Children & Youth
Welcome
Our mission is to provide a safe and sacred space where children and youth can learn, share, and grow; where their gifts, creativity, and diversity are honored and affirmed; and where we nurture the essential building blocks of a spiritual, loving, healthy, compassionate, and proactive community.
Every week during the service we recite our Children and Youth Affirmation:
Our Children and Youth Ministry is rooted in creating a safe, sacred, and joyful space where young people can learn, grow, explore, and play as they deepen their spiritual lives within a loving community.

Welcome — I’m Dawn MacKechnie, Director of Children and Youth Ministries.
I was raised Unitarian Universalist and have spent my life growing up, showing up, and learning in UU community. Children and youth ministry is my soul work — shaped by my own experience as a UU kid, a parent, an artist, and a lifelong learner. I believe deeply in creating spaces where children and youth feel safe, curious, creative, and known, and where families are welcomed just as they are.
I’m Jen, Nursery Coordinator and Children and Youth Program Assistant.
I’m a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and early childhood professional who feels deeply called to nurturing our youngest children. My work centers on helping families feel welcomed, supported, and cared for from the very beginning. I believe early childhood ministry is sacred work — rooted in gentleness, presence, and trust — and I’m honored to help create a loving first church experience for our littlest ones.
Please complete this form for EVERY child/youth (through grade 12) participating in the program. It will help us in our efforts to provide a meaningful, fun and safe program for all our children and youth.
Please feel free to contact Dawn MacKechnie, Director of Children and Youth Ministries with any questions using her email at DCYM at barnstableuu.org or call the church office at 508-362-6381.
