What does Unity of Fairfax offer the Children of Today ?

We believe that all children are unique expressions of the One Being. As such they have infinite potential to express their gifts. Unity believes that we are empowered through Spirit to create our own experience and make a difference in the world.

We accomplish this by offering a multi-sensory, holistic approach to spiritual development, involving body, mind and spirit -- addressing diverse learning styles through an age-grouped, developmentally- appropriate curriculum.

In our community, children and families have an opportunity to develop relationships with other children, families, mentors and role models. This is a place for families to enjoy together, and to express their gifts by participating and contributing to the whole.

We make sure children are spiritually equipped for a multitude of experiences in our challenging and diverse world. Our goal is for children to have:

• A deep understanding of their spiritual nature and that of others
• A compassionate connection to the greater community through helping others
• A sense of deepening appreciation and connection to the natural world & all of creation
• A positive, balanced self-image, and an understanding of personal wellness and balance on all levels of life
• Skills in a variety of forms of affirmative prayer and meditation
• Familiarity with the biblical stories and teachings that are the touchstones of Christianity, as well as the metaphysical interpretations and meaningful explorations of these stories that make them relevant to their contemporary experience
• An introduction to and appreciation of various world religious traditions, in order to participate as truly global spiritual citizens
• Creative expression through games, song, music, story-theater, crafts, movement
• Peace-making skills such as communication, cooperation, problem-solving and creative conflict resolution
• Opportunities for social and leadership development in local, regional and national spheres
• Rites of passage that honor the child's developmental milestones

A word from the Director, Kathryn Ashera Sprowls:
Welcome, All to the Unity Family!
REFLECTION
At Unity, we reflect upon what is truly important to us in our spiritual lives and the spiritual lives of our children! Together we shape our priorities in the spiritual education of our families and youth. If you would like to share your ideas and inspirations, what has been most meaningful to you in your spiritual development, and what will best meet the needs of your family, you are welcome to contact the Youth & Family Ministry Director, or to fill out our youth education survey. To receive a copy, please contact Kathryn at the email address below.

PARTICIPATION
Parents and other friends of the church are the life-stream of our program. We are open to your input, enthusiasm and energy to create the best possible experiences for our youth! If you feel drawn to share a special talent, and your love of the spiritual journey with children of any age, feel free to contact us to discuss these ideas. “It takes a village to raise a child,” and we, in the process, are blessed to do so!

PARENT COOPERATIVE
If you have a child or children enrolled in our program, you are part of our cooperative Sunday education program. Here we see parents as the 'hands and hearts of spirit on earth'. Children look to you as role models, mentors and guides. Your enthusiasm, prayerfulness, creativity and ‘sparkling personality’ give them the inspiration to take their next steps. When we gather together with our children, the primary focus is on creating loving relationships first, as the springboard for our spiritual development and unfoldment. It is icing on the cake to explore in our lessons how Spirit is unfolding within us as well. However, you don’t have to teach in the classroom! There are many other ways to lend a hand of support, before or after service, behind the scenes, during special events, field trips, etc. We’d love you to share your special talents, so don’t be shy about participating in your own unique way!

REGISTRATION & SIGN IN
Registration is ongoing at Unity of Fairfax, with new forms for 2007-2008. Find them with your child’s classroom teacher or in the atrium. Please watch over your child/ren before and after their youth ed class. Parents and children Pre-K through 5th grade begin the 11:00 service together, in the sanctuary. After some songs, greetings and the children’s blessing, your child will be guided to their classroom for the remainder of the hour. You will then pick them up at the classroom door. Please help your child make or find their nametag when you enter the building. Also, it helps us if you take your child(ren) to the restroom before church/class.

LOVE OFFERING
Our hope is to establish in our children the practice of sharing abundance, as it flows through us and blesses ourselves and others. If this resonates with your family, please send your child with a coin or two, or a dollar or two, or more, or not, as you feel is appropriate. If a family or child chooses not to participate, didn’t know about this, or just forgot, they will be invited to “bless” the collection with their hands, sending their prayers and best wishes for a prosperous, dynamic community of spirit making a difference in the world! We recite a simplified version of our church blessing:

“God’s love, flowing through me,
blesses and multiplies
all that I have,
all that I give, and all that I receive.”

The amount we gather, even if small, is an important part of our individual prosperity and the expanding vision of this church community.

WHAT ARE OUR CHILDREN LEARNING AT UNITY?
All of our curriculums are based on the exploration of Unity principles and are ‘living curriculums’, which means that they are focused on the awakening of each child through stories and experiences that are directly relevant to them! In the fall of 2006, our Pre-K/Kindergarten classes (ages 3.5 through 5 years) will continue their explorations of “What a Wonderful World”, adding some new and colorful picture books and ideas to the mix. Our first and second graders will explore “Children on the Quest”, an adventure into higher awareness. Our third through fifth graders will do the “Rainbow Spirit” program, which is a celebration of all dimensions of our being, using yoga, dance, the creative and healing arts. Uniteens, our 6th – 8th graders, will do their more sophisticated version of Rainbow Spirit, along with studying World Religions and rites of passage.  Our high-school group, the YOU, will set sail toward an end-of-year service trip to Costa Rica as part of Softly International.  They will be fund-raising while building service, leadership and other spiritual principles into their foundation for life! 

THE FIVE UNITY PRINCIPLES are the basis of our teachings. They are the essentialized teachings of Jesus, our exemplar. We also recognize that the essential truth expresses through all beings, and we honor the voice of truth in its many expressions. We pursue a grounding in the teachings of the bible, and augment that with the spiritual teachings and stories of many cultures and traditions.

PLEASE, NO NUTS--ESPECIALLY PEANUTS--ON UNITY GROUNDS Greater numbers of young children suffer from peanut allergies, and so we find it safest to keep any nut products away from the Unity campus.

PLEASE REFRAIN FROM WEARING HEAVILY PERFUMED PRODUCTS TO UNITY SUNDAY CLASSES! We have some students who are allergic to perfume, so please be your natural self on Sundays!

Blessings,
Kathryn Ashera Sprowls
Director, Youth & Family Ministry
Unity of Fairfax Church
2854 Hunter Mill Road
Oakton, Va 22124