9905 Anderson Mill Rd., Austin, TX 78750  512.335.4449   [map]    
   
   
  Youth and Family Ministry  
     
 
Our youth and family programs provides a safe and nurturing environment that promotes spiritual growth, physical and emotional health, and positive self-esteem in our young people. Unity provides the practical application of the teachings of Jesus the Christ, our Master Teacher; we learn to recognize the Divinity in all of life.


Registration & Medical
Release Form

Youth & Family Ministry
Director: Linda Hancock

Overview:
Our children and teens are such an important part of our spiritual family at Unity Church of the Hills. We welcome you and your family to our church home and honor your child's adventure in growing by providing a well-rounded spiritual curriculum designed to reach each child's age and level of understanding.

Our Youth Education Program takes place on Sunday morning concurrent with the Adult Services. Prior to the end of each Service, the children and teens join the adults in the Sanctuary for a special blessing acknowledging their contribution to our spiritual family, followed by the Peace Song.

During Friendship Hour, following the Service, we provide free comprehensive Interactive Child Care for our youngsters so the parents can spend some time in fellowship with other congregants knowing their children are being well taken care of. After Service Child Care is a free service available for parents who need to attend volunteer team meetings, browse the bookstore, or enjoy the adult fellowship of our spiritual family. After Service Child Care is hosted by volunteers.

We also provide Workshop Child Care. Please review the Childcare Policy.

Our Family Ministry provides support to families by organizing events and workshops to strengthen the connection of the family unit and in community to other families. Divine Inspiration works through us to create a nurturing and supportive environment for parents and children through spiritual activities, wholesome recreation and service to others.

  • What We Teach
  • Youth Education
  • Teen Education

Unity teaches five basic ideas or premises. These are expressed here in language young people can understand:

  1. There is only One Presence and One Power - God the Good. God made all things and is everywhere all the time.
  2. God made me and everything in the world. God inside me (the Christ) is loving, kind, wise, and always knows the best thing for me to do. We are all God's children and loved unconditionally.
  3. My thoughts have value and power. Whatever I think about all the time grows. I have the ability to choose my thoughts at all times, my thoughts do not choose me.
  4. I can change my mind at any time. I affirm what is true with positive statements. "I AM God's beloved (perfect) child." I deny (or do not give power to) that which is NOT true. I talk to God through prayer and listen in meditation (the Silence).
  5. God wants me to have a happy, joy-filled life. I use the tools I've learned. The Christ in me helps me in all I think, say and do, to be the best me I can be.

Offered Sundays at 9:30 and 11:30 AM

Unity has been described as a "way of living." Teachers assist children in developing values and seeing how they can use these ideas in their daily lives. Parental modeling reinforces this for the children.

Nursery
Our child care workers lovingly interact with your child by affirming the Christ within them through song, safe playtime or watching your angel sleep.

Toddlers
Teachers caringly interact with your child by introducing them to a beginner's Bible or contemporary story and affirming the Christ within them through song, conversation and other activities. Cooperative play time is also a feature in this class to teach skills to be used in future classroom settings.

Pre-School(Ages 4 and 5 including Kindergarten)
Little ones can learn about God through sharing with others in hands-on lessons. The stories and activities are planned with their attention span in mind. Children learn through wonder questions, music, learning to do for themselves and repetition.

Elementary Grades 1-2
Elementary Grades 3-4
Elementary Grade 5
Children are naturally inquisitive and want to learn. They'll often make a craft to take home that reminds them of the lesson theme. Ask your child to share this with you. Your interest means a lot to them. The use of crafts, hands-on projects, music, games, food, role-play and classroom discussion begins to explore the ways in which each child can incorporate the spiritual principles they learn into their daily lives at home and at school.

An energetic, enthusiastic and loving team of sponsors is present to greet and engage the attention of your teens.

Uniteens (Grades 6-8)
Offered Sundays at 9:30 and 11:30AM

Uniteens is designed for pre-teens and young teens in Junior High and Middle School. The Uniteen leaders prepare activities and lessons that enhance the spiritual, emotional, and social growth of this age group. Learning is enhanced through informal sharing, and occasional service opportunities and fun activities outside of class. A yearly spiritual weekend retreat is also available (the next retreat is September 18-20, 2009 in Oklahoma).

Youth of Unity (YOU) (Grades 9 - 12)
Offered Sundays at 11:30AM

The Youth of Unity is an international organization for youth ages 14-18 (grades 9-12). The purpose of YOU is to facilitate a safe, fun, and loving environment for youth to explore and discuss their spirituality. YOU provides youth the opportunity to explore Unity's Principles and other truth teachings and to demonstrate these in their Unity centers, local community, and daily lives. Visit the Y.O.U. Homepage.

 

This Week's Lessons

Family Celebration Service
 
   
 

Did You Know

Upcoming Youth & Family Events

Papa John's Fundraiser

Order your Papa John's pizza online using the code word "UNITY" and 10% of your order will be donated back to our Y.O.U!  Spread the word to family and friends acrross the country!  Just go to PAPAJOHNS.COM anywhere in the U.S.A. and we'll get credit for the order year-round!


Wee Wisdom School Logo

Welcome Lisa Hammel, Acting Director!
Lisa Hammel is an Education and Parenting Consultant specializing in working with young children, families and schools, to help bring a balance of love and respect back in to parent/child relationships, identify and correct learning difficulties and assist in educational settings as needed.  She has worked with children of all ages, from infant to middle school for over 30 years as a parent, teacher, director and consultant.  She served as the Founding Director of St. David’s Episcopal Day School in Austin, Co-Director of Youth and Family Ministry at UCOH, and as the International Youth Ministry Coordinator for the Association of Unity Churches at Unity Village, Lee’s Summit, MO.

