Register for Children's Spiritual Development at USG 2025

Welcome families of Unitarian Society of Germantown! We are excited to be in multigenerational community with your kids and youth this year. Our Children's Spiritual Development (CSD) programs seek to center the innate wisdom and agency of youth with trusted adults supporting them. Please set aside about 15-20 minutes to fill out this form.

All families should fill out this registration form for their kids, whether you have an infant or a teenager! We want to know all of the kids/youth that are at USG. Please fill out this form even if you have registered in the past. This ensures that we have up to date contact information and know how to best support your kids/youth's physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Our CSD programs run almost every Sunday during the worship service. We have age-based classes from preschool up to high school. There are a few special Sundays throughout the year that we have multigenerational services where everyone is invited to stay in the Sanctuary. Outside of Sunday mornings, we have fun, family-friendly activities like art potlucks, labyrinth walks, and Halloween celebrations! Once you've registered, we'll add you to our mailing list so you can keep up with all that's happening with CSD at USG.

If you have any questions after finishing the form, please reach out to our Director of Spiritual Development, Zoë Johnston, at dsd@usguu.org. We look forward to seeing you!

*While vaccines and boosters are not required, it is recommended for both children and volunteers. This is one way we practice accessibility and care.*

Parent and Family Information

Are you a returning family to Unitarian Society of Germantown?

Yes, we have registered at USG before No, we have not registered at USG before (even if you've attended in the past)

1st Parent/Guardian Name

This address will receive a confirmation email

Cell Phone Number

Address

2nd Parent/Guardian Name

Cell Phone Number

What should our communication be with the 2nd Parent/Guardian?

Included on all regular communication Contacted only in an emergency Something else that I'll specify below

Additional Parent/Guardian or Emergency Contact Name

Cell Phone Number

What should our communication be with the Additional Parent/Guardian or Emergency Contact? Included on all regular communication Contacted only in an emergency Something else that I'll specify below

Is there anything you would like the DSD or classroom volunteers to know about your family structure or situation?

How would you like to be connected to other parents at USG?

I'd like to participate in Rev. Hannah's 'Parenting As a Spiritual Practice' group (only for those that haven't done it before) I'd like to join the Parents Group which meets monthly on Sundays (for everyone that's already done Parenting As a Spiritual Practice) I'd like to be added to a WhatsApp group chat I'd like to offer something new that I'll reach out to Zoë about I'm not interested at this time

Supporting Our CSD Programs

We ask that all parents and guardians volunteer some of their time to make our program a success. As Unitarian Universalists, we know that our interdependence makes us strong and generosity is gratefully received. There are a variety of ways to contribute with varying commitment levels and schedules. Please choose at least one item per parent/guardian. Thank you for your commitment to Children's Spiritual Development at USG!

Lead teacher is 1-2 times a month
Helper commitment is once a month
Coming of Age mentors are trusted adults that will be paired with one of our 8th-10th graders as they explore their beliefs and write a credo statement
OWL Faciliators will attend a series of virtual trainings in the evenings in October before leading a 8 sessions across Sundays in February and March
All other commitments are specified

Are there any special skills you think you could contribute to our CSD programs? Do you lead yoga, play the guitar or could lead a D&D campaign? Do you have theater games up your sleeve, a great craft project idea, or a vast knowledge of tree names? Do you love making posters for events or planning events? Or something else we couldn’t even think of! This could be for both kids/youth programs, all ages events, or even an adult teacher training.

Child Safety Background Checks
If you plan to volunteer in the classrooms, the state of Pennsylvania requires that all adults working with children (including periodic volunteers) pass a background check. This includes the PA State Criminal History Background Check and Child Abuse History Check. There's a guide on how to submit for those clearances here. These are good for 5 years, any clearances from before 2020 are expired!

Your own checks:

I have a recent background check (<5years old) that USG already has a copy of I have a recent background check (<5years old) that I will send to USG I don't have my background clearances yet

Child(ren) Information

Please fill out the information for your child or children below. The information will be shared with the Director of Spiritual Development and our CSD volunteers, all of whom have submitted their background clearances to USG. If you would like for only a smaller group of volunteers to have this information (such as only those in your child's classroom), please let us know.

Child 1 Full Name

Child 1 Pronouns

Child 1 Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Child 1 Age

Child 1 Academic Grade in Fall of 2025(if applicable). Children are loosely grouped by academic grade in our programs. However, grade level is not always the best indicator of your child! If you have any questions or concerns about placements, please share them below or email the Director of Spiritual Development at dsd@usguu.org

Child 1 Health Needs: This includes any food or environmental allergies, dietary restrictions, or medical conditions.

Child 1 Overall Wellbeing: What should our CSD teachers know so that we can best support your child's spiritual, mental, social, and emotional needs in the program?

Child 1 Supports: Are there supports your child receives in other environments that might be helpful in CSD?

