“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince.
2025-2026 Program Year
First: Let’s get the kids registered! Registering doesn’t mean you’re obligated to attend; it does, however, help us to know a bit about the kids when they are with us. It’s important for us to have current records for safety and program information. So please, take a minute and click the button to register now for the ’25-’26 church year. Thank you!
Nursery: Ages 6 weeks through 3 Years
A sweet and supportive space for our tiniest people. Our staff and volunteers create a warm and welcoming place where babies and toddlers learn to feel safe, have fun, and start to know peers. Parents may leave babies and toddlers when the Nursery is staffed, or they can choose to stay until they are ready to separate.
The Nursery is open most Sunday mornings 9:30-11:30.
PreK-7th grade: Young Church
Sundays during worship (except on Multigen Worship days.) Children begin in the sanctuary and then they may go downstairs following Time For All Ages, until 11:15
We have a few programs with overlapping ages in this range. We recognize that there is not one format for all kids, so there is a fair amount of flexibility in program ages. Please reach out to DCFM with any questions concerning what would work well for your children.
Pre-K through 3rd/4th Grade: EPIC!
This year in our younger elementary room we will use the EPIC curriculum created by Jen Shattuck–a play-based, skill-building framework designed to help UU congregations meet kids’ spiritual need to engage in community. Through movement, art, conversation, and more, EPIC sessions help elementary-aged kids become active and loving co-creators of Unitarian Universalist congregational life.Kids in this age group meet during worship.
4th/5th Grade through 7th Grade: JET PIG Around Town
Kids will take our UU values into the community outside our church walls! JET PIG is a superhero with a name that is an acronym for the values that Article II names as what we are trying to live into: Justice, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism, Interdependence, Generosity–all fueled by Love. Through hands-on activities, play, and service, we’ll explore what it means to be a UU every day, not just on Sundays. JP’s team will earn badges each time they connect to a new UU value.
All Ages: Story Workshop
This will be an occasional offering where any interested kids (and adults!) can work on making props and costumes for an upcoming TFAA performance.
8th Grade: Coming of Age
CoA is a wonderful UU rite of passage. At this age, youth are in one of the most formative and pivotal times of their lives. Part of the work of CoA is claiming the kind of person you want to be. As UUs, we believe in a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. CoA helps our youth articulate the values and beliefs they hold most dear, and to understand their own identity as a Unitarian Universalist. The program is a significant commitment of time and energy throughout this year long program, but is one of the most memorable and often life changing experiences offered in our Religious Education program arc.
Over the course of the year, participants will be paired with a mentor, and will explore topics including: Exploring Values; Why Bad Things Happen; Community Service; After Death Beliefs; UU Identity; God Beliefs; Faith; Writing Faith Statements; Faith Statements in Music and Art.
Participants will slowly work on their own statement of faith, where they see themselves now. Many will share these faith statements during the annual Coming of Age worship service in June.
Grades 5-8: Sparks & Flames
Our fifth, sixth and 7th graders, plus 8th graders who are not in the Coming of Age program, interact with associate programs and other South Church groups to learn about and help with many ways to participate in making our church thrive. We will also connect with some local organizations to learn about and help with good work outside the church walls. Kids this age will start in the sanctuary. Then class meets on Sunday mornings during worship, following the TFAA, until 11:15.
All 5th through 8th graders also have a monthly social event. Here is the schedule of events for the ’25/’26 program year:
- September 26th, 2025: Game night, 7-9pm
- October 31st, 2025: Pumpkin carving at the South Church Halloween Social
- November 21st, 2025: Activity TBD
- December 19th, 2025: Holiday Movie and Snackfest, 7-9pm
- January 9th, 2026: Ice skating, 7-9pm
- February 6th, 2026: Activity TBD
- March 6th, 2026: Activity TBD
- April 3rd, 2026: Activity TBD
- May 8th, 2026: Activity TBD
- June 5th, 2026: Activity TBD
Interested in being a group leader? Please let us know! CLICK HERE for info about volunteering in our programs.
Get In Touch
Director of Children and Family Ministries Jen Del Deo-Barry: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org
Director of Lifespan Ministries Kirsten Hunter: kirsten@southchurch-uu.org
Drop By
Our offices are located at 73 Court St in Portsmouth.
Generally the office is open Tues through Fri, 9am-2pm.
You are welcome to drop in during those hours, but it’s always a good idea to call or schedule an appointment if you would like to meet with a staff member.
Mailing Address:
South Church Meeting House
73 Court Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801
southchurch-uu-re.org 