urbandale united church of christ
3530 70th Street, Urbandale, Iowa 50322 | phone 515.276.0625
fax 515.276.2451 | e-mail: staff@urbucc.org

church school

sundays during the school year, 9:45-10:30 a.m.

Each Sunday morning during the program year (which parallels the public school year), children and youth church school classes meet. Classes are divided into the following groups: Preschool (3-5 years old), K-1st, 2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, and 9th-12th. More information.

top

SOS choir and youth hand bells

Musical opportunities are available during Wednesday Night Alive during the program year.

"Shine on Singers" (SOS) Choir: 5:00-5:30 p.m.
Youth Hand Bells: 5:30-6:00 p.m.

The SOS Choir is a new choir for students in first grade (1st) through eighth grade (8th). These singers will sing simple unison melodies as well as two-part harmony from music, also from song sheets and word charts (for non-readers). They will explore music through singing, movement, and playing of pitched and non-pitched instruments. This choir will perform monthly alternating between the early and late services from September until May. This group performs at the 5:30 Christmas Eve service. A spring musical is the culminating performance for this group.

The Youth Hand Bells is for students in fifth grade (5th) through eighth grade (8th). Their music reading skill levels range from beginner to advanced. Students read from musical scores to play the assigned parts in the Handbell music. *Attendance is important and ringers will need to notify the director if an absence is to occur. This choir will perform monthly alternating between the early and late services from September until May.
*All players will be expected to help set up/take down tables, bells, and music.

top
back to music and arts

confirmation

Confirmation Class 2007-08: Exploring Our Faith, Finding Our Voices
Are you entering the 7th or 8th grade? Are you interested in learning more about our church and growing in your life as a Christian? Confirmation class is for you! This is your chance to explore our history and who we are today, through music, art, and other expressions of faith. At the end of the school year, you will have an opportunity to join Urbandale UCC as an adult member! Pastor Emily leads this class Wednesday nights from 6:45–8:00.

top

Childserve visits

Occasionally, children and youth from 3rd to 12th grades visit Childserve in Johnston to play games with the children there. Rides are provided to and from Childserve.

top

our whole lives class

Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a yearlong sexual educational program for students in 7th or 8th grade. The series offers comprehensive information and a safe place for students to ask questions. OWL is the first year of a two-year confirmation program.

nursery and child care

Child Care is provided during regular Sunday worship services, the Sunday education hour, Wednesday Night Alive, and All Team Night. Child Care can often be made available for other functions and meetings upon request. Trained staff and volunteers supervise our children at play in the Nursery and Everyone-Is-Welcome room. If you are planning an event and would like to request childcare, please contact Christian Education Assistant, Amy Murray, with at least two weeks’ notice. Please do not call childcare providers directly; to follow our safety guidelines, child care requests must be handled by Amy. Volunteers are always needed, and Amy will be happy to train anyone interested in volunteering in our children’s ministries!

top

camping

The Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ offers many camping opportunities for all ages throughout the year at Pilgrim Heights. Urbandale UCC strives to pay for half of the camping cost for all children who want to attend camp in the summer. Fundraisers are held each year to raise money for these camping scholarships.

For more information about Pilgrim Heights camping opportunities, contact the Iowa Conference-United Church of Christ, 600 42nd Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50312, 515-277-6369. For more information on camping scholarships, call the Urbandale UCC office at 276-0625.

top

youth time

Youth ages 8th-12th grade are welcome at YouthTime gatherings, where youth get together to work on exciting projects or just to have fun together. Recent YouthTimes have included the planning and performance of a Las Posadas service during Advent, and bowling nights at Merle Hay Lanes. YouthTime activities are planned by the new Youth Team, so this is truly a small group created for youth, by youth!

They usually meet Sunday Evenings—watch the CALL and bulletins for announcements. Adult facilitators are Scott Gardner, Ken Hanson, Jessica Roberts, and Pastor Emily, emily.g.fries@urbucc.org or 515-276-0625.

Upcoming Schedule:

• February 10: Sleepy Hollow, time TBD.
  
• February 24: Movie Night, at UUCC, 6:30-8:30 pm.
  
• March 9: Bowling, Off-site TBD6:30-8:30 pm.
  
• March 30: Fundraiser Planning, at UUCC, 6:30-8:30 pm.

top