UUC’s Family Ministry program has been growing and this year serves over 80 families,  which represent approximately 132 children and youth and 210 parents, caregivers and other adult volunteers! The programs are powered by the dynamic leadership of Aria, Amanda and Teddy alongside childcare providers, Jasmin and Shameka. 

Video by High School Senior, Phil Crowther

The video, Fostering Relationships and Building Community, explores the ways that the Family Ministry program supports connections through engaging programs for kids and the adults caring for them.

View the video

Testimonial by 8th Grader, Aziza Glimbier 

Aziza shares her experience of coming to UUC two years ago and all the ways she has participated in the Family Ministry programming, including giving back to this community by volunteering. 

—---

Have you ever felt alone with no second home to go to? Well I did until my family decided to come here to University Unitarian Church. At this church I have gotten to know a lot of amazing people that have been people of all ages. Ever since we got here we have we have been welcomed into the family even from the first moments that we had stepped into the church just over two years ago. And no matter if you are a stranger or a friend, the church community welcomes you with open arms.

Some of the things I like about going to church is the coffee hour before and after the one hour service where I can hang out and talk to my friends from my class and where others can meet new people. I also like going to my classes.  Another thing I like is the opportunity to get involved and volunteer, but more on that later.

One of my favorite things I have done at church are the field trips that we have gone on in the middle school class, World Religions. We’ve learned about religions around the world and after learning about a certain religion, we would go to the religion's place of worship. One of my favorite ones was when the class learned about the Muslim religion and we got the chance to go to a mosque. The people there invited us to watch them do the worship routines. After they taught us a little bit more about their religion. 

The class I am in this year is called OWL—this is short for Our Whole Lives. This class talks about relationships and how they should or could work and the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships. It has helped me grow confidence and learn more about these topics and more. Also, it has helped me build up my friendships at church, and in my personal life and what it means to be a good friend. I have found that with the church classes, it helps build community between the youth in the classes and their teachers. 

In my time at UUC I have volunteered in the elementary aged classes and I have learned that building community and friendships are just some of the things that the church community focuses on. Also, I have gotten the opportunity to get involved with the services as well. For example, the youth lead services once every year. This gives the older youth the chance to lead a service with a theme of their choice. I have learned a lot from planning and being a part of the youth services, and I feel like I have come out of them changed.

In conclusion, all of these experiences and more have made me a more open-minded person. Another thing I learned from working with elementary school students is that there is more than one way to do a certain thing. For example, doing some type of art project like painting and hands-on crafts. Overall, my experience at UUC has been an amazing one and I can’t wait to continue it. 



Please consider supporting our Family Ministry programs by making a pledge to 
Blessing Our Becoming Annual Giving Campaign by March 31.

March is pledge month. Submit your pledge now for the 2025-2026 church year!

2025-2026 UUC Pledge Form