Unity Church of San Antonio

 Examples of Kid's Church at UCSA:

Sunday, December 11, 2011
It was all hands on deck last Sunday.  We wrapped cookies for delivery to the residents at Pecan Hill Apartments for the Holiday Sharing Party.  Carolers serenaded the party guests along with the music team and others from UCSA.

We also finished up the Ornaments for Hospice. Tom Gates, along with, Mary LeRoy have taken the lead on planning, making, "Cooking" and dropping off of these beautiful ornaments that the children started a couple of weeks ago. Thank you, Tom.

UTots/Toddlers/Nursery had Christmas Story time...'Twas the Night Before Christmas Theme...

Sunday, December 11- more photos...

Sunday, November 27, 2011
UTots coloring bunnies after performing "Runaway Bunny". They also made bunny puppets.





UKids 1 and 2 listen to Tammy Conner and Mary LeRoy read an adaptation of, "Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand".

                              More 11/27/2011 photos




Halloween Fun - photos




Sunday, October 9, we celebrated LOVE.

UTots had story time, "Runaway Bunny," by Margaret Wise Brown, with the message "no mater where we go or what we do, God is always there with us, loving us."
UKids 1 read from the Children's Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 - "Love is..."
UKids 2 read Deuteronomy 6:5-7 and Psalms 18:1-2, with the message that "God is always with you" 

  
Uniteens continued their studies in "Choice and Consequences."
Y.O.U. continued their service projects for the Sacred Service Dinner and The Halloween Party.

       See more photos for 10-9-2011




In September Nicholas Verret, along with youth teacher Gary Glassman and YM Director Louis Nelson rode with the youth from an Austin Unity church to Kingston, OK, to attend the Teen Leadership Conference! They returned with some great ideas to share with our YOUers and Uniteens







_________________
Sunday, October 2,  we concluded our lessons in Uniqueness.
 
Last Sunday UTOTS were with UKids 1. Their discussion was on, "Samuel Hears a Voice", 1 Samuel 3:1-14 from the Lion Storyteller Bible.
 
UKids 2 discussed "The Garden of Gethsemane", Matthew 26:36-45 from the The Children's Illustrated Bible.
 
Uniteens continued their discussion on, "So Many Choices!-See How Choices Benefit or Hurt", from "Choices and Consequences".
 
Y.O.U. worked on various projects for the Sacred Service Dinner and The Halloween Party.
 
With everything happening in YM it is always time for us to stop, take a deep and cleansing breath and release. Pray upon what we have accomplished and look to our future and this goes to everyone involved, from our congregation, board of trustees, sponsors, leaders, teachers, angels and parents(guardians). Thank you for all of your help in getting YM to where it is and where we can go.
 
Hope to see everyone next Sunday...
 
Blessings, Louis                                       

Sunday, July 31  the children participated in saying a heartfelt goodbye to our Music Director, Dana Clark. We made a banner of well wishes and affirmations for her and then enjoyed ice cream.
  See photos                

Sunday, July 24, to continue with the Power of Understanding, we used the Douglas Wood book, "Old Turtle and the Broken Truth", by Douglas Wood.  For a fun activity, we made "Dirt Cups"; teachers, angels and the children worked together for the common goal of yummy goodness.   See photos

Sunday, July 17, for our lesson in the Power of Understanding, we read, "Old Turtle and the Broken Truth", by Douglas Wood. This beautiful story and wonderful watercolor illustrations depict man's "broken truth" and how a little girl seeks understanding and helps heal the world of its problems. The Truth is YOU ARE LOVED.
 
For the activity we played a game, "Searching For Truth" in which the children took turns searching for nerf balls marked, "YOU ARE LOVED," as fellow classmates tried to deceive them.  The searchers listened to the words of the wise "Old Turtle" for guidance in finding the marked balls.

Sundays, July 3 and July 10, the children gained insight into the Power of Understanding with lessons based on the book, If Only I Had a Green Nose, by Max Lucado, a well-known author and minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio.  The story is a tale about children fitting in, being accepted by the crowd; how important it is to be who we were created to be, and why that matters. The activity was "Pass It On." 

Sunday, June 26, we ended June by applying what the children had learned from studying "Imagination," their 12 Powers lesson for June.  The children made a banner for Rev. Linda and displayed it at her eighth anniversary celebration in the CommUNITY Center.  See photos

In Creative Spirit Camp in June, the kids learned drumming. See Drumming photos

Fun, Faith and Family Night!  Sept 3 is a game AND concert: Silver Stars vs Seattle Storm at  Game time is 7:00 pm. Tickets are $20.00/each. Admission includes ticket to game, a voucher for a hot dog, chips and a drink, plus a concert after the game with Christian rock band, Jars of Clay. $2.00 secures your seat. Deadline for full payment is Sunday, July 31, in the Community Center after services. Pick up a flyer/form on events center table and see Louie Nelson, YFM Director. e-mail is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Cell#210 870-0186 or print the form here.

Y.O.U. (Youth of Unity) coming this Fall 2011! We have sponsors to help lead our teenagers, ages 14 to 18.  

UCSA Missions night at the ballpark, May 21 photos

Read about what the children learn on Sundays:    

 

Summary of Sunday, May 22 Lesson:  Last week was a fantastic week in YM. Joanne Burns, Youth and Family Ministry Mentor, helped me understand my role as youth director; to include family director. She also helped me by organizing and prioritizing my time and talents to best suit YM in its current needs and for future expansion.

