Throughout the year, our community participates in many family-friendly events. We consider an event family-friendly if we've put special thought and planning into including and engaging young people. If you are older, single, or don't have children, we very much hope you will join in. We're all part of the River Road Family. Each individual's presence enriches the experience for all.
Ongoing Family Events
Circle Suppers for Families with Young Children
This is a wonderful way to get to know other members in the comfort of each other's homes. Participants sign up for three month rotations that start in October, February, and May. If you specify that you'd like to be in the group for families with young children, you'll be sure to be matched with people who think Goldfish crackers are a delicacy and joyful noise compliments any meal.
Family Game Night
On the second Friday night of each month between September and May, people of all ages come together for games, pizza, and fun. You can take an active role in selecting which games we play, so it's easy to tailor the evening for the ages and interests of the gamers.
River Road Garden & Harvest Sundays
The Sunday before the second Tuesday of each month is a Harvest Sunday. People of all ages are invited to work together in the River Road Garden beside the Fellowship Building. After the services, we meet to gather fresh produce for a donation to Shepherd's Table, a local organization that supports individuals and families in need. You can also bring fresh fruits and vegetables from home to add to the donation.
There are lots of other ways to get involved with the River Road Garden throughout the year. There's often a representative from the Garden Committee who is happy to direct you if you'd like to water, weed, mulch, or plant (or just nibble!)
You can always drop off compost in the area just beside the garden (to the left of the bridge). The area is in the open and unlocked, so you don't need to wait for anyone to assist you. Please just read the signs.
Summer Family Events
July 11 Harvest Sunday
Come help us gather kale and carrots for a donation to Shepherd's Table. The children and teens will start harvesting at 10:00 as part of their religious education, and everyone is welcome to meet in the River Road Garden after the service if they'd like to lend a hand. Remember to bring any fresh fruits or vegetables from home that you'd like to contribute.
August 1 Trip to the Brookeside Nature Center
This trip is a part of the children's and teen's work to learn more about honeybees and help them. All are welcome to meet for a picnic at Wheaton Regional Park (please bring your own food and blanket). At 1:00, we'll go inside the Nature Center to observe the indoor hive. A resident naturalist will answer our questions about bees.
The address is 1400 Glenallen Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902
Carpooling would be a green way to go!
August 8 Harvest Sunday
Come help us gather green beans for a donation to Shepherd's Table. The children and teens will start harvesting at 10:00 as part of their religious education, and everyone is welcome to meet in the River Road Garden after the service if they'd like to lend a hand. Remember to bring any fresh fruits or vegetables from home that you'd like to contribute.
August 22 Animal Blessing
People 5 years old and up are invited to come directly to the sanctuary at 10:00 and worship together for the full hour. Children 4 years and younger can either go to summer Religious Education in the childcare area upstairs or join their families in the sanctuary. Pets are invited to share in this ceremony. We'll celebrate, honor, and remember our furry, scaled, and feathered friends.
September 5 Water Ceremony
People 5 years old and up are invited to come directly to the sanctuary at 10:00 and stay for the first 30 minutes of the service. Children 4 years and younger can either go to summer Religious Education in the childcare area upstairs or join their families in the sanctuary. Please bring a small sample of water that symbolizes a significant place in your life, so you can share in this uniquely Unitarian Universalist ritual.
September 10-12 All Congregation Retreat
This is a great opportunity to meet people in the congregation. Children and youth can make new friends or renew old friendships. It is a casual weekend of fellowship, fun and outdoor activity at Camp Tockwogh, Worton, MD.
Autumn Family Events
September 26 Teacher Dedication
At the beginning of each service, we'll honor all the volunteers who will be teaching Religious Education this year. This dedication ceremony will be a short, meaningful way for all of us to consider the ways we help each other grow and learn.
October 31 Multigenerational Halloween Party
Between services, we'll show off our creative costumes, trick-or-treat for Unicef, visit the Haunted House (put on by our youth), make joke cards for the Children's Inn, and go on a hunt for healthy treats for local kids in need. Please email Kerridwen at khenry(at)rruuc.org if you'd like to help.
November 21 All Souls Food Drive
The entire congregation collects food to be distributed to families for Thanksgiving. RRUUC youth deliver the food to All Souls Unitarian Church in the District for sorting and distribution.
November 28 Famous UUs Multigenerational Service
People 5 years and older are invited to participate in the service for the full hour. Children 4 years and under can either go to their Sunday School classes upstairs or stay with their family in the sanctuary. Get to know some important Unitarians/Universalists through these creative skits and reflect on how they might inspire you to craft your own UU life. Please email Kerridwen at khenry(at)rruuc.org if you'd like to be a skit writer or actor: we're especially looking for people aged 9-12!
Winter Family Events
December 4 River Road Bazaar
Families of older elementary children often help out the week before by lending a hand with setting up, sorting and pricing items for the biggest bazaar in Montgomery County. It's great fun and helps clean out your closets. On the day of the Bazaar, you'll find lots of wonderful clothes, toys, games, and books for young people at fantastic prices, and every purchase supports River Road.
December 12 Multigenerational Holiday Party
After each service, we'll play the dreidle game, create spin-art cards for The Children's Hospital, build graham cracker houses, and assemble "Joy Balls" to give to loved ones. Email Kerridwen at khenry(at)rruuc.org if you'd like to help.
December 21 (Tues) Multigenerational Winter Solstice Service
We'll come together on the longest night of the year with a fire, hot chocolate, and chili. We'll celebrate the spiritual value of winter, darkness and rest/hibernation.
December 24 Christmas Pageant
The Christmas Eve service at 5:00 is a participatory celebration especially designed for the entire family featuring a Pageant led by our children. Email Ginger at gluke(at)rruuc.org if you'd like to be part of the Pageant.
January 22 Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre
Older school-aged children and families are invited to this event run by high school youth. Follow along with the clues and guess whodunit!
February 6 Stone Soup Sunday
Each service begins with a dramatic telling of the Stone Soup story. River Road members of all ages bring ingredients to make our own Stone Soup (children bring cut vegetables and youth and adults bring cheese and bread), and then we share the meal after each service. Email Kerridwen at khenry(at)rruuc.org if you'd like to help out.
Spring Family Events
Mid February
Mystery Pals Program Begins
Children who participate in Mystery Pals are paired with an adult or teen, and each tries to discover the other's identity through notes and letters delivered over several weeks to a special mailbox. The fun concludes with an ice cream social between services.
March 23
Easter Celebrations for elementary students in the Fireside Room.
April 4
Teacher Appreciation Dinner
April 20
Earth Day Celebration
Flower Communion Sunday, and Environmental Expo after each service. Members and friends bring flowers to share at the service.
April
Passover Seder with Beth Chai Congregation
Mid April
Mystery Pals Party between services
April 27
Youth-Led Sunday Services
May 18
Last Two-Service Sunday until Fall
End of school year Sunday School Program
May 25
One Service at 10:00 a.m.
Summer Program begins with an all-ages Memorial Day Celebration in the Fireside Room and on the Patio. Stories about famous Unitarian Universalists are followed by a memorial service on the patio. The children make tombstones and flowers and act as ministers, giving eulogies.