From January 17-19, 2025, East Shore Unitarian Church was the vibrant hub for a regional gathering of Unitarian Universalist youth. The youth-led event brought together participants from nine local congregations for an exciting two-night program filled with community building, meaningful workshops, and plenty of fun activities.
Throughout the weekend, attendees had the opportunity to meet UU youth from various congregations, connect through worships, meals, small groups, crafts, and games. A highlight of the event was the “Talent – No-talent show”, where participants showcased their creativity and humor!
Workshops focused on important topics like listening, zine-making, and upcycling plastic into yarn! Our small groups empowered participants to explore their values and beliefs in deeper ways. Youth engaged in worship to share in spiritual practices and create belonging, all while developing valuable leadership skills.
Youth left with stronger peer connections, a deeper understanding of themselves, and the tools to make a positive impact in their peer communities.
by Amanda Alice Uluhan, Director of Religious Education
Most Sundays during the worship service, East Shore has FOUR rooms open to children and youth. These spaces help build peer relationships, and if we had just TWENTY active teachers (less than 7% of the congregation), each teacher would only need to volunteer once a month. However, we’ve had only about FIFTEEN volunteers supporting these four classrooms over the past two months.
While the Education building may feel like a distant land, it is a warm, supportive space for building peer connections and nurturing the East Shore family community. Whether you can come once or twice a month, we invite you to join our fun community as hallway monitors, greeters, singers, game-players, listeners, or baby-pickers-uppers. Some rooms require prep, but we can often do that together on the morning of. Volunteering in our kids programs is a great way to meet more of the community, have fun while learning new skills, and share your unique gifts! No experience is necessary. Interested or want to learn more? Email our Director today at [email protected] to find out more.
by Amanda Alice Uluhan, Director of Religious Education
At East Shore, we are proud to be a community that centers love, connection, and resilience, especially in a world where youth face both unique and perennial challenges. Our faith calls us to honor each individual’s worth, to care for one another, and to work toward a future that is just, peaceful, and whole. This vision of a better world guides our children’s and youth ministry, creating a space where young people and families can grow, deepen their connections, and find support during life’s challenges.
Our ministry isn’t just about programs or activities—it’s about creating a community grounded in compassion, learning, and justice. Together, we are shaping a future where trauma does not repeat across generations, where people and the planet can heal, and where we can all work for justice and equity. Through this lens, our children and youth are empowered to explore who they are and what they can bring to the world.
We are especially proud of the adults in our congregation who have stepped into important roles as mentors, leaders, and guides. Whether helping with chalice lightings, leading religious exploration groups, organizing celebrations, or supporting service projects, these adults walk alongside our youth, providing the consistency, warmth, and encouragement they need to grow and thrive.
By nurturing these connections and fostering resilience, we are not only teaching our children and youth to live with integrity and compassion—we are also building the foundation for a future where they can be agents of change. Our collective work, from caring for our neighbors to advocating for a more just and equitable world, reflects the power of community to transform lives. v
Join Us in Building Community with Our Children and Youth!
Looking for a meaningful way to connect with our community and support the next generation? We have some fantastic opportunities to get involved! You can choose from a variety of roles that suit your interests. Check out these upcoming events and sign up directly on the sheets.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Lighting the Chalice (All Year)
Childcare (Monthly)
Giving Tree Youth Care (November/December)
Winter Pageant (December 15)
Regional Youth Conference (January 17-19)
Church Auction (March 15)
End of Year Bridging Ceremony (June 8)
For any questions, please reach out to the Director of Religious Education at [email protected] or call 425-747-3780 x 104
by Amanda Alice Uluhan, Director of Religious Education
Do you love cooking for large groups, supporting youth ministry, and working with youth? Winter UU Youth conference is looking for helping hands to cook to 1) coordinate the meal plan, 2) take care of grocery shopping and 3) cooks meals for the weekend con. You will be well supported by East Shore’s DRE, and will have the help of dedicated volunteers and teams of youth for meal prep and clean up. If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, please contact Amanda Uluhan [email protected]
Overnight Help
Winter UU Youth conference is looking for adults 25 and over to help with overnight supervision shifts for our weekend con. Your volunteer time makes it possible for Con Youth advisors to get some sleep, and helps ensure a safe and inclusive youth con environment. Responsibilities include walking around the church site a few times during your shift, helping to maintain quiet in sleeping areas, and waking up the ESUC Staff in case of any issues. Each volunteer covers a 4-hour shift – between 12:00 am and 8:00 am. Nights requiring overnight volunteers are Friday January 17, Saturday January 18, 2025. We need eight volunteers total. You will receive clear information about rules and procedures before your shift. If this sounds like something you could help with, please contact Amanda Uluhan [email protected].
by Amanda Alice Uluhan, Director of Religious Education
In a recent hands-on workshop, children participated in the Climate Justice Revival through a unique TrashLab Art Project. The project blended creativity with environmental stewardship, encouraging participants to reflect on our role in caring for the Earth.
The workshop began with an outdoor exploration around the East Shore campus, where kids collected natural items and litter, learning about the importance of protecting the planet and its beauty. They safely sought out a variety of colors, textures, and shapes. Back in the classroom, the children transformed their findings into a collaborative canvas to represent both the natural environment and human impact. By turning trash into art, they discovered how small actions can lead to positive change, fostering a sense of responsibility and deeper connection to the Earth.
The canvas is now hanging in the upstairs of the Education building. Come check it out and take a look.
by Amanda Alice Uluhan, Director of Religious Education
Witness transformation in the lives of both the children and yourself. The children will remember your support, care, and positive influence.
Experience Unitarian Universalism through different lenses, deepening your connection to the church and your faith by participating in both worship and teaching.
Service is our prayer.
Who teaches?
People with children and people without children. People in their 20s through their 80s. Long-time church members and relative newcomers. You!
Who, me?! Yes, you!
We have one of the largest Unitarian Universalist Children, Youth, & Families programs in the Northwest – and that means we need a lot of volunteers! Our current major volunteer needs are with our Sunday morning Religious Education program. We need approximately 20 more adults to join volunteer teams to make our programming happen successfully and sustainably.
Volunteer teams consist of four adults for each grade level and service time, who will rotate through to ensure there are 2 adults in each classroom each Sunday. This averages out to every volunteer being in the classroom once or twice a month. Please thoughtfully consider whether you can support our congregation by volunteering your time, energy, and presence on a Religious Education team. We really and truly cannot do this ministry without you and other fabulous volunteers.
Current Volunteer Needs for Religious Education:
Little UUs room Ages 0-5: 2 needed
Discovery Year Kindergarten-3rd grade: 3 needed
Stepping Stones 4th-6th grade: 2 needed
YES-UU 7th-8th grade: 3 needed
YRUU 9th-12th: 3 needed
Important Dates
September 7, 9am-3pm: Annual Volunteer Training
September 15, 10:30am: First Day of RE
Interested?
Fill out this form. If you are interested in joining a volunteer team in support of our young folks this year, or if you’d like more information to help make your decision, please reach out to Amanda via email at [email protected] or by phone at 425-747-3780 x 104. You will make her day!
by Amanda Alice Uluhan, Director of Religious Education