Child 2 Full Name

Child 2 Pronouns

Child 2 Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Child 2 Age

Child 2 Academic Grade in Fall of 2025 (if applicable)

Child 2 Health Needs: This includes any food or environmental allergies, dietary restrictions, or medical conditions.

Child 2 Overall Wellbeing: What should our CSD teachers know so that we can best support your child's spiritual, mental, social, and emotional needs in the program?

Child 2 Supports: Are there supports your child receives in other environments that might be helpful in CSD?

Child 3 Full Name

Child 3 Pronouns

Child 3 Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Child 3 Age

Child 3 Academic Grade in Fall of 2025 (if applicable)

Child 3 Health Needs: This includes any food or environmental allergies, dietary restrictions, or medical conditions.

Child 3 Overall Wellbeing: What should our CSD teachers know so that we can best support your child's spiritual, mental, social, and emotional needs in the program?

Child 3 Supports: Are there supports your child receives in other environments that might be helpful in CSD?

Write in the requested information for additional children

Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about your family's needs at this time?

Other Opportunities at USG

Beyond our regular CSD classes, there are a few other opportunities for kids and families at USG this year.

Child Dedication - This is a special ritual in which the congregation commits itself to a child and joyfully welcomes them into the community. A UU Child Dedication affirms the inherent worth and dignity of each child and represents the beginning of their spiritual journey. Dedications happen during Sunday services at any point during the congregational year. Child Dedications can be done at all ages - newborns and toddlers, children, youth, and teens - at any point that a ritual commitment to this congregation feels right. There is more information here (as a video) and here (as a written doc).

Our Whole Lives (OWL) - OWL is a comprehensive lifespan sexual education curriculum that is grounded in Unitarian Universalist values. This year we'll be offering OWL for our kindergarten and 1st graders (with some flexibility for 2nd graders to join) in February and March 2026. The developmentally appropriate curriculum educates kids about bodies, birth, babies, and families through an expansive and progressive lens. You can find more information here.

Coming of Age (COA) - Coming of Age is an essential Unitarian Universalist program that marks the transition out of childhood. It is a year-long program that meets on Sunday morning before culminating in a worship service. It is an opportunity for our emerging youth to explore their own values, create meaningful community with each other, connect with adults in the congregation as mentors, and eventually articulate their own beliefs. We honor this rite of passage for our 8th, 9th, and 10th graders.

Are you interested in having your child(ren) dedicated at USG this year?

Yes No I would like to talk more about it with the DSD and minister

If your child is in kindergarten or 1st grade (or in that age group), are you interested in having them participate in OWL? Yes No I would like to talk to the DSD to know more about it

If your child is in 8th, 9th, or 10th grade (or in that age group), are they interested in participating in Coming of Age? Yes No We need more information

Media Release

I give permission for the above-named child(ren) to be photographed and/or video recorded by Unitarian Society of Germantown (USG)

I understand and agree USG may use the photos and/or videos containing the words, image, and/or voice of the child(ren) in internal newsletters, special church communications, or posters and may be shared publicly through our website, Youtube, or social media. USG will not use children's names in any images or recordings to protect their privacy unless separate written permission is given.

Parents or guardians of the above-named child(ren) can revoke release at any time by contacting Zoë Johnston at dsd@usguu.org

** This is a good opportunity to talk to your kids and youth about their preferences and have a conversation about consent. There's a short video resource here. **

Please confirm that you give permission for USG to take pictures or videos of your child(ren)

Yes No - Opt Out Other

If you selected "Other" above, please share more about your wishes

Children's Spiritual Development Registration Fee

It takes money to help our program run! Registration fees help us to cover supplies and material costs. Below, we have a sliding scale model so that CSD continues to be an equitable and accessible program. Use this as a guide to make a payment that feels right for your family.

Our ability to create an annual budget that supports a thriving CSD program relies on the pledges of our members. If you are a visitor at USG, we strongly encourage you to follow our sliding scale model. If you are a frequent visitor, this may be a good time to consider joining and making a finanical pledge to our congregation. Our pledging members are not required to pay the registration fee but donations are always welcome.

$60/child each year - this tier covers the cost of your child in the program as well as making it more accessible for other families

$40/child each year (true cost) - this is how much we spend on each child in the program each year

$20/child each year - this lower tier is for families where it would be a financial stretch to pay the true cost of the program. If any cost is still a barrier to accessing community, please reach out to the Director of Spiritual Development.

If your children will be participating in Our Whole Lives (OWL) for Kindergarten and 1st graders or Coming of Age (COA) for high schoolers, please consider giving more. These programs cost more to run (about $100 per youth) including facilitator trainings and updated curriculum resources.

Payment

If you have additional questions after filling out this registration form, please reach out to our Director of Spiritual Development Zoë Johnston at dsd@usguu.org. Thank you for being part of our Beloved Community at USG!

Credit/Debit Card Number

Expiration Date/CVC

Name on Card Card Billing Address

Register for Children's Spiritual Development at USG 2025 - 2026

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Register for Children's Spiritual Development at USG 2025 - 2026

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