Family Ministry News

information for infants – high schoolers and their caregivers

2026-27 RE Registration is OPEN!

Click HERE to access the form on Realm


For information about our Religious Education program for children and youth, contact Beth or Laura. For assistance with Realm, email realmhelp@rruuc.org.

Family Ministry Calendar Sept–Dec 2026

Sunday, October 25

Worship Service and Religious Education Classes

10 am



This Sunday morning is all about Halloween! Coming in costume is encouraged! The fun begins with a costume parade in the Sanctuary and continues in the classrooms with games and crafts. Per tradition, the highlight of the morning will be the Haunted House hosted by our middle schoolers.

Children in Kindergarten–5th grade as well as preschool kids and any youth group teens who choose to will begin the morning in the sanctuary for the costume parade. From there, everyone will go to their assigned classrooms.

Middle Schoolers are asked to arrive a little early to ensure the Haunted House is ready to go!

Classroom Assignments:

Childcare/RE Play: room 20

K/1st: room 25

2nd/3rd: room 24

4th/5th: room 22

Middle School: Fiatfalva

OWL: Fireside Room

Youth Group: room 32

Remember, our Halloween celebration actually begins Friday evening. Read more below.

Game Night and Pot Luck,
Pumpkin Carving + Fire Pit,

Haunted House Set up

October 23, 6–9 pm

On Friday, Oct. 23 we'll gather for a combo Game Night and Pumpkin Carving event from 6–9 pm. Game Night and potluck dinner in the Fireside room, and pumpkin carving and fire pit on the patio. Bring your own pumpkins plus a game you love and something to add to the potluck table.

At the same time, just down the hall in Fiatfalva, middle schoolers will transform the room for the annual haunted house that will be visited by younger kids on the following Sunday.

Rev. James Galasinski's Installation

Sunday, October 25 at 4pm

All our invited to the Installation for our new minister, Rev. James, on Sunday, October 25. The worship service is 4–5:30 with a reception to follow.

If you have not yet RSVP'd to attend, please do so now. Childcare will be available during the service.

Volunteers are needed to make the installation a success. There are many ways to participate. Please see someone on the installation committee at the table on the bridge after service or email the committee at installation2026@rruuc.org. 

RRUUC Bazaar!

Set up: Nov. 8–13
Bazaar day: Nov. 14


River Road’s annual bazaar is a great opportunity for families to volunteer together. On Nov. 8—the first day of setup week—we’ll have food available for volunteers. On Tuesday, Nov. 10, we’ll have a dedicated space for families to gather and eat together between volunteering and choir practice.

In particular, we’re seeking older youth to serve as “runners,” moving donations into and round the building, after school during the week. Finally, joining the takedown team on Nov. 14, the day of the bazaar, will help make light work of getting the building ready for worship the next day.

You can sign up for these and other opportunities here. 

Remember: MCPS now allows youth to earn student service learning (SSL) hours when helping at the Bazaar!

Questions? Contact Bazaar@RRUUC.org.

RE Brunch: 11/1, 12/6, 1/10, 2/7, 3/7, 4/11, 5/2

Game Night: Fri. 10/23, 12/13, 2/21, 4/18, 5/23

Beth Irikura, Director of Lifespan Religious Education, birikura@rruuc.org

Laura Piervincenzi, Associate Director of Religious Education,

lpiervincenzi@rruuc.org