Nursery at First Parish Brewster
Ages 0 to Pre-K | Sundays, 10–11:15 AM | Led by Claudia Hardwick

Our nursery is a gentle, loving space where the youngest members of our community are cared for with kindness and warmth. Each week, we read an engaging story to spark curiosity and a sense of wonder, helping little ones feel safe, comfortable, and truly seen as they begin their journey with our church family.

Meet Claudia:
Claudia Hardwick brings a heart full of compassion and years of experience in early childhood care. She creates a nurturing environment where every child is valued and receives the special attention they deserve.

We look forward to welcoming your little one and making Sundays a joyful start to their spiritual journey.

Elementary Program
 Ages K–5 | Sundays, 10–11:15 AM | Director: Anna Smith

Our elementary program offers a nurturing space where children explore their values, build friendships, and connect with the world around them. Grounded in compassion, belonging, and kindness, it follows the Soul Matters monthly themes for a rich foundation of spiritual and emotional growth.

Room to grow, space to belong, with love at the center.

Theme for the Year: A Year of Becoming
This year, our Children and Youth Ministry moves through ten monthly themes, each a doorway into deeper connection: with ourselves, with each other, and with the world around us.

• September: Beginnings
• October: Courage
• November: Healing
• December: Awe
• January: Thresholds
• February: Commitment
• March: Balance
• April: Emergence
• May: Play
• June: Horizons

Each Sunday, children gather in our children’s space to choose from hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and reflection.

Program Highlights:

• Creative Arts: Monthly projects bring values to life. A Courage theme might mean making superhero capes; a Compassion theme might mean painting kindness rocks to share with others.
• Storytelling: Weekly stories are chosen for their developmental stage, sparking discussion about values and feelings.
• Community Building: Cooperative games and group activities build teamwork, respect, and friendship.

Every Sunday, children grow emotionally and spiritually, all while having fun, making friends, and feeling at home.

Middle School Youth Group
Grades 6-8 | First Sunday 4-6 PM, All other Sundays, 10–11:15 AM | Advisor: Finn Allen

Our Unitarian Universalist Middle School Youth Group is an inclusive space where young teens (grades 6–8) can be themselves, connect with peers, and explore what matters most. Rooted in UU values, the group blends fun, reflection, and action to support each youth’s spiritual and emotional growth.

Program Highlights:

• Social Action Projects: From volunteering to advocacy and community events, we’ll take on hands-on projects that make a real difference. Our middle schoolers have the opportunity to take the lead on projects that promote justice, inclusion, and compassion in the wider community. Once a month, our middle schoolers join with the high school youth group for a dedicated Social Justice Sunday, tackling a different issue together each month, from hunger and poverty to fair trade, the environment, and more, with a hands-on action tied to each one.
• Reflection & Discussion: Each week, we make space for honest conversations and reflection. Together, we explore how love shows up in our lives, our communities, and the world around us, helping us connect what we believe with how we live and grow into more thoughtful, compassionate people.

This group is a supportive and energizing space to grow, serve, and build lasting friendships.

High School Youth Group

Grades 9-12 | Sundays, TBD | Director: Anna Smith, Advisor: Finn Allen

Our high school youth group is a space where teens come together to explore big ideas, build meaningful friendships, and make a difference in the world. We’re excited to welcome back a new chapter of the group this year.

The group focuses on building a community grounded in empathy, respect, and shared commitment to justice. Youth are encouraged to show up as their full selves, share openly, and support one another in a safe, inclusive space.

If you’re a high schooler looking for a place to connect, reflect, and create change, or if you’re a parent or caregiver interested in helping get this group going again, please reach out. We’d love to hear from you.

What the group offers:

• Social Action Projects: From local volunteering to advocacy and organizing, youth lead and participate in projects that put love into action and support justice, equity, and inclusion. Our high schoolers help lead a monthly Social Justice Sunday alongside our middle schoolers, taking on a new issue each month and mentoring the younger youth through discussion and action.
• Reflection & Discussion: Meetings include space for thoughtful conversations about how our values shape the way we live, care for others, and take action in the world.
• Coming of Age: Our high school youth spend a year exploring Unitarian Universalist history, theology, and values while working to articulate their own beliefs. The program culminates in Coming of Age, a congregational tradition where each teen shares their personal credo statement and steps into full membership in their faith community.

If you’re a high schooler looking for a place to connect, reflect, and create change, we’d love to have you join us.