Unity of Austin

Unity Church of Austin is committed to offering a creative and positive education program for its children and young people which inspires, instructs and provides a solid spiritual foundation for their growth into adulthood.  The church administration and board are committed to support the provision of a high quality program by offering

All the resources that are feasible and available to the ministry.

Our classes and instructors create environments which provide security, friendship and fun. Materials and curriculum are age appropriate and provide opportunities for discussion, sharing, personal experience and life application. Prayer and meditation, which are important to learning to communicate with God is a vital part of the curriculum.

Currently we offer the following classes during our Sunday School program which are held during the adult worship service. 

*Toddler- Kindergarten (ages 3 and up)

*First-2nd grade

*3rd-5th grade

*Uniteens (Junior High)

*Y.O.U. (Youth of Unity, high school)

Most of the classes are held in the large stone house just south of the current sanctuary. They begin on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m.  and end at the close of service. (11:00 a.m.) Before the start of classes, all children meet in the sanctuary of the church with the

adult members of the church for prayer, and praise singing. Therefore, it is necessary that parents and/or care givers escort their children into church before 10:00 a.m.

Following the singing, the children are escorted to the Y.E. building for their classes.

A nursery is provided in a room just steps up from the Kitchen and Fireside room.

Children younger than 3 years of age and their parents are welcome to use this space.

Parents may watch the service on the television in the Fireside Room and stay close to

their children. There are toys for group or individual play, a changing table and a private

restroom. Parents should bring special toys, snacks and diapers for children who need them.

The lessons that engage the children in their classes cover a wide range of learning activities. They are hands on experiential and fun. Just like adult services the classes offered to our children are based on basic Unity Truth principles.

Adjusted for children, these Five Basic Principles are:  

1. The only Power in the universe is God, who is wholly good. 

2. The Spirit of God we call the Christ is alive in Jesus and in me.

3. Through the power of God, my thoughts can change my life.

4. I can choose to let go of hurtful and limiting thoughts. I can choose to think loving and kind thoughts.

5. I can talk to God. I can listen to God. God listens and talks to me. I can use the truths I am learning every day.

Our staff consists of one program director and a number of loving volunteers. These dedicated people are constantly learning how to best serve our children.  They teach from a spiritual understanding that each soul, child or adult, has an individualized pattern of soul growth. The Living Curriculum developed by the central organization called the Association of Unity Churches is designed to draw forth innate spiritual truth from within each child and not just to impart knowledge intellectually. This program is a process to assist children, teens and families to learn and grow together. Truths are emphasized through shared experiences, storytelling and creative expression (art, music, etc.) Teachers listen to the real stories that students are telling with their action and their energy and address the real needs revealed so that students may discover many options and help create their own solutions.

Love-in Action Projects are included in the curriculum. Some of these activities are “the pennies for giving” project, preparing food for the homeless, raising funds for use by international organizations for children, helping during the Keep Austin Beautiful clean up days, creating Earth Day festivals, and other annual projects

Our Youth Education Program is home to the Unity School of Rock, a program in which singers and musicians work with children who are interested in creating and sharing music. The School of Rock meets twice a month from 11:00 am until 1:00pm. Food is provided each week.

Future dreams and plans:  We hope to expand our experiential programs by adding some other “schools” to our agenda, such as a special program for Bible studies, science, soccer, and other sports.  We also have a dream of creating new and powerful curriculum emphasizing drama, speaker plays, and Bible interpretation.   This is to say, that the desire of the entire congregation is to support and grow an education program that is dynamic, inclusive, and challenging. In today’s world we want our children to have optimum support for soul growth and development. 

Within 6 months our congregation will finish rehabilitating our new church and will begin to occupy space uniquely designed for children.  In an expanded and more efficiently designed space, our program will be even better.

Our program director is Dana Washington. She may be reached at 892-3000 or by e-mail at Dana.Washington@sbcglobal.net.