Religious Exploration at Shoreline UU
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shoreline UU Church has had to completely revamp it’s children and youth programming. Starting in September 2021, we’ve resumed offering an in-person children’s programs. Children’s programs are held in a large room with good ventilation, always masked and socially distanced. There’s also online Zoom programs for children coordinated by UU churches in the Pacific Northwest.
Below are our church’s current offerings for children, youth, and parents. Given the frequent changes brought on by COVID-19, it’s wise to get on the email list for SUUC parents for the most up to date information about our offerings for families — just email Chris Pollina, our church’s Director of Religious Exploration for Children and Youth, to get on this list.
In-person offerings
All-ages Children’s Church -- Children begin their morning at church in the sanctuary with the adults for the chalice lighting, a song, and then a story for all ages. After this, children and youth go nextdoor to the Davis Building for “Children’s Church.” This starts with a sharing circle in which kids get to know each other a little, a discussion of the story for all ages, and then choosing an activity to engage in for the bulk of the class. The activities provide a variety of ways for children of different interests, ages, and developmental stages to relate to and deepen their understanding of the story and broader worship theme. The activities change each Sunday and can be anything from group art projects, cooperative games, collaborative storytelling, active games, letter writing, spiritual practices, cooking, and on and on.
Intergenerational Worship Services — A few times a year, children and adults will stay together in the sanctuary for the entire service. These days feature less talking and more doing — an altar to place pictures or mementos of deceased family or pets for the morning, a “graffiti wall” in which the congregation writes their personal pledges to care for the planet, small group discussions on what your idea of a UU superhero is.
Nursery / Preschool — Kids who are not yet in Kindergarten get to spend their Sundays at church with our church’s two wonderful childcare professionals, Carly and Monica, lighting a chalice, hearing a story, and playing together. We strive to offer nursery/preschool care every Sunday of the year.
High School Youth Group -- On Sunday afternoons, high school youth gather for a game or spiritual practice, an in-depth check-in, and “The Protein,” a substantial discussion with an ethical or spiritual dimension, usually based off a video we all watch together in the session.
Parent Happy Hour -- On the last Wednesday of the month at 5:30pm. Parents come together to connect / reconnect with each other, sustain meaningful community, and support each other through these difficult times. Sometimes there’s a structured discussion, though often it’s just a time for check-in followed by open ended conversation around whatever is coming up for people that week.
Online offerings
Pacific NW Online Programs — Each Sunday from 10-10:30am, elementary age children gather with other young UUs in the area to hear a story and connect. There’s also a middle school program at 1pm on Sundays and a youth program on Wednesday at 7pm. To ensure security, we don’t list the Zoom links for these programs on our website — if you’d like to give any of these programs a try, or you’d just like to know more about these programs / what our children and youth programs are like during non-COVID times, please get in touch with Chris Pollina, our church’s Director of Religious Exploration for Children and Youth at shorelinedre@gmail.com or (206) 240-5500.
Family Events
Below are our church’s current offerings for children, youth, and parents. Given the frequent changes brought on by COVID-19, it’s wise to get on the email list for SUUC parents for the most up to date information about our offerings for families — just email Chris Pollina, our church’s Director of Religious Exploration for Children and Youth, to get on this list.
In-person offerings
All-ages Children’s Church -- Children begin their morning at church in the sanctuary with the adults for the chalice lighting, a song, and then a story for all ages. After this, children and youth go nextdoor to the Davis Building for “Children’s Church.” This starts with a sharing circle in which kids get to know each other a little, a discussion of the story for all ages, and then choosing an activity to engage in for the bulk of the class. The activities provide a variety of ways for children of different interests, ages, and developmental stages to relate to and deepen their understanding of the story and broader worship theme. The activities change each Sunday and can be anything from group art projects, cooperative games, collaborative storytelling, active games, letter writing, spiritual practices, cooking, and on and on.
Intergenerational Worship Services — A few times a year, children and adults will stay together in the sanctuary for the entire service. These days feature less talking and more doing — an altar to place pictures or mementos of deceased family or pets for the morning, a “graffiti wall” in which the congregation writes their personal pledges to care for the planet, small group discussions on what your idea of a UU superhero is.
Nursery / Preschool — Kids who are not yet in Kindergarten get to spend their Sundays at church with our church’s two wonderful childcare professionals, Carly and Monica, lighting a chalice, hearing a story, and playing together. We strive to offer nursery/preschool care every Sunday of the year.
High School Youth Group -- On Sunday afternoons, high school youth gather for a game or spiritual practice, an in-depth check-in, and “The Protein,” a substantial discussion with an ethical or spiritual dimension, usually based off a video we all watch together in the session.
Parent Happy Hour -- On the last Wednesday of the month at 5:30pm. Parents come together to connect / reconnect with each other, sustain meaningful community, and support each other through these difficult times. Sometimes there’s a structured discussion, though often it’s just a time for check-in followed by open ended conversation around whatever is coming up for people that week.
Online offerings
Pacific NW Online Programs — Each Sunday from 10-10:30am, elementary age children gather with other young UUs in the area to hear a story and connect. There’s also a middle school program at 1pm on Sundays and a youth program on Wednesday at 7pm. To ensure security, we don’t list the Zoom links for these programs on our website — if you’d like to give any of these programs a try, or you’d just like to know more about these programs / what our children and youth programs are like during non-COVID times, please get in touch with Chris Pollina, our church’s Director of Religious Exploration for Children and Youth at shorelinedre@gmail.com or (206) 240-5500.
Family Events
While attending church on Sunday morning is the biggest gathering of our community each week, we strive to offer other events in which parents and children can make a deeper connection with each other in smaller groups. While we’ve offered outdoor events during the summer, given COVID-19 restrictions, as the weather gets colder and wetter, it’s becoming impractical to have large, indoor social gatherings of parents and children which often feature food or drink. We’ll explore doing these events again as infection rates drop and vaccinations are approved for young children. Email Chris Pollina our Director of Religious Exploration for Children and Youth,, to get on our mailing list so you can be kept up to date about upcoming events for families via a weekly email.
Chris Pollina, Director of Religious Education
Chris Pollina has served as the Director of Religious Education for Children and Youth at Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church since 2009. He grew up Unitarian Universalist and his passion for the church led him to become active in organizing district youth conferences and participating in national conferences and social justice work. He is a credentialed religious educator at the associate level. Since he moved to Seattle in 2002, he has pursued interests in education, music, beginning a summer camp for adults, and building collective power to create a more just and equitable worled. He lives with his wife Amanda, two cats and many fish.
Chris Pollina has served as the Director of Religious Education for Children and Youth at Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church since 2009. He grew up Unitarian Universalist and his passion for the church led him to become active in organizing district youth conferences and participating in national conferences and social justice work. He is a credentialed religious educator at the associate level. Since he moved to Seattle in 2002, he has pursued interests in education, music, beginning a summer camp for adults, and building collective power to create a more just and equitable worled. He lives with his wife Amanda, two cats and many fish.