Here in YM, we are growing and expanding our laurels, "a rolling stone grows no moss", if you will. An, always, growing need is Prayer.  May's power, is POWER. Hence, the      POWER of PRAYER. Sunday, May 22, David Cordova spoke with the children on the Power of Prayer, discussing the finer points of prayer and how profound a gesture can help heal a loved one, or a community.  As EarthCare team leader, David also discussed how YM can participate, and do our part, in helping our community be user-friendly in this recycling world.        

Summary of Sunday, May 15 Lesson: With Power being the 12-Powers focus for May, we presented the power of music! Giles Whitsett, with over 30 years of expertise and love of music, was our music guest.  The children sang and danced, experiencing the power of music. Their activity was "What's the Buzz" and they created a noisemaker that sounds eerily like a bee or bees.
See more Power of Music photos

Summary of Sunday, May 8 Lesson: To honor Mother's Day and as begin the study of Power for May, children were led in a discussion of Nikki Grimes' book, "At Break of Day."  The book evolves around the power we have within us and how we can make our own world beautiful.


    Easter Egg Hunt photos, Sunday, April 24


Summary of the lesson, Sunday, April 17, Palm Sunday:

Palm Sunday.  “Where upon Jesus enter the town of Jerusalem.” This is a pivotal time in Jesus' life. He is about to be tempted in the garden of Gethsemane. "My Father, if it not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." Matthew 26:42
Sunday’s lesson was from the Season of Peace and Non-violence. As we finished up our observance of it, it was only fitting to focus our hearts and minds on Jesus.
- We read "Jesus Enters the Town of Jerusalem" from the Children's Bible.
- We will then focused on the questions relating Jesus’ trial to their lives with these questions:
   What are some times when you don’t feel like you have a choice?   
   In these cases, what is your choice?
         (led children into discussing faces situations with resistance or willingly)       
  Tell about a time you did something because it was the right thing to do.
Then to make our UCSA “Palm Sunday” special, the children drew and cut out hand designs to wave in blessing the congregation as everyone exited the church following the 11 AM service.  See photos.


A summary  of the children's Sunday morning, March 13
Last Sunday in Youth Ministry, the children learned about Lent - the Unity concept of Lent based on a unity.org article,  "Let Go and Let God: Lent 2011"
The teachers gave a brief history of Lent and how Charles Fillmore made it a Unity practice. Then the children learned how to use Lent in their lives daily and for their future. They put the lesson into practice by preparing Palm Sunday affirmations in a fun and unique "Unity" way.
 

More Photos
_________________________

A summary of the children's Sunday morning, March 6
Last Sunday in Youth Ministry we started a new month and with it a new POWER: WISDOM
We read I Samuel 3:1-10, "Samuel Hears God Calling" from "A Celebration of Our 12 Powers" by Rev. Diane Venzera.  After this had fun with sounds. "What's That Sound?" using various items that make interesting sounds.  Uniteens discussed Wisdom as well using "free association."
More photos
________________
A summary of the children's Sunday morning, Feb. 27
Lesson Topic: Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi
 
We had a brief introduction on Gandhi; a quick review of the history and his impact on us and the world; then led the children in meditation.
In their classrooms, the children listed things they owned.  Then they learned more about Gandhi and the teachers
discChildren-feb20ussed the children's lists with them and asked them to circle anything on their list that is necessary to live.
After more discussion, they understood the message Gandhi gave the world - that we need very little other than our own inner strength and love.  See photos
 
Next the children make cookies symbolizing love and strength.
_______________________
February 6, we discussed the 2nd Power: Strength.

The topic was, David v. Goliath: "Inner Strength" v. "Physical Strength".
See photos of February 6
 
We divided half the class into, "Team David" and the other half, "Team Goliath". A member from, "Team Goliath" was then asked to re-enact the battle with words and not fists or swords. Goliath berated David. Then Goliath was again allowed to berate David again, but this time David was allowed to say aloud, Affirmations of Truth. When the re-enactment was over we asked the children how they felt during the first battle and then how they felt after the 2nd battle.
The children were poignant in their answers. Feeling of helplessness to feelings of strength of God within. The children really took to the challenge and expressed themselves. One child remarked, "An eye for an eye makes everyone blind". Gandhi couldn't have said it better himself...,
 
For the second lesson, on the agenda, the children were asked to distinguish the magnetic pull of magnets and their relationship to God. The children really took this as well. When magnets are aligned, with similar polarity, they are drawn together almost instantaneously. The relationship we want between us and God. When polar opposites are attempted to be drawn together the children were able to distinguish the push or force between the magnets. Similar to a non-relationship with God. The children had a lot of fun with magnets...



From Louis Nelson, YM Director- review of Sunday 1/30:

Friends of Unity,
 
Johanna and the Uniteens lead our Youth Ministry in a "Rally Day". They presented the Five Unity Principles in a neat and easy way for the kids to be mindful of their spiritual connection to GOD called, OOMPA   
 
Blue is for Omnipotence because its the color of the sky and oceans and both give us life and surround us.


Green is for Omnipresence as it represents the grass and the trees; it represents our growth and potential.
Yellow is for Mind Action, it is the color of the sun that gives life and energy to all it touches, reminds us of the power of our thoughts and actions.
White is for Prayer because like a blank sheet of paper it is full of possibilities the same way that the power of prayer is
unlimited.
Red is for Action because it is a bold color that reminds us of energy and the life force that causes us to act.
The children got to make a leather bracelet depicting the 5 Unity Principles in action and not just something they have to
memorize, they can now live it and be mindful of their commitment to God.
 


Hope you enjoyed your visit with us today. If you have any questions regarding Youth Ministry please send me an email to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
 
Thanks again and Blessings,
Louie
 
Next Week: David v. Goliath, "Inner Strength v Physical Strength"



From Louis Nelson, YM Director week of 1/24: