Nursery

The Hopedale Unitarian Parish offers tender, loving, care in its nursery each Sunday morning during Church Services. Babies and toddlers up to age 3 are generally at play on Sunday Mornings. NOTE: Children 3 and up are eagerly accepted into our Spirit Play Class, which is PreK-Grade 1. Parents are supported in making the decision on whether their 3-year-old is ready for the class or should remain in the Nursery. The nursery is staffed with two people each Sunday. 

Children’s Classes at Hopedale Unitarian Parish

Our Children’s Classes for the 2009-2010 Church Year will be exploring World Religions and Social Justice/Action. 

Chalice Children (Pre-K to Grade 1)

Our modified Spirit Play classroom is designed for our youngest scholars. Their Sunday ritual follows:

• Welcoming into the Classroom
• Story Circle (includes story and discussion)
• Work (includes arts & crafts, retelling of this Sunday’s story or a previous story), and other activities, as appropriate.
• Closing Ritual

 In Spirit Play, the story is told with manipulatives to provide a visual story, as well as auditory. Children in this classroom are encouraged to wonder about the BIG questions. 

Keepers of the Flame Class (Grade 2-5)

Our Keepers’ Class is a very active class. This group follows a curriculum that normally creates the following ritual:

• Chalice Lighting Ritual
• Story
• Activity
• Closing Ritual