learn and grow together, and focus staff and volunteer efforts on the entire of the church, not just one age group.
Approximately two Sundays a month will feature a lesson plan-based service complete with activities, small group discussions and in-depth learning about a particular topic that has spiritual and social importance. Two Sundays a month will feature a more traditional worship format with a sermon or homily in addition to an educational opportunity or exercise.
Please review the REVision Task Force report under the Documents section of this website, and refer to the Frequently Asked Questions below for more information about our Sunday morning programming.
Religious Education in Worship - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will children be in service every week?
A: Yes, though programming will vary each week, children will be invited to attend the entirety of service every Sunday.
Q: Will nursery care still be available for the little ones?
A: Yes, our nursery facilities and staff will continue to be available for children ages 6 and under.
Q: Will my kids be expected to sit with me?
A: Not necessarily – many families have expressed interest in keeping their children with them in service, but others have indicated a desire to have a “children’s section” of the worship space so kids may sit together with their friends. Either will be acceptable.
Q: Won’t having children in church be a disruption?
A: No, at least not after a while. Most churches that have incorporated children into worship report that after a brief transition period of no more than 4-6 weeks, children get used to being in worship and adults get used to having them as full participants.
Q: Our worship time is so meaningful already, aren’t we changing things too drastically?
A: Though our worship experience has indeed become more consistently meaningful over the years, our religious education program has struggled with low attendance and large volunteer drain. We intend to keep the things that folks like most about worship such as Joys and Concerns and our wonderful music program while adding learning components that will benefit spiritual seekers of all ages.
Q: Does this mean the end of the Religious Education and Worship Arts committees?
A: These two committees have now been combined into the Sunday Morning team which helps determine the themes and content of our experience on Sunday mornings. This team is open to all members and friends and our next meeting will be Tuesday, September 17th at 5:30pm with pizza dinner provided.
Q: What if we don’t like the new format? Will there be opportunity to provide feedback?
A: Yes, staff and the Sunday Morning team will be accepting and reviewing feedback provided in the Suggestion Box in the rear of the sanctuary.
Q: Do I still have to register my children?
A: Yes, we still need a record of all of our child participants to know allergy concerns, special needs and permission for published photographs.
A: Yes, though programming will vary each week, children will be invited to attend the entirety of service every Sunday.
Q: Will nursery care still be available for the little ones?
A: Yes, our nursery facilities and staff will continue to be available for children ages 6 and under.
Q: Will my kids be expected to sit with me?
A: Not necessarily – many families have expressed interest in keeping their children with them in service, but others have indicated a desire to have a “children’s section” of the worship space so kids may sit together with their friends. Either will be acceptable.
Q: Won’t having children in church be a disruption?
A: No, at least not after a while. Most churches that have incorporated children into worship report that after a brief transition period of no more than 4-6 weeks, children get used to being in worship and adults get used to having them as full participants.
Q: Our worship time is so meaningful already, aren’t we changing things too drastically?
A: Though our worship experience has indeed become more consistently meaningful over the years, our religious education program has struggled with low attendance and large volunteer drain. We intend to keep the things that folks like most about worship such as Joys and Concerns and our wonderful music program while adding learning components that will benefit spiritual seekers of all ages.
Q: Does this mean the end of the Religious Education and Worship Arts committees?
A: These two committees have now been combined into the Sunday Morning team which helps determine the themes and content of our experience on Sunday mornings. This team is open to all members and friends and our next meeting will be Tuesday, September 17th at 5:30pm with pizza dinner provided.
Q: What if we don’t like the new format? Will there be opportunity to provide feedback?
A: Yes, staff and the Sunday Morning team will be accepting and reviewing feedback provided in the Suggestion Box in the rear of the sanctuary.
Q: Do I still have to register my children?
A: Yes, we still need a record of all of our child participants to know allergy concerns, special needs and permission for published photographs.