Wee Wisdom Nightlights!

Wee Wisdom School is selling nightlights in the bookstore. These nightlights feature the school's logo and an affirmation that says "I let my light shine!"  They can be personalized with a digital photo of a loved one or natural scenery, or a symbol of your choice.  The nightlights use an LED light which burns cool, uses very little electricity and lasts at least 25 years. A nightlight in a young child's room, a bathroom, or the kitchen can be very helpful and would make great Christmas gifts!  Proceeds will benefit Wee Wisdom School.
Available in the bookstore.

Family Celebration Service
Parents, mark your calendars now for our next quarterly Family Celebration Service!  These kid-friendly Services are for children and their parents/grandparents and other loving adults, and are held in lieu of Sunday School on 5th Sundays.  Childcare is provided only for infants and toddlers in their regular rooms. These Services feature our teens and other young talented members of our Youth & Family Ministry.  Bring your friends and neighbors and join us for a heartwarming experience!
Sunday, January 29 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. in the Legacy Suite of Unity Oaks

Peace Art Gallery:  A Tapestry of Peace
In observance of the Season for Peace which starts January 30, our children have created images of their ideas of peace.  These wonderful works of art are displayed in the hallway of the Education Wing.  Please take a moment to walk the hallway and savor these beautiful drawings that were conceived in the minds and hearts of our young people.

Heartsong Music Together Classes!

Starting in January, Heartsong will be offering mixed-age Music Together classes (for newborns through age 5 and their parents/caregivers) year-round at our Church on Friday mornings at 10:30am. Music Together® is an internationally recognized early childhood music and movement program based on the recognition that all children are musical and can learn to sing in tune and keep a beat, provided that their early environment supports such learning. The program also strongly emphasizes adult participation!  Music Together class tuition for the first child is $225, the second sibling is $135 and the third sibling is $90.  There is a one-time $15 processing fee for new families and a $5 processing fee to returning families (taken classes previously at Heartsong Music).  The tuition includes a beautifully illustrated songbook and 2 CD's (one for home, one for the car) and a Parent Education Night and Family Fun Night offered during the session at Heartsong Music. Their 9-week Winter Session starts January 13 and goes through March 9.HeartsongMusic.net to register online or call (512) 371-9506. 

Session Runs:  Fridays, January 13-March 9 at 10:30a.m. in Unity Oaks

Soup & Sufi
Tickets for the annual Soup & Sufi fundraiser for our Youth of Unity go on sale today in the Foyer.  Soup & Sufi will be held on Sunday, February 12 after second Service.  If you already know that you won’t be able to stay on that Sunday, the YOU will also be taking orders for take outs.  Refer to the bulletin insert for more details.
Friendship Hall, Sunday, February 12 after second Service

Parents Night Out
Parents, make plans now to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your sweetie on Saturday, February 11.  Our childcare staff will lovingly care for your children while you enjoy a night out with your loved one. Refer to the bulletin insert for more details. Register online.
Saturday, February 11 at 6-10p.m. 
Cost is $20 per child.

Kaffirmations
Inspirational key chain affirmations, called "kaffirmations" are now available in the bookstore.  These key chain tags make great stocking stuffer gifts!  They only cost $2.50 for a set of two per affirmation.  Buy one of each design and give them to yourself, family, friends and co-workers.
Proceeds benefit our Youth of Unity.

Profound Parenting: A Parenting Solutions Group
3rd Sundayof each month
10:45am
Love Offering

Join Language of Listening and Love & Logic facilitators and other parents for a solution-oriented discussion about the challenges and successes you are having with your children. The facilitators are experts in their respective parenting philosophies, and lovingly share insight and guide discussion as parents make discoveries about their children and themselves. The focus of the group is on how to help you help your children see and express their inner greatness!  Bring a friend; the public is welcome. 

Feb - Parenting with LOVE & LOGIC - Small price, big lessons
Mar - Firm Boundaries & Flexible CAN DO's
Apr - Finding Children's STRENGTHs - Encouragement vs praise
May - Birthday Celebrations - Gracious gift giving, receiving & sharing
Jun - School's Out - Balancing routines and free-play
Jul - Uh-Oh! Boredom
Aug - New Friends, New Teachers, New Experiences
Sep - Creating Powerful Playtimes with Kids
Oct - Building Strong Self-concepts & Self-esteem
Nov - Celebrating Successes and Handling Disappointments
Dec - Enjoying the Holidays with Family and Friends

Your Teen Can Start Earning a Driver's License Today!

With DriversEd.com and eScrip, your teen can complete the required drivers education online - without ever stepping in a classroom. Their quality course provides everything needed to prepare for the DMV permit and driver's license exams. Register for eScrip and sign your teen up today! When you do, DriversEd.com will contribute 5% of the tuition amount to Unity Church Of The Hills!

Discover the Unity Family Matters Website
"The home for the emotional and spiritual empowerment of kids and families!"

Unity has teamed up with North Star Family Matters magazine, creating a website where both organizations can come together to change lives and empower children. For adults, there is an extensive library of parenting articles, a parent's forum, and advice blogs. For kids, there is the imaginary realm of Wee Wisdom Village, where they will make decision and learn lessons while playing original, interactive games. Empower your entire family! Explore and enjoy! www.unityfamilymatters.org.