Wheel of Life Service

May 22 is our special Wheel of Life Celebration! 

Join us for the annual UUCF tradition of celebrating life’s milestones for the past year including a child dedication and memorials for those who have passed. This multigenerational service will engage members of all ages as we celebrate life transitions and rites of passage. Nursery Care will be available for our youngest members. 

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Flint will pause to mark the milestones that have shaped our personal and communal lives since Spring 2010. Please check out the Events Tab to download our Wheel of Life Form so that you may provide us with information on life passages for you and your close family members. This can be mailed or delivered to the Church Office, or emailed to office@uuflint.org by Monday, May 16.

Thinking About Child Dedication?

Unitarian Universalists joyfully welcome children into our community with ceremonies of Child Dedication. We will be offering opportunities this year for participation in a group dedication during our worship at the annual Wheel of Life Celebration on May 22. You may be wondering what Child Dedication involves, so here are some answers to common questions about this rite of passage.

What is Child Dedication?
The Unitarian Universalist tradition celebrates the birth of children as well as the entry of older children into our community when their parent(s) become members. This tradition echoes the longstanding rituals of many faiths that welcome new life into the community and the world.

What is the ritual?
We affirm the beauty of each child, bless them, officially present their names and pledge the support of the entire congregation in nurturing our children. Special music, readings and affirmations create a memorable occasion for all. A special certificate and a rose without thorns is given to each child.

Can my child have godparents?
Sometimes parents choose to select godparents to serve a special role as spiritual guardians of their children. The ceremony can include godparents if the parents desire it.

Can we have a private ceremony with family and friends?
Yes, private child dedications are available to all members if that style of dedication is more suited to your family tradition. Sometimes a more intimate ceremony can be tailored to include elements of other faith traditions, which can be helpful and sensitive for families of mixed faith backgrounds. Otherwise, we offer the opportunity for group dedications at Christmas Eve and at the Wheel of Life Celebration in May.

My child is older and was never dedicated as an infant. Can s/he be dedicated now?
Child are precious to us at all ages. Older children are very welcome to participate in a child dedication and often appreciate the opportunity when they see little ones dedicated. It is meant to be a meaningful and important moment in their young lives.

What should my child wear?

Just like on Sunday morning, we come to this church as we are, so no special clothing is needed. However, if you have christening gowns or other special clothing for dedicating infants, you are most welcome to dress your child in these traditional clothes.

How can we participate this year?
Talk with Rev. Shelley Page about your interest in this group dedication. Call her office at 810-877-6732 or email minister@uuflint.org You can also talk with her about scheduling a private ceremony. If you want to have your child dedicated on May 22, please let her know by May 15.

Creating Community

Did you know that volunteering for church events and duties as a family can be fun and easy? 

Sign up to usher with your children or volunteer to work a fundraiser; it can help your child feel like a part of our UU community and can be a fun way to work together as a family!

Have more ideas for other ways to create opportunities for multi-age community and service? Add them below!

Congrats, Coming of Age youth!

June 7th was a very special day as we celebrated the accomplishments of our youth who completed our 2009 Coming of Age program. The youth, along with their mentors and two facilitators, met every Sunday evening from January to June and examined so many issues; from life and death, to ethics, to ideas about God.

Our youth, ranging in age from 12 to 18, have all written their statements of faith and presented them from the pulpit during the Sunday service.

This Rite of Passage is celebrated in many UU churches and is a great example of why so many people have found a home in our faith; we have reached out to our youth at an age where they have begun to ask some serious questions about life and their purposes. We understand that, as Socrates said, "wisdom begins in wonder," and that the ability to question and to challenge ought to be celebrated rather than fought.

We also understand that there are always more questions to be asked and more wisdom to be gained. I hope that our youth have inspired us each to contiunue along our own spiritual journeys.

Thank you to everyone who made this program possible; it was truely a volunteer effort! We cannot do this without the talents of all of our members!