Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana Seeking the Spirit | Building Community | Changing the World
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Lifespan Religious Education

January Intersession

During our Sunday morning religious education time in January (January 12, 19, and 26) our children and youth grades 2-8 will participate in special multi-age groups, each exploring this month's congregational theme of Intention through different topics and activities. Spirit Play will continue for our youngest, who tend to thrive on consistency and predictable routines, but if you feel your child would be comfortable in a multi-age setting please contact Stephanie Kimball to discuss the options.

On each of the Intersession dates, children/youth will gather in Fellowship Hall after the Time for All Ages to choose activities and meet up with their teachers. If you can, please discuss the options with your child in advance, and sign up here -- this will help us know how many to plan for, and help make Sunday mornings smoother.

Read on for descriptions of each, and click here to select your child's top choices.

January 12

  • Mending Workshop. Do you have a pillow that's been attacked by a pet, clothes destroyed by a bicycle chain, a favorite blanket that has lost its binding, or a shirt that needs a button? Here's an opportunity to learn how to fix things, rather than sending them to the landfill! Bring along a cloth item that needs repair, and let's see if we can make it whole again. In the process, you'll learn some basic sewing skills. Led by Ann Robins, a seamstress and regular participant in Discardia's mending workshop held at the public library every second Saturday.

  • Juggling. Join professional juggler Miles Eddy as he demonstrates and teaches the art and skill of juggling. Miles has performed and talked about the historical importance of the professional “Fool” since the early 1980's. He juggles three, four, and five balls, clubs, rings, sticks, and knives. For ages over 8.

  • Making Decisions in a Video Game. Kids will make decisions as we walk through the game-play of Syberia. We'll stop the game at decision points, and the group will discuss the options. We will follow their decision to the next point as we progress through this example of the game play, and discuss their intent for what they are trying to accomplish in the game. Led by Bob Appelman.

  • Drawing for Beginners. Using simple, readily available, drawing tools this class takes the fundamentals of constructive drawings and brings it to the kid level. Kids love drawing, but as they start to grow up, they can become frustrated that they aren’t able to make pictures look like what they want to. This small class starts them off early by letting them in on the “secrets” behind how grown up artists see and represent the world with measuring, mark making and shapes. Learn to see and move your hand with intentionality and appreciation for the world around you, and make some cool pictures too. Led by David Frew.

January 19

  • Folk dancing. Learn and dance some easy folk dances from various countries, focusing on dances without gender roles. No experience necessary!  Confidence with left and right may make learning easier, but we’ll adapt the teaching to the group. Led by Elizabeth Venstra.

  • Collage. Use images from magazines to create a visual representation of your intentions for 2025. Effective collaging techniques will be discussed. All materials and supplies will be provided, though if you have pictures you'd like to include you are welcome to bring them. Led by Jenny Vessels.

  • Harmony with Animals, via Harmonies Board Game. Kids will make decisions as we play the wildly popular board game Harmonies. We will discuss their intent for what they are trying to accomplish in the game. Led by Bob Appelman.

  • Winter Sowing. Each participant will use a gallon jug to make a mini greenhouse. We’ll have soil and native plant seeds and you will be instructed how to check on your growing plants between now and spring. Led by Ann Kamman.

January 26

  • Animal Movement. Taught by David Frew, a parkour and martial arts instructor, Animal Movement leads kids through different and challenging ways of moving, inspired by our quadrupedal friends. Use your arms like a gorilla, gallop like a horse, navigate your world like a spider, have the calm of a sloth. In this class, we will aim to develop their coordination, balance, and spatial problem solving skills as they move with a focus on intentional playfulness. A great time for any kid who loves to move.

  • International Karaoke with Instruments. We will select pre-recorded songs from different countries and play along with them. No experience necessary; instruments will be provided. Led by Bob Appelman.

  • Making Smoothies. How do our food choices affect our strength, energy, happiness, and ability to think clearly? We'll discuss our intentions around nourishing our bodies and enjoying our food, then make delicious and nutritious smoothies from a variety of ingredients. Instructor TBA

  • Embroidery for Beginners. Learn the basics of embroidery, including threading needles, tying knots, using hoops, simple stitches, changing colors, and more. We'll start with burlap and big needles, and make plans to continue learning if participants are interested. Embroidery will be introduced as a Soul Work option soon, so this is a great chance to learn! Instructor TBA.

** If you have not registered your child for Religious Education for the 2024-25 church year, please do so here. **