What is Faith Formation?
Faith formation in Unitarian Universalism is a lifelong process that nurtures spiritual growth, personal meaning, and community connection. It involves learning about one's faith, exploring values, and engaging in practices that promote compassion, justice, and love within oneself and the broader community.
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At UUSF, the Faith Formation team is made of staff and volunteers dedicated to our values & mission statement. Together, they collaborate & create second hour offerings, support for families, and fun activities.​
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How we support our congregation
During Service
Multi-generational services are held each week at 10 am. We have children’s play areas in the sanctuary and auditorium that are staffed with adults during services. Children can play with small toys, do crafts, and participate in the service through singing, participating in Time for All Ages (weekly child-friendly stories or conversations), collecting the offering, and helping out with other service elements. Children are also welcome in the nursery or sitting with their parents. Busy Bags and Journals are available to take to the pews.
​Our nursery is on the second floor of the Harrop Center, a sunny and beautiful building next to the sanctuary. The rooms are well stocked with toys and staffed by professional childcare workers. Parents can stay as long as they’d like. If you have squiggly toddlers you can leave them in the nursery and pick them up before coffee hour or second hours. Nursing areas are available in the main building and in Harrop.
After or Outside of Service
We have coffee hour every Sunday after the service. Please join us for conversation and camaraderie. There are spaces for children and teens to hang out together in the auditorium.
Twice a month (and sometimes more), we have educational and community-building opportunities after coffee hour.
For adults, these are times for covenantal listening and sharing, learning about our faith and social justice issues, and making new friends. We have multigenerational offerings every month after services, especially around the holidays– for decorating, for games, and for getting to know you activities. We are also running I am an Artist activities the first Sunday of every month where adults and children have a chance to flex their artistic muscles.
Children are offered developmentally-appropriate curricula and activities, and often have opportunities to run and play, indoors and out, and to create in our Makers Space.
Click here for a full calendar of our second hour offerings.
Youth Offerings
Lower Elementary
Our younger children will spend some second hours in their classroom on the second floor of Harrop, sometimes outside, and sometimes in our Maker’s Space. They’ll listen to stories, share out about their week, and play with blocks and other toys. The classroom is beside the nursery, so children can also share in the fun there at the sandbox and kitchen.
Upper Elementary
This year, we are working with the UU values challenge, to help children understand how their values can contribute to their decision making at home and in the school room. Children are also invited to help with service elements, and to spend time outdoors and in our Maker’s Space.
Youth & Teens
​​We recognize that the teenage years are challenging for youth and their parents. Our fellowship offers opportunities for engagement with peers, adults, and families, in service, learning, and fun.
This year we are running an Our Whole Lives Program for Grades 7-9. The OWL program is a signature sexuality program that has been used successfully for 25 years, though recently updated.
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We are also hoping to run a Grades 10-12 OWL later in 2026. Please contact us if you are interested in this program for your children or grandchildren.
Older children not involved in OWL have opportunities to be mentored, and to engage in service and learning opportunities with their peers or adults.
Adults & Families
In addition to Second Hours, adults can deepen their learning and connections through Social Justice Initiatives, reading groups, Small Group Ministries, and affinity groups.
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In addition to the programs mentioned above, Families can engage in our holiday fun like our Haunted Castle, Christmas and Solstice offerings. We also have a Holiday Traditions dinner scheduled for December 5th–it’s a chance to learn and share no-cost soulful ideas for joyful holidays.
Parent’s Night Out has become a favorite for families. Every other month, children gather from 6-9 on a Friday evening for a meal, games, and play while their parents and caregivers have a chance to relax and regroup.